FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INEQE Safeguarding Group Publishes First Annual Report on Independent Safeguarding Audits of the Church of England

The INEQE Safeguarding Group has published its first Annual Report on the Independent Safeguarding Audits of the Church of England (CofE) carried out during 2024.

A spokesperson for the INEQE Audit team said, “We are releasing our annual report, detailing the independent safeguarding audits conducted throughout 2024, at the beginning of General Synod. We recognise this is a pivotal time for the Church of England and hope our evidence-based findings will provide significant food for thought for those members tasked with the responsibility of deciding the future direction of travel for the Church.

Our findings highlight a positive trajectory, reflecting improved safeguarding practices led by Diocesan Safeguarding Teams. These teams comprise individuals with significant experience of working in statutory agencies and other relevant organisations, ensuring a robust and informed approach to safeguarding within church settings.

The report highlights key themes, examples of authoritative leadership, good practice, and targeted recommendations to support the CofE’s ongoing improvement journey.

Crucially, we propose recommendations that, if adopted, would introduce a new safeguarding model blending operationally independent safeguarding within the existing governance structures of church bodies. This approach would deliver internal operational independence, ensure church bodies and their governing bodies are accountable, and facilitate effective working with an external scrutiny regime.

We believe this would work best within option three of the Jay response group recommendation.

Key Findings from the Audit:

• The audit covered 10 Diocesan Boards of Finance (DBFs) and 9 cathedrals.
• Over 4,000 safeguarding-related documents were reviewed.
• More than 5,700 individuals were engaged.
• Insights were gathered from over 4,600 survey respondents.
• Focus groups and semi-structured discussions were conducted with key staff, volunteers, and victims and survivors.

Survey Overview:

• The overwhelming majority of respondents reported feeling safe and respected within their place of worship or workplace.
• Most participants observed tangible improvements in safeguarding arrangements and recognised that a safeguarding culture was becoming embedded.
• Significantly, many respondents expressed confidence in their ability to speak truth to power, highlighting a shift towards greater openness and accountability.

This report underscores the progress made in safeguarding within church communities while setting out a clear pathway for continued improvement.

To read our CEO’s Foreword click here (page 3).

To use our CEO’s Opinion piece, click here.

For further information or media enquiries, please contact:

Tory Gaston
INEQE Safeguarding Group 02890232060
[email protected]

ENDS