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The diocesan Safeguarding team has published its Annual Report for 2025, outlining the work of the Safeguarding subcommittee, training and auditing teams and Parish Safeguarding Representatives in safeguarding children and adults at risk in our communities.
The Diocese continues to benefit from the expertise and commitment of its Safeguarding Sub-Committee of Trustees. The Committee includes independent advisers from the police, social care, health and probation services, alongside key members of diocesan staff and clergy. Meeting regularly throughout the year, the Committee considers safeguarding matters from across the Diocese and provides advice and recommendations to the Bishop and trustees where appropriate. We remain extremely grateful for the continued support of our statutory partners.
As a Diocese, we believe that Safeguarding begins in our parishes and we remain committed to ensuring that everyone involved in ministry is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to create safer environments for all.
During 2025, a total of 699 safeguarding training sessions were completed across the Diocese.
These included:
• 151 clergy completing mandatory face-to-face safeguarding training.
• 426 volunteers completing Level 3 online safeguarding training.
• 26 volunteers attending face-to-face safeguarding training.
• 29 participants completing Creating a Safer Environment training.
• 17 Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) induction sessions.
• 49 PSRs attending PSR drop-in sessions, providing ongoing support and guidance to Parish Safeguarding Representatives.
We are grateful to everyone who has taken part in safeguarding training throughout the year. Their commitment helps ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of parish life and that our churches continue to be safe and welcoming places for all.
Parish Safeguarding Representatives continue to play a vital role in safeguarding across the Diocese, ensuring that national policies and diocesan procedures are implemented within their parishes and providing valuable support to clergy and volunteers.
During 2025, there were 99 Parish Safeguarding Representatives serving across the Diocese. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and the important contribution they make to safeguarding within our parish communities.
Our programme of Parish Safeguarding Audits continued throughout 2025, supporting parishes in meeting national safeguarding standards and promoting good safeguarding practice.
During the year, 36 Parish Audits were successfully completed. The audit programme provides valuable assurance, highlights examples of good practice and supports parishes in continually strengthening their safeguarding arrangements.
The Safeguarding Office continues to oversee the management of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks across the Diocese, supporting both new volunteers and those requiring renewal checks.
During 2025, 928 DBS checks were completed across the Diocese, including applications for new volunteers and rechecks for existing volunteers. This work plays an important part in ensuring that those serving in roles involving children and adults at risk are recruited safely and in accordance with national safeguarding requirements.
