As a social worker - with local authorities and now with the diocese, I’ve seen far too many times the damage that abuse and exploitation does to those who suffer it. Often the effects endure for entire lifetimes and seriously affect a survivor’s potential to foster good relationships, careers and wellbeing.
So it is heartening that the Church of England has taken massive strides forward in improving our safeguarding training and procedures in the last decade, albeit still not perfect. It’s been a huge investment; not just in employing professional staff in the diocese to investigate issues and provide training, but also a significant sacrifice by clergy and volunteers in every parish.
As the diocesan senior lead of safeguarding, I’m truly thankful to all who give up time and energy to participate in that training on topics that are not entirely pleasant and sometimes emotionally difficult. But it is worth it. Together we are making our churches safer places for children and vulnerable adults. People in parishes across the country make sacrifices to do the training and then do the work of safeguarding. It truly is an act of love, fulfilling Jesus’ command to ‘Love your neighbour’.
Let me reassure you that it pays off. I was recently sent a safeguarding review from Lichfield Cathedral and within it were highlighted three instances where the care and training of volunteers and staff who are not safeguarding specialists showed its worth. Bishop Jan (who is Acting Dean of the cathedral) writes:
People in parishes across the country make sacrifices to do the training and then do the work of safeguarding.It truly is an act of love, fulfilling Jesus’ command to ‘Love your neighbour’. |
“Often the most difficult thing to measure is culture. How can we be sure that the attention we give to this important area of our work is making a difference? Three anecdotes stand out to me:
“The first was at the Chorister Christmas Party where one chorister had a forfeit during one of the party games. They were asked which three people they would expect to find in the cathedral and they announced, “The Cathedral Safeguarding Officer”. An excellent answer!
“The second relates to a young girl (11) who appeared at the Christmas Light Show. Each evening over 3500 people came to the cathedral, and within all of that busyness, several volunteers identified the young girl behaving oddly and they called the nominated safeguarding officer for that evening. This situation was unusual and it became clear that we needed to respond in ways other than we might usually do, and I am pleased to report that the team adapted incredibly well and ensured the girl was safe until the Police arrived.
“Thirdly, during Evensong the Assistant Director of Music looked down from the organ loft and spotted someone they thought had been suspended from their church role. This was reported and investigated, and it would seem the individual should not be in church without an Agreement. A plan was swiftly put in place in consultation with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (locally and also from the appropriate diocese) and the cathedral’s front-line team, so that if the individual re-appears we are able to offer suitable challenge.”
Together, they achieved far more than a single vicar or Parish Safeguarding Officer achieves on their own.
Neil Spiring is Lichfield Diocese’s Senior Lead for Safeguarding. For all questions about safeguarding and safeguarding training, please visit our web pages: www.lichfield.anglican.org/safeguarding