No response yet · No statement from Church of England found
Recommended
The Church of England should introduce appropriate guidance which deals with safeguarding within the context of a religious community affiliated to the Church. It must ensure that these organisations meet adequate requirements for safeguarding and child protection. The needs of victims should be prioritised when designing safeguarding policies and practices. The regulation and management of religious communities should include a mandatory requirement both to have and to follow safeguarding guidance. The requirement to comply with this safeguarding guidance should be the same as would be expected in any other Church institution. There needs to be clarity in respect of how safeguarding should be managed in these communities, along with appropriate auditing of compliance.
Since then (summary written by this site)
This recommendation asks the Church of England to introduce mandatory safeguarding guidance for affiliated religious communities. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2019 response from the Church on a web page archived in August 2023, reported that the General Synod would consider Amending Canon No. 40 in July 2020 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). It noted that this amendment would add canon provisions for religious communities and that the National Safeguarding Team planned to revise practice guidance alongside new regulations (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). The summary highlighted plans to strengthen the safeguarding responsibilities of episcopal visitors, but did not mention auditing compliance or prioritising the needs of victims (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
Accepted · No statement from Church of England found
Recommended
The Church of England should amend the current canon requiring clerics to comply with the Bishop's Guidance on Safeguarding. The use of the words 'due regard' in Canon C30 is an acceptable term of art, but lacks sufficient clarity. Very few individuals who gave evidence to the Inquiry said they understood what this meant, including the Archbishop of Canterbury himself.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Inquiry asked the Church of England to amend its canon on safeguarding due regard. In legislation enacted in October 2021, the Church of England repealed provisions imposing a "duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance" under several church measures (Church of England response, Oct 2021). It substituted a requirement to comply with a safeguarding code of practice, though Canon C30 itself is not mentioned in the text (Church of England response, Oct 2021). The enactment provided that these repeals would come into force on days jointly appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York (Church of England response, Oct 2021). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of October 2021 (Church of England response, Oct 2021).
No response yet · No statement from Church of England found
Recommended
Individuals engaged in regulated activity who have failed to undergo a DBS check or complete compulsory training should not be permitted to hold voluntary offices within the Church. Failure by ordained clergy to comply with either requirement should result in disciplinary proceedings.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The recommendation calls for barring untrained or unvetted volunteers and disciplining noncompliant clergy. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, summarising a June 2019 response from the Church of England on a web page archived in August 2023, reported that its National Safeguarding Team would review guidance by December 2019 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). In that August 2023 account, it noted that the review of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook was intended to ensure that the position was reflected (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
No response yet · No statement from Church of England found
Recommended
If religious organisations have undertaken internal reviews or enquiries into individual safeguarding incidents, their findings should be sent to the national review body (set up under the Children and Social Work Act 2017).
Since then (summary written by this site)
Religious organisations should send internal safeguarding review findings to the national review body. In an update archived in August 2023, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that the Church of England stated in July 2022 that all independent learning lessons case reviews commissioned by the Archbishops' Council had been shared with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023). It also recorded in August 2023 that the church's National Director of Safeguarding would meet with the panel every six months, while updated review arrangements were due to be detailed in a forthcoming House of Bishops policy scheduled for consultation in September 2022 and approval in December 2022 (The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Aug 2023).
Noted · Ministry of Justice says in progress (4 November 2019; nothing later found)
Recommended
The government should amend Section 21 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 so as to include clergy within the definition of a position of trust. This would criminalise under s16-s20 sexual activity between clergy and a person aged 16-18, over whom they exercise pastoral authority, involving the abuse of a position of trust.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended amending sexual offences legislation to include clergy within positions of trust. In a letter of October 2019, published by the Ministry of Justice in November 2019, Chris Philp MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, stated that existing criminal law provided protections against sexual abuse and that a cross-government review of offences had been conducted (Chris Philp MP response, Oct 2019). The Minister explained that the government was considering the review's findings and would announce next steps in due course (Chris Philp MP, Nov 2019). Amending Section 21 to include clergy was not mentioned in the letter (Chris Philp MP response, Oct 2019; Chris Philp MP, Nov 2019).
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Cumulative total over 8 years. The inquiry ran from 2015 to October 2022, with final report published 20 October 2022. Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Annual expenditure (not cumulative). Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements - they may be included within Legal or Other costs. Other costs include safeguarding services, consultancy, and stationery.
Cumulative total over 8 years. The inquiry ran from 2015 to October 2022, with final report published 20 October 2022. Core participant legal costs were funded but not separately reported in IICSA financial statements.
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsRebecca Paul · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for sexual offences committed in nursery, pre-school or other early years settings, broken down by (i) sex of the offender, (ii) offence type and (iii) age of …
Answered by Ministry of Justice: This Government is resolutely committed to delivering meaningful change for victims of child sexual abuse and will do everything in its power to prevent the horrors of these appalling crimes. Cases of such abuse committed in nurseries and early years settings are particularly shocking. The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions and convictions for a wide range of offences, …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSuella Braverman · Reform UK
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the police on the potential merits of commissioning a further investigation into abuse at Grafton Close covering the full period the home was operational.
Answered by Home Office: The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring victims and survivors receive appropriate care and support and pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice. Operation Fernbridge was a police‑led investigation that has now closed. The Operation resulted in one conviction for the sexual assault of a child at Grafton Close. Decisions about the …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSuella Braverman · Reform UK
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) the timeframe and (b) other aspects of Operation Fernbridge for investigating allegations of child sexual abuse at Grafton Close children’s home.
