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.

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.

NEWS / The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, lead bishop on safeguarding has issued a statement today following various media comments on his recent contribution in the House of Lords regarding Bishop George Bell.

NEWS / In June 2014 one of the Church of England's safeguarding advisers contacted the Police with information concerning individuals against whom allegations had been made to a priest in the 1980s.

STATEMENT / Statement issued by the National Safeguarding Team.

Following the establishment of the National Safeguarding Team in 2015 - replacing a 0.5 national post - the Archbishops' Council has recently reviewed its structure and after consultation will be advertising for a Director of Safeguarding.

A recent media report about the Church of England’s Redress Scheme contained inaccuracies and misleading information, which we are sorry has caused distress to survivors.

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. 

A resource to help local churches do some theological thinking around safeguarding has been published today by the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC), in response to a request by the lead bishop for safeguarding, the Rt Rev Paul Butler.

The BBC has confirmed it is screening a documentary on the Peter Ball case.