The Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) has been beset with difficulties since its inception in 2021. The Chair stepped back following several complaints about data breaches, and finally resigned in recent weeks. An interim Chair has been imposed upon the other two members without consultation and in contradiction to the ISB’s stated Terms of Reference.
House of Survivors met in recent weeks with the two remaining members of the ISB alongside two others and were disturbed to hear that the ISB members were not invited to inform the process by which the new Chair was chosen.
We also heard that the ISB had shared wider concerns with the Secretary General of Archbishops Council, including their call that survivors should be given greater consultation. The ISB members presented a paper to Archbishops Council which included their findings from survivor engagement. However, the ISB have been told that they cannot consult with survivors at this stage about Phase 2 of the ISB. Their phone-line was removed last year and has not been replaced, despite recognition by ISB members that this line is crucial for survivors.
House of Survivors has encouraged the two, including the Survivor Advocate, to make a formal report to the following bodies:
- Archbishops Council
- Lords Spiritual
- Church in Parliament
- Church Commissioners
- Charity Commission
If the Church of England will not allow the ISB to develop a pathway of genuine independent scrutiny without the deployment of smoke and mirrors, and abandonment of the ISB’s Terms of Reference, then those manipulating the agenda must be challenged. The various bodies that make up governance of the Church must face up to the problem. The ISB should not be subservient to any shadowy apparatus of reputation management from within Church House.
House of Survivors supports the ISB as they continue to develop narrative wisdom, deepen insight into the needs of survivors, and gain confidence in tackling the powers that are trying to block scrutiny.
*Update January 2024* – House of Survivors are conscious that there is a significant gap below in the latest extensive news surrounding the ISB. HoS is deeply personally affected by the extraordinary events that have unfolded. We will add to this section as soon as possible.
The article links below are listed in chronological order, to follow the timeline from the first (top) to last (bottom).
Proposals on NST independent oversight published
Feb 2021, Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-news-and-releases/proposals-nst-independent-oversight-published
Synod members hear significant changes planned for church safeguarding
Feb 2021, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/5-march/news/uk/synod-members-hear-significant-changes-planned-for-church-safeguarding
Independence & Safeguarding: Marking Our Own Homework?
Mar 2021, Via Media
https://viamedia.news/2021/03/02/independence-safeguarding-marking-our-own-homework
Chair and survivor advocate appointed to Church of England’s Independent Safeguarding Board
Sept 2021, Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-news-and-releases/chair-and-survivor-advocate-appointed-church-englands
Chair and survivor advocate appointed to Independent Safeguarding Board
Sept 2021, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/1-october/news/uk/chair-and-survivor-advocate-appointed-to-independent-safeguarding-board
Final member of Church’s Independent Safeguarding Board appointed
Jan 2022, Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-news-and-releases/final-member-churchs-independent-safeguarding-board
C of E safeguarding yet to come good, says new Independent Safeguarding Board
Feb 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/11-february/news/uk/c-of-e-safeguarding-yet-to-come-good-says-new-independent-safeguarding-board
Safeguarding and the Search for Independence
April 2022, Surviving Church
https://survivingchurch.org/2022/04/29/safeguarding-and-the-search-for-independence/
Nye backs Independent Safeguarding Board for Oxford review
June 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/1-july/news/uk/nye-backs-independent-safeguarding-board-for-oxford-review
General Synod digest: next safeguarding steps warmly agreed
July 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/15-july/news/uk/general-synod-digest-next-safeguarding-steps-warmly-agreed
Information Commissioner’s Office upholds survivor’s complaint against chair of ISB
July 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/22-july/news/uk/information-commissioner-s-office-upholds-survivor-s-complaint-against-chair-of-isb
Statement on ISB from lead safeguarding bishop
Aug 2022, Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-governance/statement-isb-lead-safeguarding-bishop
Independent safeguarding chair steps back after second data-breach
Aug 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/5-august/news/uk/independent-safeguarding-chair-steps-back-after-second-data-breach
