What you need to know
The INEQE Safeguarding Audit is a major part of the Church of England’s national commitment to strengthening safeguarding culture, practice, and accountability across every diocese, cathedral, and palace.
The Diocese of Sheffield will take part in this programme from 11–17 May 2026, with preparation work already underway.
Who are INEQE?
INEQE is an experienced, independent safeguarding organisation based in Northern Ireland. They form part of the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub, offering global expertise in safeguarding practice. Their approach during audits is collaborative: they aim to work with dioceses, ensuring that the process is constructive, supportive, and focused on improvement.
Why the audit matters
The Church continues to confront the impact of safeguarding failures and the harm experienced by victims and survivors. Rebuilding trust requires transparency, accountability, and a demonstrable commitment to improvement.
The INEQE audit:
- Provides an external, evidence-based assessment of how well the Diocese prevents, identifies, and responds to safeguarding concerns.
- Helps ensure that everyone connected with the Church – children, young people, adults, volunteers, clergy, and visitors, feels safe, valued, and respected.
- Encourages an honest reflection on strengths and areas for development so that safeguarding remains central to our mission and ministry.
When it happens – and what to expect
The Church of England’s audit cycle runs from 2023 to 2028, with every diocese and cathedral being audited simultaneously. For Sheffield:
- Audit dates: 11–17 May 2026
- Evidence submission begins: February 2026
- Report publication: July 2026
The Diocese has assembled a core project team that includes Safeguarding colleagues, the Deputy Diocesan Secretary, and representatives from Sheffield Cathedral. Together they will coordinate preparations and communication across the Diocese and Cathedral.
What the audit Covers
INEQE will evaluate the Diocese against the five National Safeguarding Standards introduced in 2023:
- Culture, Leadership and Capacity
- Recognising, Assessing and Managing Risk
- Prevention
- Victims and Survivors
- Learning, Supervision and Support
These standards shape how the Church builds a safe and accountable environment.
How the audit works
INEQE uses a robust, multi-layered process that examines both the systems and the lived experience of safeguarding across the Diocese:
Document review – Analysis of policies, procedures, casework, governance, training, and record-keeping.
Surveys – Confidential surveys will be issued widely across the Diocese including clergy, staff, parish volunteers and survivors to capture honest experiences and perceptions of safeguarding. Engagement is vital to building a full picture.
Interviews & focus groups – Conversations with clergy, Parish Safeguarding Officers, diocesan staff, Cathedral representatives, volunteers, and people with lived experience of abuse. This explores how safeguarding works in practice, not just on paper.
Benchmarking & analysis – INEQE compares the Diocese’s performance against national standards and best practice across other dioceses and safeguarding sectors.
Final report & recommendations
A written report issued in July 2026 will outline findings and provide practical, prioritised recommendations. These will inform action plans overseen by the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and Cathedral Chapter.
What this means for Sheffield
It requires active engagement from clergy, parish officers, staff, and volunteers. Full participation in completing surveys, attending briefings, contributing to focus groups will be vital to ensure an accurate, honest assessment.
Useful links
INEQE Church of England resource hub including annual reports
National Safeguarding Standards
Church of England INEQE webpage
Further resources will be saved to this page in January 2026.