Safeguarding Review

In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a national Past Case Review (PCR) which sought to look at the handling by the Church of child protection cases over many years. This entailed independent scrutiny of the files of clergy and church officers* to identify any persons presenting on-going risks to children and young people (a child or young person is anyone under the age of 18) which had not been acted on appropriately.

Objectives of PCR 2

• To identify all information held within parishes, cathedrals, dioceses or other church bodies, which may contain allegations of abuse or neglect where the alleged perpetrator is a clergy person or other church officer and ensure these cases have been independently reviewed.

• To ensure all allegations of abuse of children, especially those that have been recorded since the original PCR, have been handled appropriately and proportionately to the level of risk identified and with the paramountcy principle evidenced within decision making.

•  To ensure that recorded incidents or allegations of abuse of an adult (including domestic abuse) have been handled appropriately demonstrating the principles of adult safeguarding.
• To ensure that the support needs of known survivors have been considered.
• To ensure that all safeguarding allegations have been referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers and are being/have been responded to in line with current safeguarding practise guidance.
• To ensure that cases meeting the relevant thresholds have been referred to statutory agencies.

The House of Bishops wants to ensure that all our worshipping communities and church-related activities are as safe as possible for children and vulnerable adults. All Dioceses have now been asked to undertake a further review process and the terms of this new national review are known as the PCR 2.

Please ensure that your signed Parish/other Declaration Form and return to the Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Adviser 

Safeguarding Adviser: Mandy McPhee

Tel: 07875 757396 or 01746 785168

Support for Survivors

NSPCC Helpline for Children and Adults: 0800 80 20 20

This helpline has been set up for those who have been affected either directly or indirectly by abuse in a church or cathedral setting. Calls will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

*Church officers definition – All clergy, including those with PTO and clergy such as hospital, school and prison chaplains who hold the Bishop’s licence, Readers, licensed lay workers, volunteers and diocesan and parish lay employees and volunteers whose role includes (or has included) direct involvement with children and vulnerable adults.

This is a wide definition, however, the judgement to be made is whether the role has in the past, does currently, or is likely in the future, to provide opportunities for the abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults whilst engaged in church organised activities and whether the role involves a relationship of trust.