New safeguarding practice review policy approved by General Synod

General Synod has voted to approve new safeguarding codes of practice on; Managing and Reporting Safeguarding Concerns and Allegation and on Religious Communities (deemed approved). 

A Safeguarding Practice Review, SPR, has been jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark to look at the lessons to be learnt from the Church’s handling of the David Tudor case.

The final stages for publishing a National Register of Clergy, to strengthen safeguarding in the Church of England, are now underway.

Meg Munn, former MP and Government Minister, with a professional background in child and adult safeguarding issues, has been appointed as the first independent chair of the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Panel, (NSP).

Meeting of National Safeguarding Steering Group, NSSG, March 2023

The review group overseeing the independent review into the handling of alleged safeguarding issues regarding the former Dean of Christ Church, Oxford has announced that it is suspending its work.

Melissa Caslake, the Church of England’s national director of safeguarding, is moving on to a new role as Chief Officer for Children’s services for Devon County Council.

Summary of July meeting of National Safeguarding Steering Group 

Summary of September meeting 

It was announced that the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mountstephen, is joining the NSSG and will take on the role as Chair of the Redress Scheme Project Board. It was noted that the extensive programme of work in safeguarding will need additional new episcopal members. The Terms of Reference of the group also need to be reviewed to ensure that they are fit for purpose in the context of the implementation of the Independent Safeguarding Board.