The Church of England is entering a “season of action” on safeguarding, the Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield and lead bishop on safeguarding for the Church of England, said on Saturday to General Synod.
Bishop Jonathan also said the church will continue to “apologise and learn from its failings over safeguarding”, as part of an update presented to Synod on the work of the National Safeguarding Team.
Bishop Jonathan said the work of the Team was now underpinned and shaped by the insights and experiences of survivors.
The Team have been working on many areas, including policy development, the national case-management system and membership of the new Independent Safeguarding Panel.
Bishop Jonathan also promoted the newly created Safeguarding Sunday, to be held this year on October 10.
The recruitment process for the Independent Safeguarding Panel is now underway, managed by an independent recruitment agency and with no bishop involvement.
Bishop Jonathan also gave updates on two reviews into abuse, one looking at the late John Symth and one looking at the late Trevor Devamanikkam.
For more information on safeguarding in the Diocese of Leeds, please click here.