Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding

The Diocese of Chichester has published a report of the Diocesan Safeguarding Audit carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).

Mark Sowerby, lead Bishop for Safeguarding in the Diocese, said: "This was carried out as part of a process covering all the dioceses of The Church of England and is part of our commitment to making the Church a safer place for all, ensuring all dioceses have the best possible practice in place."

We are pleased that the audit notes:

"The safeguarding structures and systems in the Diocese of Chichester have undergone a period of major change and development in recent years and now have a team of dedicated and hardworking safeguarding staff, supported by the senior clergy and senior staff of Church House. This is a demonstration of the investment in and commitment to safeguarding in the Diocese."

"There is a team of skilled, experienced and qualified people. It is led by a well-established Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) with good knowledge of the Diocese and its history, who works in partnership with everyone from parishioners on up within the Church and with safeguarding partners in the statutory sector."

The bishops are glad that the Diocese has established a much safer base from which to continue working towards a safer church. They are grateful to SCIE for identifying the progress made in recent years and for those comments which will help focus our future work.

You can read the full report here