6 November 2026
Article originally published 8 October. Last updated with new resources 6 November.
In August 2023, INEQE Safeguarding Group was appointed by the Archbishops’ Council to carry out the next round of independent external audits of Church of England dioceses and cathedrals. The purpose of these audits is to make sure dioceses and cathedrals are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. The Diocese of Chelmsford and Chelmsford Cathedral will be audited at the beginning of February 2027 as part of this five year audit process.
Bishops encourage people to take part in the INEQE Safeguarding Audit Survey
Ahead of the audit, INEQE hope to engage with people in church communities through a confidential and anonymous online survey. The Bishop of Chelmsford and our Area Bishops of Barking, Bradwell and Colchester have recorded a video encouraging people from church communities across the Dicoese of Chelmsford to take part in the survey. Their video can be watched below.
Take part in the Survey
There are different versions of the survey for different groups of people in our church communities. If you belong to more than one group, please fill out a survey for each group you belong to. The surveys for Chelmsford Diocese and Chelmsford Cathedral can be accessed by clicking the button below. They will remain open until 11.30pm on 8 December (the survey was previously scheduled to close on 1 December).
Take part in the survey
Promoting the INEQE survey in your own church community
A range of resources has been produced to help church leaders promote the survey in their own church community:
Notice to read out in church
Image for digital screens
Poster to display in church
Flyer for pews A5 2 to a page
Flyer for pews A4
Model copy for newsletter, pew sheets, website and social media
Social media graphic
QR code graphic
Letter from INEQE to church community
Share the bishops' Facebook video
Share the bishops' YouTube video
Resources for youth leaders
A template email for parents and guardians of children under 13, encouraging them to complete the survey with their child.
A template email for parents and guardians of young people aged 13–17, explaining how the survey will be shared and discussed.
A flyer for young people aged 13–17 that can be distributed through youth groups and other church activities.
Other ideas to help promote the survey in your church community
Safeguarding Sunday
This year's Safeguarding Sunday takes place on 15 November and provides a timely opportunity to encourage people in your church to complete INEQE's survey and help improve safeguaridng in our diocese. For example you might ensure that a church notice is read out and if internet connectivity permits, one or two laptops or tablets are made available after church services for people to complete the survey there and then.
Helping people to complete the online survey
INEQE's surveys are only available online, so please help those in your church community who might find this challenging to share their views. For example you might add something to your church notices encouraging those who aren't easily able to complete an online survey to speak with a church officer about helping them to do so. Alternatively, a church officer might be available after church each Sunday with a laptop or tablet to help people complete the survey there and then (internet connectivity permitting).