Create diocesan safeguarding officers

The Index has not yet recorded a verbatim government response to this recommendation.

No statement on delivery from Church of England has been found in the sources searched. This is separate from the response above.

On 25 November 2020, the Church of England stated that it fully accepts and supports this recommendation. The Church of England noted that further work will be needed on the details of how to implement this. In the meantime, the Church will look to put an interim arrangement in place, whereby a small number of independent professionals are recruited, who could provide independent oversight of safeguarding work, and in due course, could form the new independent trustee body. The Church of England also intends to amend Canon 30 and the associated Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors Regulations to accommodate this recommendation. The Church of England has also asked the National Safeguarding Team produce a project plan to deliver independent safeguarding based on the recommendation. On 15 December 2020, the Church of England voted unanimously that a proposal on an interim oversight model of that National Safeguarding Team will be put in place before the February Synod in 2021. The model will include the creation of a new safeguarding board with a majority of entirely independent members. The Church of England has stated that the board could then help determine the approach to implementing full independent oversight, as outlined in the Inquiry’s recommendations. The detailed arrangements for this will be worked out fully through a consultation with survivor groups and dioceses. On 25 February 2021, the Archbishops’ Council approved the next steps in the independent oversight of the National Safeguarding Team, with the first phase to be implemented by early July 2021. The first phase proposes appointing an Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) to provide professional supervision and quality assurance of case work and the handling of complaints. Under the proposals, Diocesan Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) will continue to be employed by the Diocesan Boards of Finance whilst relating to the ISB via the National Safeguarding Team. In order to implement the shift from advisers to officers, the ISB may from time to time issue practice guidance, propose best practice models and offer general guidance to DSOs. DSOs may also seek specific guidance and support for their decisions from the ISB and appeal to the ISB should difficulties arise within the diocese which compromise their effectiveness. On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council stated that Canon C30 and the associated Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Regulations will be amended to accommodate the change to Diocesan Safeguarding Officers and clarify further that safeguarding decisions are made by the DSO, not by clergy. The regulations will also set out the independence of the DSO. It was agreed that a pilot regional model to provide professional supervision for diocesan safeguarding professionals will be taken forward. The joint response stated that the Archbishops’ Council aims to have the interim independent structure of oversight of safeguarding in place by the end of summer 2021. The revised Safer Recruitment and People Management policy, which will be considered by the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) in April 2021, requires all staff/volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults to have completed their mandatory safeguarding training before probation or settling in periods can be signed off. Subject to approval by the NSSG, this policy is due to come into effect in November 2021. This recommendation will also be addressed in the revision of ‘Responding to Allegations Against Church Officers’, which is currently ongoing. The policy is due to be considered by the NSSG for approval in December 2021, with an expected implementation date of June 2022.