The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Safeguarding in Faith Communities has announced the appointment of The Rt Revd Joanne Grenfell, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, as its new Co- Chair.
Bishop Joanne brings extensive national leadership experience in safeguarding across faith settings. She has served as the Lead Safeguarding Bishop for the Church of England for the past three years, providing strategic oversight and leadership on safeguarding policy and practice across dioceses and national Church structures. In her role as a diocesan bishop, Bishop Joanne also holds a seat in the House of Lords as one of the Lords Spiritual – the 26 bishops of the Church of England who sit in Parliament.
As Co-Chair of the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities, Bishop Joanne will support cross-party collaboration to strengthen safeguarding practice, policy and learning across faith contexts in the UK.
Bishop Joanne Grenfell says,
“I have a vision of church and faith communities working together to promote healthy culture, wise leadership, and strong accountability in every faith setting. I believe that to do so will strengthen the ways in which we can prevent abuse and will help us better to hear, care for, and work with victims and survivors. I am excited to be invited to co-chair this APPG with Ruth Jones MP, to bring the best of parliamentary scrutiny and collaboration to this task.”
Bishop Joanne has played a significant role in shaping safeguarding practice within the Church of England. She has previously chaired safeguarding reviews, served as Chair of the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) – the House of Bishops’ body responsible for national safeguarding decisions – and chaired the national working group examining safeguarding implications relating to the seal of the confessional.
In February, Bishop Joanne also took part in a joint parliamentary delegation to the Vatican, alongside members of the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities and the APPG on the Holy See, for an international exchange of learning and best practice on safeguarding in faith communities.
Ruth Jones, Co-Chair of the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities, welcomed the appointment,
“I am delighted to welcome Bishop Joanne to the role of co-chair of the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities. I do appreciate that Bishop Joanne is relatively new to the Lords, but I am so pleased she has agreed to take up the co chair role. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as the APPG moves forward with its vital work.”
The APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities exists to promote good safeguarding practice, encourage shared learning and support effective collaboration between faith groups, statutory agencies and policymakers. Bishop Joanne’s appointment strengthens the group’s ability to draw on deep sector expertise and national leadership as it continues its work.