30 Response Accepted

Amend Canon C30 on safeguarding due regard

Recommendation

The Church of England should amend the current canon requiring clerics to comply with the Bishop's Guidance on Safeguarding. The use of the words 'due regard' in Canon C30 is an acceptable term of art, but lacks sufficient clarity. Very few individuals who gave evidence to the Inquiry said they understood what this meant, including the Archbishop of Canterbury himself.

Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
E
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
22 May 2023

On 26 April 2021, the General Synod approved the Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure which strengthens and clarifies the obligation to follow safeguarding guidance. The statutory code replaces the existing duty to have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance. On 20 October 2021, the Measure came into force.

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Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Anglican Church Case Studies Investigation Report 21 May 2019
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Church of England Primary
Themes & Tags
Care safeguarding systems Anglican Church Canon Law Safeguarding
Recommendation age 6.8 yrs
Last formal update 1038 days ago