Answered by Home Office: The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring victims and survivors receive appropriate care and support and pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice. Operation Fernbridge was a police‑led investigation that has now closed. The Operation resulted in one conviction for the sexual assault of a child at Grafton Close. Decisions about the …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsCameron Thomas · Liberal Democrat
Asked: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what criteria are used to assess whether safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England are adequate.
Answered by Church Commissioners: In response to the recommendations made in the IICSA Enquiry, an independent audit programme delivered by INEQE was commissioned across all dioceses, cathedrals & the National Safeguarding Team. INEQE use the National Safeguarding Standards to measure progress. The standards are available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/national-safeguarding-standards To date, INEQE have reviewed the National Safeguarding Team and 22 dioceses, including their cathedrals. 17 of …
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of LordsBaroness Smith of Malvern · Labour
Statement: My Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson MP) has made the following statement:In December I gave a statement to the House on the Metropolitan police investigation into child sexual abuse in Camden. Today, Vincent …
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of CommonsBridget Phillipson · Labour
Statement: In December I gave a statement to the House on the Metropolitan police investigation into child sexual abuse in Camden. Today, Vincent Chan is due to appear for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court in relation to 56 offences, to which he has pleaded guilty.His …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSarah Pochin · Reform UK
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to commission a national public awareness programme on child sexual abuse.
Answered by Home Office: The Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update, published in April last year, set out clearly the actions the Government is taking to respond to IICSA’s recommendations. We are now delivering on those commitments overseen by an inter-ministerial group on child sexual abuse chaired by the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls. Child Protection Authority Last month the …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSarah Pochin · Reform UK
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government intends to bring forward legislation to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse by designated professionals, in the context of the recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
Answered by Home Office: The Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update, published in April last year, set out clearly the actions the Government is taking to respond to IICSA’s recommendations. We are now delivering on those commitments overseen by an inter-ministerial group on child sexual abuse chaired by the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls. Child Protection Authority Last month the …
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay OBE, published its final report in October 2022 after seven years of investigation into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in England and Wales. The inquiry made 107 recommendations aimed at improving child protection across multiple sectors including criminal justice, education, religious institutions, and online safety.
The government's response shows 65 recommendations (61%) were accepted, 30 (28%) accepted in principle, and 12 (11%) not accepted. According to the progress updates, 41 recommendations (38%) are marked as completed, though this classification requires scrutiny of the actual evidence of implementation.
Published evidence indicates several concrete changes have occurred. The Online Safety Act 2023 incorporated provisions for age verification and child protection online. The Crime and Policing Bill introduced in February 2025 establishes mandatory reporting duties for child sexual abuse. The police complaints system removed time limits for historical abuse complaints in 2020. Religious institutions, particularly the Church of England and Church in Wales, introduced new safeguarding measures and governance structures.
However, significant gaps remain between acceptance and action. Many recommendations accepted in 2022 show limited published evidence of progress. The creation of a Child Protection Authority for England remains at consultation stage. Professional registration schemes for care workers and youth custody staff continue under review despite being recommended. The government rejected extending Disclosure and Barring Service checks to UK nationals working overseas, stating it could not legislate for employment practices in foreign countries.
The pattern emerging from the evidence suggests institutional willingness to accept recommendations but slower progress on implementation requiring legislative change or significant resource allocation. Where progress has occurred, it has often been in areas requiring policy updates rather than structural reform. The three-year gap since publication has seen movement on some fronts, particularly in online safety and mandatory reporting, but many core recommendations addressing systemic issues await substantive action beyond initial acceptance.
Reforms attributed to this inquiry · AI-generated- The Online Safety Act 2023 introduced provisions requiring providers of regulated services to conduct assessments of whether children are likely to access their service, with age verification provisions to be enforced from July 2025 - The Crime and Policing Bill (February 2025) introduced clauses establishing a mandatory reporting duty for child sexual abuse disclosures, with criminal offences for interfering with reports - The Independent Office of Police Conduct published statutory guidance (February 2020) removing the 12-month time limit for child sexual abuse complaints against police - The Church of England's Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure came into force (October 2021), replacing the existing duty to have 'due regard' with a statutory code - The Cabinet Office updated honours forfeiture guidance (September 2021) allowing formal statements where forfeiture proceedings would have been initiated for deceased recipients - The UK ratified the Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (June 2018) - The Interim Code of Practice on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation was published (December 2020)Unfinished business · AI-generated- Recommendation for a Child Protection Authority in England remains pending, with consultation on a roadmap planned - Professional registration of residential childcare staff and youth custody staff remains under review despite recommendations - Extension of Disclosure and Barring Service scheme to UK nationals working overseas was not accepted, with government citing jurisdictional concerns - Requirement for Electoral Commission to monitor safeguarding policies of political parties would require legislative change not yet pursued - Three-year time limit for civil child sexual abuse claims remains in place, though government has committed to its removal - Compensation scheme time limits for child sexual abuse victims remain unchanged despite recommendation for extension - Many recommendations accepted in principle await final government responses beyond initial six-month deadline
The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026) sets out 4 of this inquiry's recommendations that this site holds, with its own notes on implementation. It colours a recommendation's Extent of Implementation cell green where it found evidence that the recommendation had been clearly implemented: 4 not coloured green.
The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024) sets out 4 of this inquiry's recommendations that this site holds, with its own notes on implementation. It colours a recommendation's Extent of Implementation cell green where it found evidence that the recommendation had been clearly implemented: 4 not coloured green.
Findings about the inquiry's recommendations as a whole
Home Affairs Select Committee(21 Jan 2025)
This site's summary of the finding: Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."