Meeting of the National Safeguarding Panel, July 2024

This main focus of our July meeting was on scrutinising the safeguarding standards which were launched nine months ago, and exploring how they were being embedded and their impact at parish, diocesan and cathedral level. The Panel were pleased to welcome representation from two dioceses at PSO and DSA level as well as NST representation.

Use of safeguarding standards

The Panel asked about the current level of use of the standards across all dioceses and if there were any dioceses, parishes or cathedrals intentionally avoiding using the standards. They were advised that there is regular contact with dioceses and cathedrals, and the feedback indicates that there is no diocese that is avoiding adopting the standards. The INEQE audit is based on the standards, and this has encouraged dioceses to engage with them. It was also encouraging to see the standards being used more widely including for interview panels and it was hoped that they will help to change the culture.

In terms of impact and outcomes, the Panel were advised that it was too early to measure outcomes. However, the quality assurance activity and the audits will help to identify emerging themes which NST can follow up with the diocesan leads. The first outcome is for a general understanding of the standards so it will lead to better practice.

Individual standards

The NSP explored the 5 individual standards as part of the scrutiny session:

Standard 1

In looking at what has helped to promote standard 1, one PSO highlighted they had collaborated with clergy within the parish and they formed a small group for support in managing safeguarding issues. This had been effective and showed the importance of local support at ground level. Where this support is missing this can be a challenge.

Standard 2

The dashboard is an important tool to help dioceses to see how parishes are engaging with safeguarding. The panel were advised that the dashboard data is currently held in Dioceses however once development work has been completed the data will be held nationally so the national picture about its use will become clearer. The dashboard will also incorporate the safeguarding standards. A PSO advised that it can be hard to get PSOs engaged with the dashboard, but once they do the feedback on its use is positive.

Standard 3

The Panel were interested in what arrangements were in place to assist parishes where risk assessment skills were not readily available. A DSA advised that risk assessments are done collaboratively with support from the Diocese. This area is also being included in the four-day risk assessment briefings and the quality assurance and audit work. The importance of providing support to PSOs was recognised.

Standard 4

The NST leads explained that it was too early to report on whether there has been any improvement in the reporting of abuse since the standards were introduced however, they should be in a position to do this after a year when it is hoped the data and audits will provide the relevant breadth and depth of information required. In terms of accessing support, the NST are working with other partners to ensure the necessary support is available.

Standard 5

It was noted that the Learning and Development Framework had been discussed and approved at the July General Synod and the response from General Synod had been very encouraging. It was acknowledged that training can be time consuming and the level of compliance will vary as not all Dioceses have the capacity or measure the compliance. It was pointed out that the standards are a learning tool to improve the quality of safeguarding and therefore not all dioceses will have high levels of compliance in all areas of the standards.

Panel recommendations

The scrutiny session provided a good insight into the implementation of the safeguarding standards and the positive work being undertaken to embed them across the church. The Panel identified seven recommendations which aim to seek clarity on the support and resources available for those delivering the standards, sharing the hallmarks of successful implementation across the church, disseminating the framework with safeguarding professionals outside the Church, evaluating the impact of the standards, clarifying the role of DSAPs in overseeing the standards, and seeking feedback from survivor networks on the delivery of the standards. The NSP also asked for further exploration and advice to be sought in relation to dealing with any instances of non-compliance that may occur with the standards.

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See the 2023 annual report of the National Safeguarding Panel.