REGULATOR ISSUES OFFICIAL WARNINGS TO TWO CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESES

LONDON, Jan. 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

The Charity Commission has taken regulatory action against Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance (PDF, 129 KB, 2 pages) and Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance (PDF, 131 KB, 2 pages)overfailures to handle safeguarding allegationsinline with the Commission's guidanceand trustee duties.

The Commission's definition of safeguarding includes taking reasonable steps to protect from harm all those whocome into contact with a charity.

Thecharities, whichhavepurposestoassistand promote the work of the Church of England in the Dioceses of Liverpool and Chelmsford respectively, have both been issued with Official Warningsand advice on how toimprove their practice for the future.

Background

Safeguarding concerns were initially brought to the Commission's attention from various sources, including media reporting, in January 2025.Theserelated to allegations about behaviour towards two adults by the then Bishop of Liverpoolwho resigned later that month while maintaining no wrongdoing had occurred.

As part of its regulatory compliance cases, the Commission engaged with the trustees of both charitiesand gathered extensive further information.

Findings

The Commission has found thatin both charities there was a failure to properly handle safeguarding allegations and to maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding by the trustees, in breach of the Commission's safeguarding guidance.

In both instances,due to lack ofappropriate proceduresand processes, those trustees who knew of the allegationsfailed totake action that would have allowed thetrustee boardstofully considerany risks and make a decision on the appropriateactiontotake.

While the Commission recognisesthe need forsensitive handling ofserious allegations among large trustee bodies,the Commission found there were insufficient processes and procedures in place to ensure adequate oversight of safeguarding andprotection ofthose whocome intocontact withthe charity.

This alsomeantthe trustees of the dioceseswere not able toconsider whether the mattersshould be reported to theCharityCommission as serious incidentswhen the allegations were first made in2023.The incidents were subsequentlyreportedto the Commissionin early 2025after media interestin the allegations.

TheCommission has concluded that these failings amount to mismanagement in the administration of the two charities.

Next steps

The Official Warnings set out that both charities must ensurethey haveadequate understanding of the Commission's guidanceontaking reasonable steps toprotect people from harmwhocome into contact withtheircharities.

Thetrusteesmust also ensure that, where responsibility for safeguarding is delegated to individuals or sub groups, robust policies and procedures for reportingappropriate informationto the wider trustee boardsare in place and followed.

Further to this, thecharities must ensurethat serious incidents are reported promptly to the Commission, with processes to support this put in place.

Thecharitiesarealsorequired toupdate theregulator on their progress with actions set out in the Official Warnings.

Wider learning for the sector

These cases highlight lessons forallcharitieswell beyond the Church of England, especially other faith charities.Specifically, the Commission would highlight:

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the need forsafeguardingprocedures and processes tobe properly understood by all thosewhomay receivereports of allegations, reinforced with regular training and an organisationalcommitment to continual learning and improvement

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the need forappropriate reportingmechanismstoappraise thewhole trustee body when safeguarding allegations are made(even if some details are kept confidential), toensuretrusteescan fulfil their legal duties and assure themselves that the right steps are being taken to manage anysafeguarding or other risks

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the need for particular care and attention bytrustees and charity leaders in handling allegations related to individualsin positionsof power or influence,includingspiritual influence.Trustees should beawareof the risks of individuals abusing positions of trust they hold within a charity-as reflected in the Commission's safeguarding guidance - including by virtue of holdinga religiousleadership position.

David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of theCharity Commission, said:

Churchesand cathedralsplay a valued role in communities across the country, with devoted volunteers and clergy making a positive impact in countless ways. As separate charities, diocesan boards perform a distinct butimportantrole, and their actions can have a wide-reaching impact on other Church charities.

In thetwo diocesan charities,lack ofappropriate policiesand proceduresled to a failure toensure that serious allegations against a senior figure wereproperly consideredby therelevant trustee bodies.We will further engage with both charities as they continue to take steps to address our concerns.

More widely,trustees must be able toeffectively challenge the behaviour of powerful individuals,including where that power derives from spiritual leadership.Thisunderlines the need foradequate reporting mechanismsback toalltrusteeswhensafeguarding responsibilities are delegated tosmaller groups or individuals, so that trustee boards can fulfil theircollective dutyto help keep people safe.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

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The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Read  further information about what the Commission does. 

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The Official Warnings are issued under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011 and published on the charities' respective entries of the public register of charities. 

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The Commission's safeguarding guidance sets out the steps trustees should take to protect people whocome into contact withtheir charity from abuse or mistreatment.When referring to "safeguarding" the Commissionusesthe definitioninthisguidance, which includesduties towardsall those who come to contact with a charity.

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Thecharities'registered names and charity numbers are:The Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance(249740) andThe Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance(249505)

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A statement made by thethen Bishop of Liverpoolon 28 January 2025regardingthe allegations can be found on the Diocese of Liverpool website

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.