Independent safeguarding audits were first commissioned by the Church of England in 2015 with a pilot scheme which was then rolled out across the national Church. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, commended these audits and one of IICSA’s 2020 recommendations (No 8) was that independent external auditing of the Church’s safeguarding policies and procedures, as well as the effectiveness of safeguarding practice in dioceses, cathedrals and other Church organisations, should continue.

Consequently, INEQE Safeguarding Group was appointed by the Archbishops’ Council to carry out a new round of independent external audits of Church of England dioceses and cathedrals, starting in January 2024. Several other South West dioceses and Cathedrals have already completed their audits and the process has now started in the Diocese of Exeter and the Cathedral.

The Audit Process:

The audits will be carried out in the diocese and Cathedral at the same time, with an audit framework agreement to ensure consistency of approach. The purpose of the audits is to ensure dioceses and cathedrals are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. INEQE have provided the Diocese of Exeter and the Cathedral with a series of in-depth questions (230 in total) concerning safeguarding practice across the diocese and Diocesan and Cathedral staff are now in the process of responding to the questions.

Additionally, INEQE are also seeking to engage with parishioners, church and cathedral volunteers and staff, members of the parish community and diocesan and cathedral staff through online surveys which will act as a mechanism through which individuals can comment on any matters relevant to the Audit’s focus. INEQE will also speak with children and vulnerable adults in each diocese (including victims and survivors of abuse).

When the audit is complete INEQE will produce a report with recommendations for the Diocese and Cathedral, and both will be made available publicly.