The General Synod considers and approves legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England. It formulates new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at a national level.
Currently it is in on-going discussions on the future of safeguarding in the Church of England. The debates are lengthy and complex, but also important, because it not only affects the future of the Church of England but has the potential to impact other churches and denominations too.
We hope this blog will help you to understand the timeline of events and the decision Synod makes.
This blog shows the timeline of events over the last couple of years. With the most recent events at the top.
11th of February 2026 – Next steps on the implementation for the Church of England Safeguarding Structures
Rt Rev Dr Joanne Grenfell (Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and Lead Safeguarding Bishop and Dame Christine Ryan (Executive Chair, Safeguarding Structures Programme Board – Church of England) presented the next steps on implementation for the Church of England Safeguarding Structures at General Synod on the 11th of February 2026.
The key highlights of the proposed next steps are:
- the creation of a new Church of England Independent Safeguarding Authority, led by an independent board with a majority of non-Church members, responsible for oversight and assurance.
- the appointment of a Chief Safeguarding Officer who will have responsibility for the quality and performance of operational safeguarding and an ombudsman-style complaint resolution authority for the Church of England.
The report presented, details that the proposal presented allowed for the continuity of Model 3 with the principles of robust independence underpinning Model 4.
Synod passed the motion to welcome this update, endorse the direction of travel and to consider future relevant proposals where necessary. The timetable for the implementation of these proposals is for them to be completed by the end of 2027, with relevant legislation following in 2028.
You can read the relevant paper here.
You can watch the General Synod debate here.
3rd March 2025 – Safeguarding debate in the House of Commons
Luke Myer (Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and member of the Ecclesiastical Committee) brought a debate on Church of England safeguarding to the House of Commons.
Key themes for the debate included:
- Justice for Survivors
- Consistency across Church of England Dioceses in safeguarding practice
- Suitable training and background checks
- Meaningful accountability and transparency for the Church of England
Marsha de Cordova (Second Church Estates Commissioner and MP for Battersea) spoke at the debate and highlighted that she supports the Church’s safeguarding operations to be independent of the Church (in line with model 4 presented at General Synod in February).
Jess Phillips (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls and MP for Birmingham Yardly) attended the debate and highlighted the work currently being undertaken to support safeguarding within the Church of England. Phillips spoke to the newly introduced duty to report sexual abuse for those working with children, grooming as an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual abuse and the establishment of the new Victims and Survivors panel. The Minister also highlighted that the timetable will set out a clear timeline for taking forward the 20 recommendations of the final Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). She also highlighted a commitment to meet with the Charity Commission to discuss some of the complexities about the role of trustees in cathedrals, which was a key discussion at General Synod in February.
11th February 2025 – Synod debates two models
Synod considered and debated the two primary models proposed by the Safeguarding Response Group, to improve independence and effectiveness of safeguarding in the Church of England. These are known as ‘model 3’ and ‘model 4’.
What are models 3 and 4?
Model 3: This model proposed the establishment of an external scrutiny body likely on a statutory basis to oversee safeguarding audit, review and inspection of dioceses and cathedrals. This body would monitor and manage safeguarding standards, be given powers to regulate compliance and offer independent final-stage complaints management. The diocesan and cathedral safeguarding teams would maintain operational safeguarding within the Church of England, whilst most functions currently performed by the National Safeguarding Team (NST), excluding policy development, would be transferred to a new external employer. Diocesan and cathedral safeguarding officers would remain under their current church employment.
Model 4: This more comprehensive model suggested transferring all safeguarding teams, including those in dioceses and cathedrals, to the same external employer as the NST. The aim being to centralise safeguarding operations under an independent body to ensure consistency and reduce potential conflicts of interest.
Synod's Decision:
After extensive debate, the Synod approved a motion (amended) that endorses ‘Model 3' first while doing further work on ‘Model 4’.
The approved motion includes:
- Setting up an external scrutiny body, which is likely to be on a statutory basis in order to give it “teeth” and so would require legislation.
- Transfer of most functions currently delivered by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) – except policy development – to an external employer, eventually and after all development, consultation and legislative processes are complete.
- Further work to determine the legal and practical requirements necessary to implement model 4 which would involve the transfer of safeguarding teams in dioceses and cathedrals to the same external employer as the NST.
- Lament and repent of the failure of the Church to be welcoming to victims and survivors and for the harm they have experienced and continue to experience in the life of the Church.
January 2025: SRG submits proposals
The Safeguarding Response Group (SRG) submitted their proposals for Option 3 and Option 4 for internal review.
November 2024: Models 3 and 4
The Safeguarding Response Group (SRG) analysed the feasibility assessments, and advised the Lead Bishop to undertake more detailed analysis of models 3 and 4, which had been developed from July 2024.
July 2024: Four models considered
Synod voted for the Safeguarding Response Group to evaluate four models for organisational structures of safeguarding independence. The Response Group oversaw a feasibility assessment of the four models, studying the models carefully, considering HR, data protection, legal factors, (among others), and input from victims and survivors, safeguarding professionals, Synod members and others.
April 2024: Independent co-chair for the Safeguarding Response Group appointed
Lesley-Ann Ryder is appointed as an independent Co-Chair to the Safeguarding Response Group.
February 2024: The Jay Report
Professor Alexis Jay publishes her report on the Future of Safeguarding in the Church of England.
January 2024: New Safeguarding Response Group
In the absence of the previous Independent Safeguarding Board the Church of England established a new Safeguarding Response Group to examine both the published Wilkinson report and forthcoming Jay report.
December 2023: The Wilkinson Report
Sarah Wilkinson publishes her independent review into the Church’s Independent Safeguarding Board
You might also be interested in:
Thirtyone:eight statement on the Future of Church Safeguarding report