Church of England National Redress Scheme

The Church of England National Redress Scheme’s purpose is to compensate, acknowledge and support survivors of Church related abuse. It follows years of campaigning by survivors and recommendations made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) which identified serious safeguarding failures within the Church and the lasting impact these failures have had on those affected.

The scheme is expected to be available to survivors who experienced sexual, physical, emotional, financial or spiritual abuse, as well as neglect, where the abuse was carried out by a person acting in an official Church role or where Church failings allowed the abuse to occur.

For many survivors, deciding whether to engage with a formal process can be difficult. Some have lived with the consequences for many years while others may have concerns about privacy or whether they will have to revisit painful experiences. These are all entirely understandable concerns and if you choose to seek legal advice through us, our role will be to guide and support you through every stage of the process.

When Will the Scheme Open?

Although the General Synod has approved the scheme, applications cannot yet be submitted. The legislation must complete the remaining parliamentary stages before the scheme becomes fully operational. In the meantime, survivors can register to receive updates through the official notification service at https://www.redresscofe.org

The purpose of the service is to provide updates about the scheme’s progress and launch date.

Who Can Apply?

Current guidance indicates that the scheme will be open to individuals who experienced abuse connected to the Church of England, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. This includes survivors who were children at the time as well as those who were abused as adults. Importantly, there is no proposed deadline based on when the abuse took place, recognising that many survivors may only come forward years, sometimes decades later. Eligibility is also expected to extend to survivors living outside England and in certain circumstances, family members of survivors who have since passed away.

What Will the Application Process Involve and How Can a Solicitor Help?

The process is expected to begin with an initial enquiry. If you decide that you would like legal support, we can make that enquiry on your behalf and act as your point of contact throughout the application. This means that, where possible, we can handle correspondence, explain what is happening at each stage and help to prepare any information that may be needed, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Many survivors find reassurance in having the support of an experienced solicitor as it ensures that your interests remain protected throughout.

Importantly, the Redress Scheme may not be the only option available. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have the grounds to pursue a civil claim against the Church which may result in higher compensation in some cases. We can advise you on all of the options available to you and help you to make informed decisions about how you wish to proceed.

The scheme is expected to include provision for legal costs so that survivors can access advice without financial pressure. We will explain this carefully with you beforehand.

We will listen, keep you informed, provide clear and confidential advice and support you in every way that we can.