Church responds to IICSA recommendations

The Church in Wales is on a journey to ensure all its safeguarding practices are of the highest possible standard, says the Archbishop of Wales in response to the recommendations for the Church from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)'s report.

In his foreword to the Church’s response, Working Together for a Safer Church, Archbishop John Davies says ongoing work is aimed at cultural change within the church to embed the notion that safeguarding is everybody's responsibility. The Church needs, he says, to maintain "an open and transparent organisational culture that reflects the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk".

The IICSA report, which was published in October, was based on public hearings held during July 2019, which examined the Church's response to allegations of child sexual abuse, as well as the adequacy of its safeguarding policies and practices.

Working Together for a Safer Church responds to the Inquiry’s six recommendations for the Church in Wales and also includes an report on recent developments. These include the appointment of a new independent chair of the Church’s Safeguarding Panel, the reorganisation of the Church’s Safeguarding Governance structure, and the launch of a national DBS & Safeguarding Training Database.