“THE time for review has passed, and now could be the time for motion” on safeguarding, the chief executive of the Charity Commission, David Holdsworth, said this week, in a highly unusual intervention from the regulators.
In a letter published on Friday, Mr Holdsworth wrote to members of the General Synod who’re also trustees of Church of England charities, reminding them of their “duty to take reasonable steps to guard from harm individuals who come into contact” with a charity of which they’re a trustee.
“Trustees should be certain that processes, procedures and training are fit for purpose and enable them to effectively discharge their duties in relation to safeguarding. This includes being satisfied that, where concerns are raised, appropriate motion is taken in a timely manner and processes are in place in order that safeguarding concerns usually are not in a position to be ignored or covered up,” Mr Holdsworth wrote.
In a press release announcing the letter, Mr Holdsworth said that the Makin review had “underlined concerns concerning the sufficiency of changes made by the Church of England in implementing improvements to safeguarding”. He called on the Church to make use of “its legal powers if needed to expedite the motion required”.
The Charity Commission has been engaging with the Church of England on its response to the Makin review, and had a gathering with representatives of the National Church Institutions, including the Archbishop of York, earlier this month.
At the February meeting of Synod, members will debate and vote on two models of independent safeguarding (News, 24 January).
The General Synod just isn’t a registered charity, and so just isn’t regulated by the Charity Commission. However, a lot of its members are trustees of charities inside the Church of England.
Addressing these members, Mr Holdsworth said that it was essential that “you remain aware of your legal trustee duties during debate and voting on relevant Synod business such that you just are satisfied the changes will enable you to comply along with your duty to take reasonable steps to maintain all who come into contact along with your charity secure”.
As of this summer, all 41 Church of England cathedrals are registered charities (News, 26 July 2024).
On Friday afternoon, the Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, who’s the lead bishop for safeguarding, acknowledged the letter from Mr Holdsworth. “We proceed to interact constructively and positively with the Commission and we thank them for his or her ongoing advice and interest,” she said.
She outlined the work that was being done to answer the Makin review, including the consideration of disciplinary cases against individuals criticised within the report (News, 16 January).
The National Safeguarding Steering Group was examining Mr Makin’s recommendations, she said.
