In 2027, The Diocese of Derby will take part in an independent safeguarding audit carried out by the INEQE Safeguarding Group.

INEQE has been appointed by the Archbishops’ Council to take an independent look at safeguarding across Church of England dioceses and cathedrals, as well as the National Safeguarding Team.

They want to check how things are working day to day and help us make sure our churches and worshipping communities are places where everyone feels safe, valued and respected.

This audit is a chance to celebrate what we do well, be honest about what we could do better and learn and improve together.

It’s an important part of the Church’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding and being open, accountable and willing to learn.

Everyone is invited to take part in the independent INEQE safeguarding audit, designed to strengthen and support best practice in safeguarding in the Church of England.

The surveys provide an opportunity to share your experiences and perspectives of safeguarding across the Diocese of Derby, including what’s working well and where things could be better.

There are different surveys for:

• Diocesan workforce
• Parish workforce
• Parish community members
• Cathedral workforce
• Cathedral worshippers
• Children and young people
• Victims and Survivors of church-related abuse

When is the audit happening?

The INEQE Safeguarding Audit will begin across the Diocese of Derby in February 2027, with online surveys opening for up to 8 weeks. The team will submit evidence of our safeguarding practices via INEQE’s 360° audit tool, with auditors on site in the diocese and cathedral.

Once published, INEQE’s independent safeguarding audit report will be made available on their website, as well as our diocesan and cathedral sites.

February 2027: Evidence Submission
INEQE open the online portal for our team to submit evidence of our safeguarding practices.

February to April 2027: Surveys
Online surveys are live to the whole diocese, hosted on INEQE’s webpages. Every voice matters.

June 2027: Audit Visits
INEQE Auditors will visit the diocese and cathedral to review practice, gather evidence and hear more voices.

Date tba: Report Published
The full report will be published online with comment from senior staff.

Most dioceses have received over 30 recommendations.

The National Safeguarding Standards

INEQE are carrying out the audit in relation to five safeguarding standards that were established by the National Safeguarding Team of the Church of England.

The Five Standards are:

• Culture, Leadership and Capacity: Church bodies have safe and healthy cultures, effective leadership, resourcing and scrutiny arrangements necessary to deliver high-quality safeguarding practices and outcomes.
• Prevention: Church bodies have in place a planned range of measures which together are effective in preventing abuse in their context.
• Recognising, Assessing and Managing Risk: Risk assessments, safety plans and associated processes are of a high quality and result in positive outcomes. The assessment and management of risk is underpinned by effective partnership working.
• Victims and Survivors: Victims and survivors experience the timeliness and quality of Church bodies' responses to disclosures, and their subsequent support, as positively meeting their needs, including their search for justice and helping their healing process.
• Learning, Supervision and Support: All those engaged in safeguarding-related activity in Church bodies receive the type and level of learning, professional development, support and supervision necessary to respond to safeguarding situations, victims and survivors, and respondents, effectively.

Find out more about the standards here.

The Online Survey

INEQE are inviting people in our diocese to share their experiences through online surveys. The more people who take part, the clearer and fairer the picture will be – so we’re really hoping many of you will take the time to have your say.

There are different surveys for:

• Diocesan workforce
• Parish workforce
• Parish community members
• Cathedral workforce
• Cathedral worshippers
• Children and young people
• Victims & Survivors of church related abuse

You can fill in more than one survey, depending on your role(s) in the parish, diocese and cathedral.

Taking part is completely voluntary, but every response matters, as your voice can help shape meaningful improvement.

All responses are anonymous and confidential – they go directly to the INEQE audit team, not to the Diocese, Cathedral or Church of England.

We’d like people to speak openly and honestly, sharing what’s working well and where things could be better.

What can I do to support the audit in my parish?

Complete the online surveys

Encourage others to fill in the surveys, supporting those who may have accessibility issues

Spread the message in parish newsletters and notices

Put up the survey posters in church buildings and hand out postcards

Get your safeguarding training up-to-date

Be part of a focus group – it’s everyone’s audit

Update the parish safeguarding dashboard and provide information for the 360° Tool, where applicable

Support

If you need advice about a safeguarding matter, please visit our diocesan website safeguarding pages or contact the diocesan safeguarding team

Alternatively, call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

Read more about the Safeguarding Audit on the INEQE website.