SAFEGUARDING within the diocese of Chichester has made “impressive progress”, an independent audit has concluded. It describes the dioceses’ safeguarding team as “well-led and highly skilled”.
The audit was conducted by the INEQE Safeguarding Group, and is the ninth of its kind to be published.
In Chichester, it identified “courageous approaches where the church went beyond expectations, setting an example of the way to manage risk, even when statutory partners were unable or unwilling to accomplish that”.
The report, published on Tuesday, commends the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, whose handling of cases examined by the auditors showed “authoritative motion, coupled with appropriate compassion”.
Dr Warner had “relentlessly driven” improvements in safeguarding, it says, with a “firm grip, a safeguarding focus and at pace”.
It continues: “However, there are concerns that the Diocesan Bishop’s leadership style may inhibit people’s willingness to talk up and challenge him.” Dr Warner had “agreed he needed to do more to make sure people feel they will engage with and, when appropriate, challenge him”, the report says.
The report suggests that this was a priority expressed by a minority of those with whom they engaged, and that the diocesan safeguarding officer (DSO), Colin Perkins, reported a “excellent working relationship” with Dr Warner.
INEQE also praises the Bishop of Horsham, the Rt Revd Ruth Bushyager, who supports Dr Warner in safeguarding, and the Diocesan Secretary, John Preston.
The report recommends that the part played by the archdeacons within the diocese be amended to position responsibility for safeguarding within the foreground, and that membership of the independent Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel be bolstered.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is described as “exceptionally well led” by Mr Perkins. “Goodwill and dedication are exemplary” amongst staff members.
The audit raises concerns about capability, nonetheless, saying that the “current workload isn’t sustainable”. The team, it says, is “overburdened with a high volume of cases, leaving little bandwidth to administer critical incidents or unexpected extractions” (staff absences).
Concerns about capability also got here up within the audits of other dioceses, including Exeter, Newcastle, Bristol, and Worcester. As in other dioceses, INEQE recommends the creation of a recent post of Director of Safeguarding.
Diocesan safeguarding teams are funded locally slightly than by the Church Commissioners, although the INEQE audit programme has been paid for by central funds.
The General Synod will vote next month on changes to the structure of safeguarding provision within the Church (News, 20 December). Members will choose from two models, considered one of which might mean that diocesan safeguarding can be transferred to a recent independent body.
Safeguarding in Chichester had a “very low place to begin”, the report says: at one point, the diocese was “synonymous with clergy offending and breaches of trust”.
This history, which incorporates the abuse perpetrated by a former Bishop of Lewes, Peter Ball, was referred to in a joint statement issued by Dr Warner and the Dean of Chichester, the Very Revd Dr Edward Dowler, on Tuesday.
“We are aware that for a lot of survivors of abuse, the fact of those failings is ever present. That reality stands as a continuing reminder of the vital importance of doing all we are able to to make sure continuous improvement of our safeguarding practice, and we want to placed on record our profound thanks for the massive efforts required across the diocese to supply the changes INEQE discover of their report,” they write.
Dr Warner and Dr Dowler pay particular tribute to the hassle made by “clergy and laity in parishes across the diocese, and on the cathedral, who proceed to work tirelessly to be certain that children and adults are secure in our churches”.
They write that there may be “no place for complacency in our striving to make our churches secure spaces for all”, and pledge that the recommendations made by INEQE shall be fastidiously considered “to be certain that our safeguarding practice and provision proceed to reflect the best possible standards”.
Chichester Cathedral was also audited by INEQE, and Dr Dowler’s “clear vision” on safeguarding is praised. The Chapter, the report says, is “increasingly safeguarding-aware and competent”.
Its chief advice for the cathedral again pertains to capability. It recommends the employment of a “suitably qualified Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser”, to support further progress.
The full report is obtainable on the Church of England website.
