Message from the Chair

As Chair of the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Panel (NSP), I am continually reminded of the weight of the Panel’s responsibility, and the opportunity we have to support lasting cultural and practical change across the Church. 

We have travelled to meet in Manchester, Oxford and Birmingham these past 6 months, but I know that many of you have not seen us, nor do you know what we plan to do. That’s entirely my fault because I have focussed on getting our remit clearer and our systems embedded. As we look to the future, I want to take a moment to reflect on our work and purpose, especially in relation to those of you working within Church leadership and safeguarding roles.

 We are RECRUITING now to a number of positions so let me tell you more:

• Vacancies | Church of England

The National Safeguarding Panel serves as an independent and critical friend to the Church, particularly to the Archbishops’ Council, the NSSG, and the NST. We are not operational; we do not manage safeguarding cases or develop policy ourselves. Instead, our role is to scrutinise, advise, and challenge. 

Our mission is to work in close partnership with the Church of England, upholding the highest standards of safeguarding scrutiny and accountability to ensure the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every individual within its community. 

We provide independent oversight of the Church’s safeguarding strategy, policies, and practices, ensuring that they are not only fit for purpose but also aligned with the expectations of survivors, the public, and wider safeguarding standards. We bring together a diverse group of voices, survivors, clergy, safeguarding professionals, and others, to offer insight and reflection. 

Our position allows us to bridge the gap between the Church’s internal processes and external accountability. We aim to help the Church see itself clearly: to celebrate what is working well, to name what isn’t, and to advocate for improvement in a constructive but uncompromising way. 

Values are not mere words, they must shape every aspect of how we run. As a Panel, we are committed to: 

• Integrity: We will speak truthfully, act ethically, and remain transparent in our work. Safeguarding requires moral clarity and the courage to say what must be said.
• Independence: Our value lies in our ability to offer honest scrutiny. We are here to challenge where needed, not to protect the institution’s reputation at the expense of truth.
• Compassion: At the heart of safeguarding are human beings, many of whom carry deep wounds. Survivors' voices must not only be heard but must help lead the way.
• Justice: Our work must reflect a commitment to fairness and the right of all people, especially the vulnerable, to be safe and respected within the Church. 

• Collaboration: We work best when we work together, with the NST, dioceses, clergy, survivors, and others. Collaboration does not mean agreement on everything, but it does require mutual respect and the shared goal of transformation. 

  Looking ahead, I hope the NSP will be a catalyst for lasting culture change, not just policy refinement. Safeguarding is not a standalone function; it must be embedded into the DNA of church life, ministry, and leadership. 

  Over the next three years, I want us to focus on three key areas of impact: 

  1.Strengthened Accountability: We want to see clear lines of responsibility at all levels of the Church. When safeguarding fails, there must be timely, transparent responses and learning that leads to change, not silence or avoidance. 

  2. Deeper Trust with Survivors: Many survivors continue to feel unheard, retraumatised, or sidelined by Church processes. We hope our work will help rebuild trust, by ensuring survivor experiences directly shape decisions and reforms. 

  3. A Preventative, Proactive Culture: We want to see safeguarding move from being reactive to truly preventative, where everyone in the Church, from bishops to volunteers, understands their role in creating safe spaces. Training, theology, leadership development, and pastoral care all have a part to play in this. 

  To all of you working in safeguarding or ministry roles across the Church: the task before us is complex and, at times, painful. But it is also sacred. Our shared commitment to protecting the vulnerable is a reflection of the Church. 

  The National Safeguarding Panel stands ready to work with you, not to maintain the status quo, but to help shape a future where every person is safe, valued, and treated with dignity in the life of the Church. 

  Thank you for your continued dedication. You are some of the most valuable people the Church has and your commitment to protecting the vulnerable is second to none. We look forward to engaging with you over the months and years ahead. 

  Nazir Afzal OBE 

  CHAIR

  22nd October 2025