Church of England Safeguarding Progress at Risk from ‘Institutional Resistance and Drift,’ Independent Audit Warns

A new independent audit has issued a stark warning that progress in safeguarding within the Church of England is being “threatened by institutional resistance and drift,” with structural inhibitors at senior levels undermining improvements . The 2025 Annual Report, released Thursday by the INEQE Safeguarding Group, engaged over 10,000 contributors and found a “maturing safeguarding culture” but also identified a small group of senior officers actively resisting operational independence . The audit warns that progress is being undermined by “structural resistance from a small group of senior officers and a dangerous period of institutional ‘drift’ regarding future safeguarding structures,” noting that some individuals are hiding “behind exceptionalism, Canon Law, tradition, and procedural defensiveness” to resist change.

Despite these challenges, the report highlights significant progress, including a 38% increase in engagement with victims and survivors compared to the previous year . Across most dioceses, safeguarding is increasingly understood as a “gospel and theological imperative” rather than a mere administrative requirement, with visible leadership and safer recruitment practices now more embedded . However, the audit criticizes delays in implementing key recommendations, with some bodies excusing inaction by waiting for the outcome of the Church’s Safeguarding Structures Programme . The Bishop of Dorchester, Rt. Rev. Robert Springett, the Church’s Lead Safeguarding Bishop, welcomed the report, stating, “External scrutiny is vital and I welcome this report and its findings. While it shows that progress has been made, it also points to areas that can still be improved” . He emphasized the importance of victim and survivor engagement to “help us build a safer Church for all.”