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.

Statements regarding BBC File on Four Blackburn Cathedral case
 

Article for Civil Society magazine by lead safeguarding bishop Joanne Woolway Grenfell on safeguarding governance in the Church of England.

Church of England response to BBC File on Four Programme relating to the David Tudor, a priest who was prohibited from ministry for life in October. 

Church of England submission on Government consultation on mandatory reporting

The Revd Lynda Davies, Rector of All Saints Cottenham, in Ely Diocese has been appointed to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Panel as a parish clergy member. 

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.

NEWS / Timing of publication of independent review of the processes used in the Bishop George Bell case.

NEWS / The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, Chair of the Churches National safeguarding committee, made the following comments to the Press Association in response to Home Secretary Theresa May's announcement yesterday that there will be two inquiries into alleged child abuse and cover up in Westminster in the 1970s and 80s. 

Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, opened the meeting and highlighted what he described as the cultural resistance to and complexity of achieving real change in the Church and the personal pressure this puts on safeguarding leaders.