“THE time for review has passed, and now is the time for action” 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 are also trustees of Church of England charities, reminding them of their “duty to take reasonable steps to protect from harm people who come into contact” with a charity of which they are a trustee.
“Trustees should ensure 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 action is taken in a timely manner and processes are in place so that safeguarding concerns are not able to be ignored or covered up,” Mr Holdsworth wrote.
In a statement announcing the letter, Mr Holdsworth said that the Makin review had “underlined concerns about the sufficiency of changes made by the Church of England in implementing improvements to safeguarding”. He called on the Church to use “its legal powers if needed to expedite the action required”.
The Charity Commission has been engaging with the Church of England on its response to the Makin review, and had a meeting 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 is not a registered charity, and so is not regulated by the Charity Commission. However, many of its members are trustees of charities within the Church of England.
Addressing these members, Mr Holdsworth said that it was important that “you remain aware of your legal trustee duties during debate and voting on relevant Synod business such that you are satisfied the changes will enable you to comply with your duty to take reasonable steps to keep all who come into contact with your charity safe”.
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 is the lead bishop for safeguarding, acknowledged the letter from Mr Holdsworth. “We continue to engage constructively and positively with the Commission and we thank them for their ongoing advice and interest,” she said.
She outlined the work that was being done to respond to the Makin review, including the consideration of disciplinary cases against individuals criticised in the report (News, 16 January).
The National Safeguarding Steering Group was examining Mr Makin’s recommendations, she said.