Church of England apologises after Independent Safeguarding Chair told to stand down over data protection breaches
Aug 2022, Premier Christian
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/church-of-england-apologises-after-independent-safeguarding-chair-told-to-stand-down-over-data-protection-breaches
Independent Safeguarding Board puts Christ Church review on hold
Oct 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/21-october/news/uk/independent-safeguarding-board-puts-christ-church-review-on-hold
Ex-Christ Church Dean ordered to pay Independent Safeguarding Board costs after court case
Oct 2022, Oxford Mail
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23088450.ex-christ-church-dean-ordered-pay-independent-safeguarding-board-costs-court-case/
Prof Martyn Percy to pay £4,500 in legal fees after attempts to sue CofE safeguarding board failed
Nov 2022, Premier Christian
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/prof-martyn-percy-to-pay-4-500-in-legal-fees-after-attempts-to-sue-cofe-safeguarding-board-failed
Treat abuse survivors as people, Independent Safeguarding Board tells Church
Nov 2022, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/4-november/news/uk/treat-survivors-as-people-independent-safeguarding-board-tells-church
ISB working party will oversee implementation of church safeguarding pledges
Jan 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/20-january/news/uk/isb-working-party-will-oversee-implementation-of-church-safeguarding-pledges
Disputes undermine effectiveness of the Church’s Independent Safeguarding Board
Jan 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-february/news/uk/disputes-undermine-effectiveness-of-the-church-s-independent-safeguarding-board
Independent Safeguarding in the CofE. ‘When you give, let go’. Martin Sewell explains
Feb 2023, Surviving Church
https://survivingchurch.org/2023/02/14/independent-safeguarding-in-the-cofe-when-you-give-let-go-martin-sewell-explains/
Review of Dean Percy case will not be conducted by Independent Safeguarding Board
Feb 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-february/news/uk/review-of-dean-percy-case-will-not-be-conducted-by-independent-safeguarding-board
Will General Synod be allowed to debate the Independent Safeguarding Board?
Feb 2023, Surviving Church
https://survivingchurch.org/2023/02/05/will-general-synod-be-allowed-to-debate-the-independent-safeguarding-board/
Member’s motion to tackle exclusion of Independent Safeguarding Board from Synod
Feb 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-february/news/uk/member-s-motion-to-tackle-exclusion-of-independent-safeguarding-board-from-synod-agenda
ISB remains off the Synod’s agenda despite members’ concerns
Feb 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/10-february/news/uk/isb-remains-off-the-synod-s-agenda-despite-members-concerns
Chair of Independent Safeguarding Board resigns with immediate effect
Mar 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/31-march/news/uk/chair-of-independent-safeguarding-board-resigns-with-immediate-effect
Independent Safeguarding Board chairman resigns
Mar 2023, Anglican Ink
https://anglican.ink/2023/03/30/independent-safeguarding-board-chairman-resigns/
Independent Safeguarding Board: Even more Confusion?
April 2023, Surviving Church
https://survivingchurch.org/2023/04/01/independent-safeguarding-board-even-more-confusion/
Church sexual abuse victims reject ‘very cosy’ watchdog
April 2023, Sunday Telegraph
https://twitter.com/
https://www.pressreader.com/
Church of England ‘obstructing its own safeguarding panel’ as calls grow for new chairman
April 2023, Sunday Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Church of England accused of ‘obstructing’ Independent Safeguarding Board
April 2023, Premier Christian
https://premierchristian.news/
Independent Safeguarding Board seeks to extricate itself from the Church of England
April 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/28-april/news/uk/independent-safeguarding-board-seeks-to-extricate-itself-from-the-church-of-england
Independent Safeguarding Board settles case with Martyn Percy and calls for urgent review
April 2023, Premier Christian
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/independent-safeguarding-board-settles-case-with-martyn-percy-and-calls-for-urgent-review
Archbishops defend appointment of Meg Munn as acting chair of Independent Safeguarding Board
May 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/5-may/news/uk/archbishops-defend-appointment-of-meg-munn-as-acting-chair-of-independent-safeguarding-board
Independent Safeguarding Board serves dispute resolution notice to Archbishops’ Council
May 2023, Church Times
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/26-may/news/uk/independent-safeguarding-board-serves-dispute-resolution-notice-to-archbishops-council