Alongside every diocese in the Church of England, we have been working on a comprehensive safeguarding review of past cases.
The review looks into the way we have handled safeguarding cases in the past making sure that records are up to date and best practice followed. Crucially it looks at what lessons we can learn and what improvements we need to make.
You can read the executive summary of the report here
The review process
Following our own work on getting the information together, we initially appointed Suzanne Cotterell to carry out an independent review of our cases according to the guidelines set out by the national church. During the review Suzanne was appointed to a new role so we asked Colin Taylor to complete the review.
When Colin has completed the review, he will report her findings to Sir Mark Hedley, Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Panel as well as Bishop Paul, the Bishop of Liverpool. She then sends a report to the national church which is collating information from every diocese.
Parishes and individuals have already contributed to this review by checking their records for safeguarding cases and asking key personnel for any recollection of concern.
About our Independent reviewer
Colin Taylor is an ideal person to carry out this review. He is on the National Safeguarding Team’s approved list of Independent Reviewers and has completed the review for the Archbishop of York. He is suitably experienced in terms of his independence from the Diocese of Liverpool and also by having safeguarding investigative work and risk assessment described in set PCR2 criteria.
Colin’s career has been in public service as both a police officer and a secondary school teacher. As a police officer he served in all ranks and in various disciplines up to Chief Superintendent. At various times he headed up the departments for Crime and Specialist Operations, Criminal Justice and served as an Area Commander before finishing that career as Chief of Staff and Director of Corporate Communications.
Find out more about the national past cases review here
Reporting past concerns
The Diocese of Liverpool is keen to make sure that survivors of abuse feel they have the ability to raise any concerns about how a case may have been dealt with. So, if you wish to discuss your experiences then please contact colin.taylor@liverpool.anglican.org
Meanwhile, it is not too late for you to contribute to the review. if you have information that you haven’t reported but wish to be part of the review then contact safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org
Reporting a current concern
If you have a current concern then contact the safeguarding team at safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org
The diocesan safeguarding team is committed to responding to safeguarding concerns, providing advice, and supporting survivors. We are not able to offer an emergency or 24-hour response.
Supporting survivors
Reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing. Liverpool Diocese aims to deal with any contact made by a survivor/victim of abuse in a church-related context with empathy and integrity. Click here for information about how you can get support and advice
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. Find out how to access support here.
Other support
You may wish to contact one of these 24-hour helplines to report abuse
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5 pm).