Safeguarding

Lambeth Palace has published a Safeguarding Action Plan in response to the independent audit published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in February.

The purpose of the SCIE report was to gain a greater understanding of the safeguarding policies at Lambeth Palace and its culture. Sixty-five recommendations were set out in the report.

In response to the SCIE audit, Lambeth Palace and Archbishop Justin Welby committed to creating an Action Plan to continue improving safeguarding at the Palace. In order to be accountable and transparent, that plan is published here and will be followed by yearly updates.

You can read the full Safeguarding Action Plan.

February’s Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Independent Safeguarding Audit of Lambeth Palace can be read in full HERE.

As part of the Past Cases Review 2 into safeguarding practice across the Church of England, Lambeth Palace has published the summary and recommendations from the independent review of files held by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Southern Province.

In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a Past Cases Review (PCR), which was a large-scale review into its handling of child protection cases over many years. An independent scrutiny report followed, which highlighted a number of shortcomings, including the lack of survivor engagement. As a result, PCR2 was commissioned.

PCR2’s purpose was to identify both good and bad practice in relation to how allegations of abuse in the Church of England have been handled, and to provide recommendations so improvements can be made.

As part of PCR2, independent safeguarding experts reviewed all files held by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace for the Southern Province. The Southern Province consists of 30 dioceses. The summary and recommendations of the Lambeth Palace PCR2 report are published today.

Read the summary and recommendations of the Lambeth Palace Past Cases Review 2 Project.

Read the Church of England’s Past Cases Review 2 Project final report.

For safeguarding advice, contact Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers:

• Paul Brightwell: 07398 009 951 or [email protected]
• Fiona Coombs: 07548 232 395 or [email protected]

For safeguarding training:

• Katy Harper, Safeguarding Trainer: 01227 473 565 or [email protected]

For Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enquiries:

• Karen Carolan-Evans, Safeguarding Administrator: 01227 459401 or [email protected]

If your query relates to a safeguarding issue within the Diocese of Canterbury, you can also find information at canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding.

The National Safeguarding Team (NST) is involved with;

• Developing and implementing national policy
• Casework on complex and high-profile cases
• Commissioning lessons learned reviews
• National survivor support and engagement work
• Co-ordinating independent diocesan safeguarding audits
• Strengthening and supporting national safeguarding networks
• Engagement with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

Learn more about the work of the National Safeguarding Team.

All 42 dioceses of the Church of England employ a Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA). A DSA is the first point of call for someone wishing to report an allegation of abuse. They manage allegations, advise survivors and work closely with external agencies. They are also involved with training, policies and procedures.

You can find your local Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser by clicking here.

For safeguarding advice, please contact the Lambeth Palace Safeguarding Manager at [email protected].

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

Details of the safeguarding team based in your diocese can be found via the relevant diocesan website. You can find your local Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser by clicking here.

If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly, please contact [email protected] (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm service, in emergencies contact police on 999).

If you are a survivor of abuse in a church context, and would like to talk to someone about this, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) in your area will be able to talk you through the different options available for you. You can find your local DSA by clicking here.

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

You can contact the Safe Spaces team online, call 0300 303 1056 or email [email protected].

If you would value support from people who have been through similar experiences, you can contact Minsters and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS). MACSAS is a support group for women and men from Christian backgrounds who have been sexually abused by Ministers or Clergy, as children or as adults.

The following groups may also be of help:

• Childline: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
• Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to. It is a free phone number for landlines and mobile phones.
• Hourglass: Hourglass will provide support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect. Call 0800 801 0331 (free phone Monday to Friday 9am-5pm).
• The National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): Helpline: 0800 801 0331.