NEWS / Synod voted today that proposals for draft legislation to enable the Church of England to deal more effectively with safeguarding issues be brought forward.

At its April meeting General Synod unanimously approved the draft Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure which strengthens and clarifies the obligation to follow safeguarding guidance. 

General Synod approves next steps for national redress scheme at its November 2023 sitting 

Summary of presentation on safeguarding independence and synod debate on safeguarding

General Synod voted today to acknowledge and apologise for past safeguarding wrongs. It also voted to endorse work on legislative and non-legislative changes to tighten procedures which have been identified following the Chichester Commissaries interim and final safeguarding reports.

NEWS / The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Hancock, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop addressed February’s Synod on national developments and the Church’s preparation for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA.

general synod debate on the Makin Review, published in November, which looked at the Church's handling of the horrendous abuse by the late John Smyth

Safe Spaces is planned as a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse across the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

General Synod voted unanimously today to endorse the Church’s response to the five recommendations from IICSA and urged its national safeguarding steering group to work towards a more fully survivor-centred approach to safeguarding, including arrangements for redress for survivors.

Safeguarding presentation to General Synod from national safeguarding director Alexander Kubeyinje and lead safeguarding bishop Jonathan Gibbs