Church of England Redress Scheme

What We Know About the Scheme So Far

In July 2023, the Scheme was backed by a lot of support from the Synod, who voted in favour of the Church redress scheme. This scheme will provide financial payments to survivors of abuse, as well as emotional, therapeutic and spiritual support, to help survivors, who are trying to rebuild their lives.

Later in the year, in October 2023, the first Abuse Redress Measure draft was published. A month later, in November of the same year, this first draft was approved by the Synod.

By approving this scheme, The Church of England is demonstrating a proactive approach to the issue of abuse. At Simpson Millar, we continue to look out for updates as to the progress of this scheme.

It’s important to note that a lot of the time, people don’t know much about the legal side of claiming compensation for religious abuse. This means that it can feel like an intimidating process, especially with new measures and schemes such as this one.  

That’s why, at Simpson Millar, we aim to make this area of the law as accessible as possible, so that survivors of abuse by someone within Church of England can claim compensation without too much additional stress. That’s why we’re here to act as legal representatives for these survivors, so we can help them through the process of claiming compensation to help cover the abuse and its effects in later life.

Whilst nothing can begin to make up for the trauma and long-lasting effects abuse can have, compensation can help survivors make steps towards moving on with their lives, and possibly even beginning to heal.

What will the Scheme Cover?

The Measure adopted by the Synod sets out in more detail how the scheme will work and who will be eligible to apply. In November of 2023, the Synod approved the first draft of the Redress Measure, which made arrangements for a ‘redress body’ to handle a scheme to help and support survivors of abuse.

At this stage we do not have a great deal of detail about how the scheme will work. But, we do know the following:

• The Scheme will compensate anyone who has experienced sexual, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual abuse, neglect, and maltreatment.
• The abuse must have been perpetrated by
  • a person who carried out the abuse had authority to perform a role in the Church of England, or
  • the person who suffered the abuse had reasonable grounds to believe that the person who carried out the abuse had that authority and
  • there was a close connection between activities authorised for performing that role and carrying out the abuse.
• The Scheme includes abuse that took place outside the UK.
• There will be a time limit for applications to be made. The Scheme will run for 5 years from when it starts, though this may be extended.
• There are no requirements for the abuse to have been reported to the police, the local authority or the church, and no conviction is needed.
• In addition to the Church of England committing to contribute £150m to the Scheme, other organisations that are within the Church and different church bodies are also expected to contribute.
• If a survivor has previously received compensation from the Church, their award may be adjusted under the new scheme.
• The scheme will provide funding for legal costs, but this will be subject to a set tariff and specific conditions. Survivors may still require independent legal support beyond what the scheme covers.

When will the Scheme Start?

In late 2023, the Synod approved a Measure which allows the Church of England to create a Redress Scheme for survivors of abuse. Now, the Church of England are beginning to take further steps to set this scheme up.

At this stage we do not know when the scheme will go live though the Church has indicated in the past it is aiming for the scheme to start accepting applications by the end of 2024, but recent updates confirm this has been delayed. The earliest the scheme is now expected to receive final approval is July 2025.

How will the Scheme Work?

Whilst this gives us a good picture of what the Scheme will look like in broad terms, we do not yet have full details on eligibility criteria, required evidence, or how compensation will be calculated.

Although the scheme is still in development, we are already speaking to people who are interested in applying and helping them prepare their case.

We aim to make claiming compensation as straightforward as possible, which is why we’re here to help you understand what’s happening with your case at all times. Whether this means talking you through how this Scheme works, or explaining alternative options available to you, we are committed to providing clear guidance tailored to your needs.

How We Can Help

Please feel free to contact our specialist team of abuse solicitors if you would like to find out more about the Scheme and how we can help.

At Simpson Millar, we can guide you through the legal options available to you. From explaining the Scheme to you later down the line, to exploring other ways you can get help and support for the abuse you’ve experienced by someone within the Church of England of England, we’re here to find you a tailored resolution.

We’ll always aim to advise you in a personal way, once we understand your story and your experiences. This way, we’ll be able to work together with you to find the best outcome for you.

Once we’ve agreed on the best way to move forward, we’ll take you through the process of claiming compensation or seeking other types of help and support. We will keep you updated at every step of the journey, so you understand what’s going on with your case and what the next stages are.

We understand that going back through past memories of abuse can be difficult and traumatising. That’s why we’re always here to point you in the right direction when it comes to mental and emotional support to help you deal with these worries and concerns. Whether we help you find a therapist, support group or an organisation or resource to help you cope with the trauma and effects of the abuse and your case, we’ll try our best to make sure you’re emotionally supported whilst you’re working with us.

We will always aim to stay updated as to what’s going on in this area of the law, so we can talk you through your case and options. That’s why, although we don’t have all the details about this yet, you can still get in touch with us and we can provide tailored and specific legal advice.

If you are considering applying for compensation as part of the Church of England of England Redress Scheme, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today.