Across the Diocese of London, churches are embedding safeguarding into everyday life, building trust and transparency. This article explores how we’re making safeguarding visible and active, with a spotlight on the Transforming Southall and Hounslow Project—a powerful example of contextual safeguarding in action.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned across London churches, it’s this: safeguarding isn’t just a rulebook. It’s a culture. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and cared for—and that takes all of us.
Signs of progress across the diocese
The INEQE safeguarding audit gave us plenty to celebrate. With feedback from nearly 50 face-to-face conversations, five focus groups, and over 30 virtual chats, the message was clear: we’re moving in the right direction.
- Parish safeguarding dashboards are now actively used by 95% of churches.
- Referrals to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) have risen—not because things are worse, but because confidence is growing.
People trust the DST as a source of guidance and support. That’s huge. This upward trend tells a story: safeguarding is becoming part of the fabric of church life. It’s visible in our pew sheets, our posters, our conversations, and our decisions. It’s not an add-on or a tick-box exercise. It’s an expression of who we are as disciples.
Spotlight: transforming Southall and Hounslow
Safeguarding isn’t static. It’s alive. And nowhere is that more evident than in the Transforming Southall and Hounslow Project. This bold initiative is planting 15 new congregations, discipling 500 new Christians, and equipping 60 emerging leaders—many from Global Majority Heritage backgrounds. With such diversity comes opportunity—and responsibility.
When the team spotted gaps in safeguarding awareness, they didn’t shrug. They acted. A tailored training day was designed to fit the unique cultural and linguistic dynamics of these communities. It wasn’t one-size-fits-all. It was contextual, practical, and deeply relevant.
Participants started with a safeguarding knowledge level of 1 out of 4. By the end? Most were at level 4. That’s transformation.
Action plans and lasting impact
And it didn’t stop at knowledge. Each group left with an action plan—real steps to make safeguarding part of their DNA. Because safeguarding isn’t an add-on. It’s mission in action. It’s about prevention, recognising and managing risk, supporting victims and survivors, and committing to ongoing learning, supervision, and support.
Why this matters
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It’s active, not passive. It’s about leadership and culture, not just compliance. When we embed safeguarding into every aspect of church life, we create communities where trust and transparency flourish—and where the most vulnerable are protected.
The five national safeguarding standards
If you’re wondering where to start, look to the five National Safeguarding Standards. They’re not just guidelines—they’re a roadmap for culture change:
- culture, leadership & capacity – Building strong foundations for safety.
- prevention – Acting early to stop harm before it happens.
- recognising, assessing & managing risk – Staying alert and responsive.
- victims & survivors – Listening well and offering real support.
- learning, supervision & support – Growing together in wisdom and care.
A call to action
Safeguarding is discipleship in action. It’s how we love like Jesus. And it starts with us—all of us. So, let’s keep going. Let’s make safeguarding visible and normal. Let’s talk about it openly. Let’s make sure every PCC meeting, every ministry plan, every new initiative asks the question:
“How are we keeping people safe?”
Because a safer church isn’t just possible. It’s happening. And together, we can make sure it happens everywhere.