Blog from new lead safeguarding bishop as he takes up the role.

Statements from Bishop Stephen, Archbishop Justin and the National Safeguarding Team.

From the Bishop of Huddersfield, Jonathan Gibbs, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop and Melissa Caslake the Church’s national director of safeguarding.

 

The Archbishops’ Council has voted unanimously that a proposal on interim independent oversight of the National Safeguarding Team is to be put in place before February Synod (2021) to pave the way for full independent oversight, by February Synod 2022. Both the Archbishops’ Council and the House of Bishops have already endorsed the principle of independence for the Church’s safeguarding work.

The Bishop of Huddersfield, Jonathan Gibbs was announced as the Church of England’s new lead safeguarding bishop in February 2020, taking over from Bishop Peter Hancock, the Bishop of Bath and Wells. In March 2022 it was announced that Bishop Jonathan was to be the next Bishop of Rochester but as planned would continue as the lead safeguarding bishop until the end of March 2023.

Places of worship will reopen for public worship from 2nd December

The Bishop of Bristol, Bishop Viv Faull has been appointed a deputy lead bishop for safeguarding, with a focus on liaison with diocesan bishops on behalf of the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) and with the wider Anglican Communion, and to speak on safeguarding in the House of Lords.

Work is underway in all 42 dioceses on the Church of England's Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) with a key focus on listening to survivors who want to come forward. The Church was criticised for not including their voices in the original PCR 2007/8 as shown in an independent scrutiny report, published in 2018.

A statement from the Bishop of London following the Government announcement that church buildings will be able to reopen for public worship from 4th July

We have been made aware of a complaint to the Charity Commission and of course will cooperate fully with any future process, because we are absolutely committed to the importance of safeguarding throughout the life of the Church of England.