Chester Diocese and Chester Cathedral welcome publication of INEQE Independent Safeguarding Audit

The audit which took place in 2025, and the results published in August 2026 recognises the significant progress made in recent years, including strengthened safeguarding leadership and governance, improvements in safeguarding culture, and reflects the strong partnership that has developed between the Diocese of Chester and Chester Cathedral.

The continued development of a safeguarding-first approach throughout diocesan life is noted but importantly, the audit identifies helpful recommendations, to bring further development and continuing improvement.

Responding to the Audit Report, the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Mark Tanner and the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford outline:

“We are grateful to the INEQE team for bringing their external and expert eye into the Diocese of Chester and Chester Cathedral to review our safeguarding practices and culture. All of our safeguarding provision relies on the many who serve throughout the Cathedral and Diocese: thank you to each of those who contribute to this work. Thank you also to the individuals and groups across the Diocese and Cathedral who have written and spoken to the INEQE audit team and shared your views and experiences.

"We are deeply mindful of victims and survivors of church-based abuse as this review is read. We have learned from the Safeguarding Practice Review and Past-Cases Review and audits that have been conducted in this diocese, and we continue to have much to learn. We are working to ensure that not another single person is hurt by those who purport to represent the church or who join worshipping communities. We hope that these audits bring some reassurance that we are striving to be a safe church for everybody. We remain committed to listening, learning, and responding well.

"It is reassuring to receive INEQE’s evaluation that we are making progress. We will continue with our strategic approach to improving safeguarding culture and practice. There is further work to do, and this report highlights areas where we will need to focus. We will carefully consider its recommendations and work through our action plans in partnership between both Diocese and Cathedral in the weeks to come. Safeguarding remains at the heart of all we do across the Diocese and Cathedral Church of Chester.

"Whether you are ‘just visiting’, consider yourself at the centre of church life, or anywhere in between, you are part of this vital work. Good safeguarding should be at the heart of all Christian life: please continue to pray; continue to be watchful; and above all, if anything causes you concern, please speak out.’’

For further information about safeguarding within the Diocese of Chester and Cathedral, please visit our respective safeguarding webpages or contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team by email at safeguarding@chester.anglican.org or by phone on 01928 718834 (option 4).

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in

immediate danger, or requires immediate attention, call 999 and ask for the Police.

Read the Independent Safeguarding Audit report here: