Question

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.

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 the reports have been published, and the remaining reports will be published soon. The reports can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/reviews-and-reports/independent-safeguarding-audit-programme

INEQE is ensuring that all relevant parts of the Church of England are reviewed, including the Diocese in Europe, and the Crown Dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

The INEQE audit of dioceses is scheduled to run until early 2028 and INEQE also produces Annual Reports that highlight themes of good practice and areas for improvement.