News

Safeguarding: Everybody's Business

11 December 2020

Early in 2020 Wakefield Cathedral’s own safeguarding arrangements were audited by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). As well as highlighting areas of good practice at the cathedral, the report offered the cathedral a number of ‘considerations’ and at its December meeting the Cathedral Chapter approved a Safeguarding Plan in response to the audit.

The IICSA reports demonstrate just how vital it is that the every cathedral and parish church should have good safeguarding practice at the heart of its ministry, and we are determined that this will be the case at Wakefield Cathedral. Our own audit report showed that we take safeguarding seriously at the cathedral, and I am very grateful to, and proud of, my colleagues – clergy, lay staff and volunteers – for all they do to ensure that we are a place where everyone feels safe. But there is never room for complacency, and our Safeguarding Plan makes it clear that we are determined to continue developing our processes and procedures in line with good practice. Safeguarding is everybody’s business, and together we will ensure that Wakefield will remain a place where everybody feels safe.