“It’s a fudge!” - Church of England's Safeguarding Reform Fails to Impress

The Church of England’s decision to increase oversight of abuse complaints, while falling short of independence, has sparked understandable heated debate.

Despite the Church's efforts to restore trust among survivors after a string of recent scandals, the decision has been met with criticism from victims, advocates, and senior Church leaders who argue that the measures do not go far enough.

The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, told reporters that she's "furious" with the Synod's decision.?

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The Importance of Accessible and Transparent Reporting

At EBC Global, we firmly believe in and actively promote the importance of making it far easier and safer for victims of abuse, as well as witnesses or third parties, to report incidents of abuse.

This issue is clearly not resolved by these lightweight reforms laid out by the Church of England.?Safeguarding must be a top priority, and the process for reporting abuse should be:

? Accessible – So survivors feel empowered to come forward.

? Transparent – Ensuring complaints are handled fairly and without bias.

? Supportive – Providing victims with the security and reassurance they need.

Only then can survivors feel heard, supported, and protected.?

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The Need for Independent Investigations

The recent reforms at the Church of England serve as a reminder that impartiality in investigating all incidents and claims of abuse is essential.

Independent and unbiased investigations are vital in maintaining the integrity of any robust safeguarding process.

The people responsible for investigating allegations must be completely free from conflicts of interest and be committed to seeking the truth.?

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A Missed Opportunity for Real Reform

Commentators have highlighted the Church's unwillingness to grasp a total overhaul of its safeguarding policies.

The Synod's decision has been described as a "fudge," with survivors feeling let down and expressing concerns that the Church is not doing enough.

This sentiment underscores the need for a culture change within the Church to ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent future incidents.?

Lessons from the Worker Protection Act?

The Church could and should have learned valuable lessons from the Worker Protection Act, which came into law on October 26th 2024, providing guidance on handling sexual harassment.

The Act emphasises the importance of taking reasonable steps to prevent abuse and create a safe environment.

These principles can and should be applied to safeguarding practices, ensuring that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent future incidents.?

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How EBC Global Can Help

By implementing robust safeguarding measures and promoting impartial investigations, organisation can create a safer environment for everyone.

Organisations must take a proactive approach to safeguarding, ensuring that all individuals feel safe and supported when coming forward with allegations of abuse.?

The Church of England's recent vote on safeguarding highlights the ongoing challenges in creating an independent oversight mechanism.

While some progress towards prioritising the safety and well-being of all individuals has been made, it is evident that more needs to be done to rebuild trust in the Church and ensure that survivors' voices are heard.?

At EBC Global, we provide employment screening solutions that help organisations strengthen their safeguarding policies. Our technology ensures thorough background checks, helping organisations identify risks before they become problems.

If your organisation is looking to improve its safeguarding and compliance processes, EBC Global is here to help.

Book a chat with our team