Church diocese's safeguarding work praised by report

An independent review into the safeguarding work at a Church of England diocese has praised it as "exceptionally well-led".

The audit into the practices of the Diocese of Oxford was conducted in June, with the results published this week.

Independent industry experts Ineqe Safeguarding Group conducted the review.

It is part of a national programme, commissioned by the Archbishop's Council, to review safeguarding at each diocese and cathedral in the Church of England.

The report said the Diocese of Oxford had a "solid safeguarding foundation" , which was delivered by an "exceptionally well-led and blended safeguarding team".

It also commended what it described as a "safeguarding first" philosophy, and congratulated the parishes in the diocese for their work on the frontline "where talented parish safeguarding officers lead by example" and "collaboration is strong".

The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft said he was "delighted" by the report's findings.

"We want our churches to be welcoming, safe places for all, especially those who are vulnerable," he added.

A number of recommendations to further improve upon the diocese's work were also featured in the report.

Dr Louise Whitehead, head of safeguarding at the diocese, said: "There is still more we can do but we are absolutely on the right trajectory with recognition across the diocese of the need to prioritise safeguarding."

The Diocese of Oxford is the Church of England in the Thames Valley region of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

There are more than 800 churches in 626 parishes - the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England.

The diocese is also home to 285 schools and academies, educating some 60,000 pupils.

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