INEQE Independent Safeguarding Audit of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Diocese of London

St Paul’s Cathedral has welcomed the publication of an independent safeguarding audit by the INEQE Safeguarding Group, which recognises a strong and growing safeguarding culture across the Cathedral, while also identifying clear areas for continued development.

The audit is part of a rolling Church of England programme, commissioned by the Archbishops’ Council in partnership with the National Safeguarding Team. The report forms part of a wider independent review of the Diocese of London, which can be read in full here.

INEQE acknowledges significant progress made since the Cathedral’s previous safeguarding review in 2022, and highlights what auditors describe as a “palpable sense of institutional safety,” underpinned by strong leadership and a clear commitment to safeguarding as a core element of our Christian mission. 

INEQE found that the overwhelming majority of staff, volunteers and members of the worshipping community feel safe at St Paul’s and feel confident in raising concerns. Auditors noted a welcoming, inclusive and respectful culture, with safeguarding embedded into governance, leadership discussions and day to day operations:

“A significant majority of both staff and worshippers believe they can raise issues regarding conduct without fear of reprisal, indicating a high level of institutional trust and confidence in the established reporting mechanisms.”

Particular strengths identified include the Cathedral’s leadership approach, the work of our Safeguarding Advisory Group (SAG), and robust safeguarding arrangements for choristers, school visits and visitors to this uniquely busy and complex site.
Victims and survivors are and will always be at the core of how we carry out safeguarding at St Paul’s. The Audit found that the Cathedral has shown: 

"Genuine compassion and a commitment to restorative practice. The engagement with the Guild of Companions [an association of former choristers] and the inclusion of a survivor in the Case Management Group are significant steps toward healing.”

It recommends St Paul’s should update its safeguarding webpage with a dedicated survivor subsection, and partner with the Diocese to host wider victim and survivor listening events. 

Our world-renowned chorister programme is a deep source of pride for all at the Cathedral, and we are pleased that INEQE found it an area of significant strength within a complex safeguarding environment. The audit notes that safeguarding for choristers is well understood and carefully managed across the closely connected settings of the Cathedral, the Music Department, the School and the boarding provision. 

Safeguarding is embedded into daily practice, with clear coordination between the Director of Music, the Head of Boarding, independent chaperones and safeguarding leads, supported by regular communication and shared oversight. Choristers who spoke to auditors said they felt safe, listened to and confident that adults would take any concerns seriously:

“Staff working with choristers receive safeguarding training through both the Cathedral and the School. This dual training model supports consistency in language and expectations across both settings. Staff spoke positively about the quality of training and demonstrated confidence in applying safeguarding principles in practice.”

The report also welcomes the introduction of independent chaperones, line managed through the Cathedral’s safeguarding structure, as good practice, and recognises the careful attention given to wellbeing, workload and pastoral care. As the chorister programme continues to develop, including the recent expansion to include girl choristers, the audit recommends formalising existing good practice in this area to ensure it remains consistent, resilient and clearly documented for the future, which Chapter will consider. 

While the report recognises the strength of our existing operation and structures, capacity among safeguarding staff is raised as an area to be invested in and improved on. We have recently added additional administrative support and will review how we can further bolster this to relieve pressure on single post-holders.

The report makes a number of additional constructive recommendations to further strengthen arrangements, including increasing completing the long running review of CCTV coverage, clarifying roles during security and pastoral incidents, and strengthening formal structures for survivor engagement and staff support. The Cathedral will reflect on these recommendations and has committed to publishing and implementing a detailed action plan, overseen by the Safeguarding Advisory Group and Chapter. 

The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s, said:

“We receive the findings of the audit with gratitude and a deep awareness of what still needs to be done. We are pleased that INEQE has recognised the progress made at St Paul’s, and I want to thank cathedral staff and volunteers for their dedication in ensuring this is a safe place to worship, work and visit. We are acutely aware that safeguarding is never ‘finished.’ We owe it to victims and survivors, and to everyone who comes through our doors, to listen carefully, to be honest about what still needs to change, and to respond constructively to the recommendations made.”

Meg Munn, Independent Chair of the St Paul’s Cathedral Safeguarding Advisory Group, added:

“This is a positive report which shows that progress has been made and safeguarding is an increasing priority within the Cathedral. The recommendations provide a helpful framework for further improvement. The proposal to broaden external membership of the Safeguarding Advisory Group is welcome. Robust independent scrutiny is essential to effective safeguarding, and this development will help to support transparency and accountability.”

We will provide updates on progress against the audit recommendations and remain committed to transparency, accountability and continuous learning in its safeguarding practice.

Further information about safeguarding at St Paul’s Cathedral, including how to raise a concern or access support, is available on our safeguarding page.