Safeguarding Governance

In this section you can find information about how safeguarding practice is being developed across the Diocese of Bristol and the Church of England.

Diocesan Safeguarding Steering Group (DSSG)

Every diocese is required to have a steering group through which representatives from across the diocese and from independent organisations can oversee safeguarding development. The Diocese of Bristols group has been running since April 2014. The DSSG Terms of Reference describes how the group works. Our thanks go to all that support the work of this group.

Click here to download and view the DSSG Terms of Reference

Independent safeguarding audit programme

The Diocese of Bristol has participated in the ongoing independent audit of safeguarding within the Church of England by INEQE. The Bristol audit report is available here: Independent Safeguarding Audit of Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance and Bristol Cathedral

Past Case Review 2, 2022

The Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) was run in all Church of England dioceses between 2019 - 2022.
Past Cases Review 1 (PCR1) was commissioned because of several Church of England clergy and church officers being charged with sexual offences against children. PCR1 was conducted between 2007 and 2009. In May 2016 concerns were raised regarding the judgements presented from PCR1. An Independent Scrutiny Team concluded that whilst the review was well motivated and thoughtfully planned, limitations existed in relation to its execution. As a result, Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) was commissioned by the Archbishops’ Council in 2019 as part of the overall commitment to improving the way in which the Church responds to allegations and concerns.

The national Past Cases Review 2 report was published in October 2022. You can read it here.

All the parishes in the Diocese of Bristol took part in the Past Cases Review 2. The review was carried out by an independent reviewer. Read the Executive Summary here.

Independent Safeguarding Audit - 2017

During February 2017 the Diocese of Bristol received an independent audit of safeguarding arrangements. The report has now been published.

SCIE Safeguarding Audit Report for the Diocese of Bristol - 2017

Safeguarding Review Diocese of Bristol - Barnardo's, 2013

Report commissioned by the Diocese 'to ascertain how best to implement and support effective safeguarding arrangements in the Diocese of Bristol'.

Safeguarding Review Diocese of Bristol (Final Report)

Annual Safeguarding Report

The Annual Report details work undertaken during each year and includes the following years Safeguarding Action Plan and summary of the Parish Safeguarding Audit. Do take at look if you would like to see what we have achieved and areas for further development.