Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) – making our churches safer
Feb 2022 update – national report expected mid-year
In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a national Past Case Review which sought to look at the handling by the Church of child protection cases over many years. All parishes nationally were required to respond by checking records and reporting to the review all known cases of concern about the behaviour of clergy and church officers towards children and vulnerable adults.
This important task was part of the Church’s ongoing scrutiny of its handling of safeguarding files. It was carried out to ensure our churches are safer places for everyone. The safeguarding Past C ases Review 2 is nearing completion in the Diocese of Chester and all our parishes have responded.
Two Independent Reviewers, Claire McEnery and Nicola Bithell, both former Senior Police Officers, have been carrying out this task since early 2021. to date, they have reviewed over 1000 files, including files relating to living clergy going back to 1946, Cathedral files, HR files, and other documents held on-site at Bishop’s House, Chester.
The Independent Reviewers are due to submit their key themes and findings to the National Safeguarding Team. A national report containing overall data, themes, and recommendations from around the country is expected to be published by the Church of England in the first half of 2022.
Read the full update here
Anyone who wishes to be in touch with the diocese on any matter relating to safeguarding is encouraged to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Pauline Butterfield: who can offer support and advice.
by email: pauline.butterfield@chester.anglican.org
or by phone: 07703 800031.
Alternatively, you can contact Safe Spaces, an independent support service providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church.
You can also call the dedicated helpline: 0800 802020 operated nationally by the NSPCC, independently of the Church.