The Church of England has today published its Final Report on the recommendations of the Makin Review and the work of the Task and Finish Group, including updates on actions in response to the independent review into the abuse carried out by John Smyth.

The report confirms the November announcement that the Church will accept all 27 recommendations made by the Independent Lessons Learned Review concerning John Smyth QC (Makin Review): 24 in full; and three in part, reflecting a commitment to act on the full range of lessons identified.

The Task and Finish Group, established in 2025, has completed a comprehensive programme of scrutiny of how the Church is implementing each recommendation. Its work has been approved by the National Safeguarding Steering Group, which has  delegated authority for responding to safeguarding recommendations.

The report once again acknowledges the effects of the devastating abuse perpetrated by Smyth and the failures that allowed it to continue. It pays tribute to victims and survivors whose courage in coming forward made the review possible.

In the introduction, Chair of the Task and Finish Group, and lead Safeguarding Bishop for the Church of England, the Rt Revd Robert Springett, writes (abridged):

“This report is, first and foremost, about people – all who have experienced abuse within the Church of England.”

“We write with humility, and with a complete and unreserved belief in those who have come forward.”

“This report is clear that safeguarding must always take precedence over institutional loyalty.”

“Ultimately, what is needed is culture change: deep, sustained, and reaching to every level of the Church, from its national structures to every parish.”

The report highlights significant progress already made, including:

• The introduction of mandatory Safeguarding Codes of Practice, which clearly define the requirements to be followed by all church officers
• Stronger clergy discipline measures, including the removal of time limits for serious cases, so that safeguarding concerns and allegations can be brought forward regardless of how long ago they occurred
• Independent safeguarding audits of dioceses and cathedrals and strengthened whistleblowing arrangements
• Clearer requirements for reporting safeguarding concerns to statutory authorities

A number of recommendations remain in progress, including the development of an independent safeguarding body and further reforms to ensure consistent national standards across all dioceses.

The report also identifies areas where further work is needed, including unresolved questions around the seal of the confessional and the complexity of safeguarding in international contexts.

A central theme of the report’s response to the Makin recommendations is the need to embed a “safeguarding first” approach across the whole Church, ensuring that the protection of all is prioritised above all other considerations, including institutional reputation.

The report also emphasises the need to embed a victim-and-survivor-centred approach, with trauma-informed practice now embedded across safeguarding work. It calls for greater consistency in the support offered to survivors, so that all receive the same standard of care regardless of where they come forward.

The Task and Finish Group stresses the importance of the recommendation from the Makin Review that safeguarding must be understood as the responsibility of everyone in the Church – clergy, lay leaders and volunteers alike – and must be applied consistently in every context.

Looking ahead, responsibility for overseeing delivery of the remaining recommendations will transfer to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) which will oversee the next phase of implementation.

The Task and Finish Group first met in May 2025.

Read the Terms of Reference

The paper is part of the distribution to General Synod members ahead of the July 2026 Group of Sessions, with most papers due for publication on Thursday 25 June.