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
Safeguarding and the Clergy Discipline Measure
The National Safeguarding Panel recently considered the Clergy Discipline Measure in relation to safeguarding. In May a lawyer with experience in the measure gave a detailed presentation about the process. Following this, the June meeting had an in-depth discussion on whether the measure is fit for purpose. To take better account of safeguarding the measure … Continue reading Safeguarding and the Clergy Discipline Measure
NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL UPDATE
QUESTIONING THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK In the last week of March, I chaired my second meeting of the panel. In December, the panel supported my proposal to focus on fewer issues and to spend half of our meeting looking in depth at one area. We had agreed that we would look at the National … Continue reading NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING PANEL UPDATE
My First Synod
Last week I spent a day at the Church of England Synod. It was the first time I had attended a Synod. The order paper was incomprehensible, with references to draft amending canons, amendments and even a draft amending canon for revision, although later debates, such as one on homelessness, were more accessible. I enjoyed … Continue reading My First Synod
Interview with the Church Times – January 2019
"No one ‘should ever stop being vigilant’ of risks" - An interview with the Church Times, January 2019. Read the full article here: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/25-january/news/uk/no-one-should-ever-stop-being-vigilant-of-risks
First reflections…
On 17th September I took up my appointment as the first Independent Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel. Taking on a new role requires a period of time to establish who are the key people, and how the organisation is structured. As a Methodist I thought I would know about the Church of England, how … Continue reading First reflections…
