The Charity Commission “remains keen to understand” whether potential changes made following a Church of England debate on safeguarding in church charities will conflict with or prevent trustees from carrying out their duties, the regulator’s chief executive has said.

Members of the Church of England’s national assembly, the General Synod, will debate two models of independent safeguarding at a meeting in London from 10 to 14 February. 

Discussions will take place after the Makin Review into the abuse committed by John Smyth, published in November, led to the resignation of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In a letter published on 24 January, David Holdsworth urged Church of England charity trustees to “remain aware” of their legal duties as it prepares to make changes.

In another letter published today, sent to trustees of the Diocesan Board of Finance, Holdsworth said the regulator would consider any information it received following the General Synod debate in accordance with its risk and regulatory framework. 

Holdsworth said: “The commission remains keen to understand whether, following any changes made or agreed by synod, there are any remaining structural, procedural or constitutional arrangements under ecclesiastical law that you consider conflict with, or prevent you and your co-trustees from fulfilling, your safeguarding duties as charity trustees.”

Proposals could see the current diocese, cathedral and Church of England safeguarding officers transferred to a new body.

The alternative would see diocesan and cathedral officers remain in their roles but national staff would be transferred to a new organisation.

Holdsworth said the Makin Review, and other reviews into safeguarding at the Church of England, had raised concerns about the sufficiency of the church’s safeguarding processes and procedures to protect people from harm and hold people to account.

“The church has acknowledged that improvements to safeguarding must be made and the commission understands that the safeguarding-related business to be considered by the synod in February is intended to rectify the inadequacies highlighted by various past reviews and reports,” Holdsworth said.

“The commission will consider any information you provide in accordance with its risk and regulatory framework and take such steps as it considers appropriate as part of our ongoing engagement with the charitable national church institutions.”

“This includes requiring confirmation that any legal impediments so identified by trustees have been, are being or will be addressed (and how).”