This report arises from the call for information and voluntary listening exercise relating to non-recent safeguarding concerns connected with St Andrew’s Chorleywood. The exercise was launched following safeguarding disclosures received in recent years which indicated that others may have experienced harm but had not yet been heard. It invited people to share information or experiences connected with the church during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, so that support needs could be understood, any current safeguarding risks identified, and learning taken forward.
The report draws together themes from the experiences and information shared during the exercise. It is not a formal investigation and does not make findings of fact about individual cases. Instead, it seeks to ensure that those who came forward have been heard, to identify learning from what was shared, and to contribute to ongoing safeguarding development and improvement. The report concerns non-recent matters and does not raise concerns about current safeguarding practice or leadership at St Andrew’s Chorleywood.
By publishing the report, it is hoped that the learning from this process will contribute to a culture in which concerns are raised, heard and responded to well, helping to build a safer church for everyone.