This Safeguarding Sunday we wanted to lift the lid on how this important work is carried out in our diocese.
Our professional safeguarding team is led by our Head of Safeguarding Dr Louise Whitehead. The team comprises of four area safeguarding advisors, a training officer, a DBS specialist and administrative support. The team draw on their experience from previous careers in both policing and social care.
Together the team support parishes by providing safeguarding training, safeguarding advice and leading on safeguarding case management. They also work alongside and support our clergy and PSOs to help ensure we have positive safeguarding cultures within our churches.
Bishop Gavin, our lead bishop for safeguarding, said: “Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone in the church and such important work couldn’t be done without the support, and generosity of our network of Parish Safeguarding Officers.
“I know that churches and church schools in our diocese continue to do their utmost to ensure children, young people and vulnerable adults are kept safe. That said, we are never complacent, we continue to learn and grow.”
In June 2024 the diocese underwent an independent audit of our safeguarding work, undertaken by the INEQE Safeguarding Group. The audit is part of a national programme, commissioned by the Archbishop’s Council, to conduct an intensive and comprehensive review of safeguarding at each diocese and cathedral in the Church of England.
The report’s authors found the diocese to have ‘a solid safeguarding foundation delivered by its exceptionally well-led and blended Safeguarding Team’. The report commended what it described as a ‘safeguarding first’ philosophy and congratulated our parishes for the sense of optimism it found on the frontline ‘where talented Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) lead by example’ and ‘collaboration is strong’.
A service to celebrate the contribution our PSOs make to the life of the diocese and to lament for those how have experienced abuse in a church context will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, 23 November. If you would like to attend, sign up for a ticket online.