Stepping into the role of Lead Bishop for Safeguarding
You may have read elsewhere today about my appointment, effective from April next year, as the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Safeguarding. This role is one I step into with a strong sense of calling, shaped by personal experience, pastoral ministry, and the privilege of serving as a Deputy Lead Bishop over the past two years. I do so with deep gratitude for all that Bishop Joanne Grenfell, the current Lead Bishop, has enabled, thankful for what will be her continuing involvement in this work.
In accepting this invitation, I am of course very much aware of the challenges that this role will bring. My present work chairing the Task and Finish Group reviewing the recommendation of the Makin Report into the abuse perpetrated by John Smyth, and previously a similar group reviewing the Scolding report, has heightened my awareness of the impact of abuse on so many. We need to continue to have the courage to face the reality of our failure if we are to learn.
I am also deeply thankful for the extraordinary goodwill I have experienced from so many, especially those with lived experience, victims and survivors, safeguarding professionals within the Church and beyond, and volunteers in parish communities.
Their contributions have helped us make significant progress, as recognised in the independent INEQE audit of our own diocesan safeguarding provision. At the same time, this work has highlighted what still needs to be done, particularly as we deliver independence in scrutiny, and determine how safeguarding is best delivered across our dioceses and cathedrals. I look forward to continuing to work with these groups as together we deliver these important changes.
I will exercise this role alongside my continuing ministry in the Diocese of Gloucester as Bishop of Tewkesbury, a ministry that keeps me grounded in the life of the Church within our parishes and communities, where safeguarding is practiced and lived. As I take on this additional responsibility, I want to express my thanks for all I have learnt from our Safeguarding Team here, led by Brett Riches, from our amazing Parish Safeguarding Officers, our Safeguarding Board and from so many engaged in this work across our Diocese. I am daily deeply grateful for all you do.
At the heart of all this, is my firm conviction that safeguarding should be received by the Church not as a burden, but as a joyful opportunity for service, to share life in all its fullness as we have received it in Jesus Christ. It’s because of this I am genuinely excited to continue to serve in this way.
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Congratulations. A very important role…
In this role perhaps you could explain why it is that someone taking the Eucharist to a parishioner’s home does not need any safeguarding checks – no DBS requirement – unless they are asked by the recipient to (for example) bring them some eggs (i e do some shopping for them, which is quite a likely request!)? Surely the fact that the recipient needs the Eucharist to be brought to them means they are vulnerable and that alone should be enough to trigger a DBS requirement?
Similarly, as a Tower Captain you need DBS clearance for work with children but not vulnerable adults. Why not? Do the powers that be really think no vulnerable adult could possibly want to be (or be capable of being) a bell-ringer?
Andrew
Dear Bishop Robert,
Hello and welcome from me Heather van Silver, PSO at St Mary’s Dymock. Congratulations on your appointment to Safeguarding Lead. I look forward to meeting you at our Sunday service on November 30th. If you are able to, could you please email me as I have an idea for generating enthusiasm around our parishioners.
Many thanks and God bless,
Heather.