The National Safeguarding Panel meeting considered the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). We welcomed Zena Marshall, Interim Safeguarding Director and David Worlock, Deputy Director from the National Safeguarding Team, William Nye, Secretary General, Archbishops’ Council and Jonathan Gibbs, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding. The panel recognised the complexity … Continue reading Implementing the IICSA recommendations
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL
Introduction This report covers the work of the National Safeguarding Panel during the calendar year 2020. It was an unusual year with the need to adapt to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Panel held its first meeting of the year in person but since the March lockdown all other meetings were online. The meetings continued … Continue reading ANNUAL REPORT 2020 NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL
Archbishops and Bishops
The National Safeguarding Panel invited both Archbishops to answer questions on safeguarding. They attended our December meeting via Zoom for around an hour each. Below is a summary of the key areas of the discussions. Wrong-footed The first question was ‘what they thought had gone well with safeguarding?’ – which wrong footed both Archbishops. Within … Continue reading Archbishops and Bishops
Past Cases Review 2
In May 2007, the House of Bishops recognised the need for a review of past cases of child abuse. This followed court appearances by several clergy and church officers, charged with sexual offences against children. What became known as the Past Cases Review 2007-2009 (PCR) was intended to ensure that any risks to children were … Continue reading Past Cases Review 2
First reflections on IICSA’s second report
Last week the Independent Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) produced its investigation report into the Anglican Church, which covers the Church of England and the Church of Wales. It is 170 pages long, with the conclusions running to 7 pages. There are eight recommendations of which two are solely for the Church of England, … Continue reading First reflections on IICSA’s second report
TIME FOR REVIEW
The National Safeguarding Panel again used Zoom for its September meeting given the pandemic. The Panel expect to meet remotely for the foreseeable future. We welcomed a new Panel member, Kevin Ball, who has extensive experience working in children’s social work. He replaces Roger Singleton, who has completed his term. There were two major items: … Continue reading TIME FOR REVIEW
FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON REDRESS
In my March blog I wrote about the discussion on redress which was held at the February Synod. It was an important moment, with Synod endorsing the need for a formal redress scheme, and I committed the National Safeguarding Panel to discussing the issue at its next meeting. However, the pandemic meant our usual meeting … Continue reading FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON REDRESS
ZOOMING ALONG
Due to the Covid-19 crisis the National Safeguarding Panel did not hold its usual meeting in May, instead using the Zoom meeting app we met for 90 minutes with members of the National Safeguarding Team (NST). Our focus was a consultation presented by the NST on proposed new guidance for reviews of major cases. These … Continue reading ZOOMING ALONG
SAFEGUARDING ADULTS
Much of the conversation around safeguarding focuses on children, yet we know from the work of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors that in the Church adults are a very significant part of the workload. A few statistics highlight this. Between 2015 and 2017 there was an increase of 78% in safeguarding concerns and allegations received by Diocesan … Continue reading SAFEGUARDING ADULTS
SYNOD DISCUSSES REDRESS
Over the last few weeks, the corona virus has rightly concerned everyone and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This inevitably means cancellation of face to face meetings and a delay to some work on safeguarding. Following Government advice and giving priority to staying healthy is the right thing to do. I … Continue reading SYNOD DISCUSSES REDRESS
