CAPTION: Every parish in Devon took part in the Past Cases Review 2
Independent Review Shows Exeter Diocese Places Safeguarding “At the Heart of Church”
An independent review of the Diocese of Exeter’s past safeguarding cases found that its safeguarding practises are “robust” with effective governance and oversight of safeguarding, a highly experienced and motivated safeguarding team and excellent recording of safeguarding cases.
Stephen White, Independent Chair of the Diocese of Exeter Safeguarding Advisory Panel said “I am pleased with the outcome of the PCR2 process for Exeter Diocese.
“As the Independent Chair, I am reassured the Exeter Diocese places safeguarding at the heart of daily church activities to ensure a safe environment for the communities it serves across over 500 parishes.
“There is no room for complacency, and I will ensure the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel will oversee the implementation of the recommendations from this review over the coming months.”
Background
Some of the Diocese of Exeter Safeguarding Team with national South West Safeguarding Advisor Charles Pitman (second from right)
The review was carried out as part of the national Past Cases Review 2, which was instigated by the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team, following concerns about the thoroughness of the original Past Cases Review nationally from 2007 to 2009.
The Diocese of Exeter was found to have carried out its Past Cases Review in 2008 in a manner that was ‘effective and delivered within the requisite scope and terms of reference’.
During 2020-2021 the personnel files of clergy, church officers, and Diocesan staff were re-examined to ensure there were no records indicating an unaddressed concern. It also included an audit of existing safeguarding case records.
The records of all Devon’s Anglican churches were examined, resulting in 2648 files and case records being scrutinized. This revealed 17 cases, which had previously been unrecorded or unreported as raising a safeguarding concern.
Four of those were deemed to require further or different action, but none of these met threshold for referral to statutory agencies and have been appropriately resolved.
Findings
The PCR2 Report for Exeter Diocese found that: the oversight and governance of safeguarding is effective, people working in the diocese are progressive in their attitude towards safeguarding and current safeguarding work is “robust” with effective risk management in place and “excellent” current record keeping.
It also found that the Diocese has a suitable victims’ and survivors’ strategy in place, with good support mechanisms and an effective working relationship with other agencies (for example social services and the police).
Anthea Carter-Savigear, Director of People and Safeguarding for the Diocese of Exeter, said “This was a huge undertaking nationally and within the Diocese of Exeter. We are very pleased and grateful for the positive engagement with this process, not least the prompt responses from all of our parishes.”
Recommendations
The PCR2 review report made a number of local recommendations, which are now being addressed. These included increased promotion of, and liaison with, victim and survivor support services, improvements to IT systems used for safeguarding casework recording, increased scrutiny of the files of clergy moving into the Diocese and scrutiny of the nature of complaints made against clergy under the Clergy Disciple Measure (CDM).
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, said “This latest Past Cases Review has been impressively thorough in its scrutiny.
“The report’s positive assessment of safeguarding in the Diocese of Exeter is reassuring and I welcome its recommendations.
“Accountability and external auditing are important if we are to enjoy the confidence and trust of the people of Devon.”
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence or report a safeguarding concern, please contact our Safeguarding Team.
