Safeguarding

The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community so that all can flourish in faith and know the love of God.

We all have a responsibility to care for one another, and to keep people safe from harm, and it is especially important that children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Our work is based on the following six safeguarding commitments, agreed on by the bishops of the Church of England in 2017;

Promoting a safer environment and culture
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church
Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
Responding to those that may pose a present a risk to others

Safeguarding Nationally

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)

For more information about these areas of work please click here

Safeguarding in the Diocese of York

For Safeguarding advice contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Rob Marshall on 01904 699509, mb.07914 668907 or email: [email protected].
For Safeguarding Training contact the Events Administrator on 01904 699508 or [email protected].
For Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) enquiries contact the Diocesan DBS Administrator on 01904 202561 or [email protected]

If your query relates to a safeguarding issue within the Diocese of York you can also find information by clicking here

Safeguarding in a different Diocese

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

Disclosing Abuse

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 to the Office of the Archbishop of York you can contact the Provincial Safeguarding Adviser, Sukhbir Singh at tel. 01904 707021 (main reception), or at email: [email protected]

Alternatively, you could speak to one of the Archbishop’s Chaplains by calling 01904 707021. There is a female and a male chaplain, and you could ask to speak to either of them.

Support for those affected by abuse

If you are a survivor of abuse in a church context, and would like to talk to someone about this, the 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 here or Telephone: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
or Email: [email protected]

Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm
Saturday 9-1pm
Sunday 1-5pm

If you would value support from people who have been through similar experiences, you can contact MACSAS, Minsters and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors. 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. Please see their website at www.macsas.org.uk.

The following groups may also be of help:

Child-line: 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 (free phone number for landlines and mobile phones and open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Hourglass Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm). 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.
The National Association of People Abused in Childhood: Helpline: 0800 801 0331 www.napac.org.uk

Further information about available support on a number of issues can be found at the BBC Action Line webpage

Past Cases Review 2 for the National Church Institutions

The Past Cases Review 2 was carried out in the National Church Institutions, including the offices of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Reports were published 5 October 2022

Read the Church of England Past Cases Review 2 Project Final Report here

Independent Safeguarding Audit from SCIE

The independent audit by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) of Bishopthorpe Palace’s safeguarding arrangements was published 31 January 2023.

The SCIE audit was part of a national programme covering Church of England dioceses, cathedrals and palaces. The audit seeks to support safeguarding improvements across governance and leadership, policies and practice guidance, case-work, recruitment and training, ensuring that all offices have the best possible practice in place.

Read the report in full here

NCI Safeguarding Privacy Notice Safeguarding Records Retention

Survey for initial response to the Jay report

A survey has been published for anyone who wishes to make an initial response to the recommendations made by Professor Jay in her report on the Future of Church Safeguarding. The report from Professor Alexis Jay, former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, makes recommendations for a new independent safeguarding and scrutiny body for the Church of England. Professor Jay was commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to carry out this work in July 2023 and her report was published in February 2024.

Survey findings will be presented to the Wilkinson/Jay Response Group (see revised Terms of Reference) and will be available on the Church of England website. All survey responses are anonymous and no names or identifying details will be requested or produced. The survey closes on April 18.

Further information on safeguarding in the Church and independence

Have you contacted Bishopthorpe Palace regarding safeguarding? How did we do?

If you would like to take part in a survey to help improve our understanding of responses to safeguarding please click on the link below. The survey should take no more than two minutes to complete. Thank you.

Complete the survey now