CoE bishop chosen to co-chair parliamentary group on safeguarding

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Joanne Grenfell, has been chosen to co-chair Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Safeguarding in Faith Communities.

Grenfell has been the Church of England’s Lead Safeguarding Bishop for 3 years and in February was heavily involved in a variety of latest safeguarding measures passed by the Church at its synod.

At the time Grenfell said the brand new measures amounted to “a single, unified system that brings independence and scrutiny together”. The latest system is designed, she argues, to deliver consistent safeguarding practice in any respect levels of the Church and so restore trust.

Grenfell received the support of the brand new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, who from her first days in post made it clear that improving safeguarding was a top priority.

As a diocesan bishop, Grenfell also holds a seat within the House of Lords. As Co-Chair of the APPG, her role might be to facilitate cross-party collaboration to enhance safeguarding in faith communities up and down the country.

Upon her appointment, Grenfell said, “I even have a vision of church and faith communities working together to advertise healthy culture, smart leadership, and powerful accountability in every faith setting.

“I think that to achieve this will strengthen the ways through which we are able to prevent abuse and can help us higher to listen to, look after, and work with victims and survivors.

“I’m excited to be invited to co-chair this APPG with Ruth Jones MP, to bring one of the best of parliamentary scrutiny and collaboration to this task.”

Labour MP Ruth Jones also serves as a Co-Chair on the APPG and welcomed Grenfell to her latest role.

“I do appreciate that Bishop Joanne is comparatively latest to the Lords, but I’m so pleased she has agreed to take up the co-chair role. She brings a wealth of information and experience that might be invaluable because the APPG moves forward with its vital work,” she said.