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
ANNUAL REPORT 2019 NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL
Introduction The National Safeguarding Panel was established in 2014 and was chaired by the lead bishop for safeguarding. In May 2018 the Church advertised the role of independent chair of the panel, in order to bring greater independence to its work. Following a recruitment process, Meg Munn was appointed and took up her role in … Continue reading ANNUAL REPORT 2019 NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL
Church of England’s response to IICSA
In March 2018, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) held three weeks of public hearings about the Diocese of Chichester, and in July 2018, one week of hearings on Bishop Peter Ball. IICSA’s findings for these two case studies, with a set of recommendations, were published on 9 May 2019. The National Safeguarding … Continue reading Church of England’s response to IICSA
BBC Documentary
Last week the BBC screened two programmes about sexual abuse in the Church of England, focusing first on the former bishop, Peter Ball, and then on other abusers. The programmes outlined not only the abuse, but also the failures by some in authority to report relevant information which effectively protected the abusers. The documentary exposed … Continue reading BBC Documentary
Complaints
A few months ago, the National Safeguarding Steering Group, who oversee the Church’s safeguarding work, proposed the establishment of an ombudsman service for safeguarding complaints. The National Safeguarding Panel were consulted and felt that this would not resolve significant problems with the current complaints processes. The National Safeguarding Steering Group subsequently agreed that there needed … Continue reading Complaints
Focus on prevention
The first National Safeguarding Panel after the summer was the last meeting for Graham Tilby, the National Safeguarding Advisor, who is leaving for a new post in local government, and the first for Melissa Caslake in her new job as Director of Safeguarding. Sir Roger Singleton, who has been Interim Director of Safeguarding, will be … Continue reading Focus on prevention
Presenting to the Synod
On Sunday afternoon during July’s Synod ninety minutes was timetabled for a discussion on safeguarding within the church. The first half hour consisted of questions about safeguarding. A printed copy of questions previously submitted by Synod members with answers from the Church was handed out. Synod members had the opportunity to ask supplementary questions on … Continue reading Presenting to the Synod
