Independent Audit of the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST)
The first independent audit of the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST) was published on 5 May 2026. Conducted by the INEQE Safeguarding Group and commissioned by the Archbishops’ Council, the audit assessed the NST against the National Safeguarding Standards.
Key Findings
The audit concludes that the NST has undergone substantial transformation and is now a professional national safeguarding function focused on improving safeguarding practice across the Church of England.
Areas of Good Practice
The report highlights several strengths:
Strong and confident leadership.
A positive internal culture where staff feel able to raise concerns and contribute to improvements.
Successful development and implementation of the National Safeguarding Standards.
Increased use of evidence and information to inform safeguarding decisions.
An effective casework triage system that handles referrals promptly and appropriately.
The report states that the National Safeguarding Standards provide a critical framework for consistent, high-quality safeguarding across parishes, dioceses, and cathedrals.
Recommendations
The audit makes 66 recommendations to strengthen safeguarding further. Key areas for improvement include:
Better communication with victims and survivors about their involvement.
Improved feedback mechanisms with dioceses and cathedrals.
Clearer guidance on when the National Director of Safeguarding can intervene in local cases.
Development of specialist HR safeguarding expertise.
Enhanced contingency planning for case management systems.
Continued investment in national safeguarding training and learning infrastructure.
Response from the National Director of Safeguarding
Alexander Kubeyinje welcomed the report, acknowledging both progress made and the need for further change. He emphasised that the Church has failed victims and survivors in the past and committed to using the audit as a catalyst for accelerating reform and strengthening the operational independence of the NST.
He stated that the Church “will not rest until the Church of England is unequivocally a safer place for everyone.”
Scope of the Audit
The audit involved:
68 engagement sessions with 96 individuals.
Review of 950 documents.
222 survey responses from survivors, NST staff, and diocesan and cathedral personnel.
Seven focus groups and a confidential contact process.
Support for Victims and Survivors
Anyone affected by the report can access independent support through Safe Spaces (0300 303 1056) or contact the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org
Conclusion
The audit recognises significant improvements in the NST’s leadership, culture, and safeguarding systems, while making clear that further work is needed. The 66 recommendations provide a roadmap for strengthening safeguarding arrangements and ensuring the Church of England becomes a safer environment for all.
Read the report here
National Safeguarding Standards
The National Safeguarding Team's independent audit - Alex Kubeyinje
The National Safeguarding Team's independent audit - Bishop Robert Springett