The charity regulator in Northern Ireland is reviewing information from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), after an internal review uncovered “serious and significant failings” in the charity’s central safeguarding functions.
Last week, PCI revealed that it “failed to deliver an adequate safeguarding service” between 2009 and 2022.
PCI said that in most instances, there was a basic failure to follow its own guidance, adding that the failings were “magnified by major gaps in necessary recordkeeping”.
Speaking at a news conference on 12 November, Trevor Gribben, PCI’s moderator, admitted that the failings in PCI’s central safeguarding functions placed people at risk.
Gribben said: “We’re aware of a number of people who’ve been harmed, and we believe there may well be others as yet unknown to us. We apologise unreservedly for this.”
He announced that, because the failings occurred partly during his tenure as general secretary, he would step down at the end of the month.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) said it was reviewing the information provided by PCI under its serious incident reporting process.
Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was engaged in ongoing discussions with PCI “to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures”.
Charity: ‘We’ve let you down’
David Bruce, convener of PCI’s general council, said the safeguarding failures included instances where the charity did not make referrals to statutory authorities when required.
Bruce said PCI also failed to respond adequately to concerns about individuals in congregations and let down people who suffered harm and sought PCI’s help.
He added that PCI did not adequately monitor some offenders returning to worship in the church following referrals to the charity by statutory bodies.
“The person with lead responsibility for this work during these years is no longer in post,” he said at a news conference on 12 November.
“We’re working closely in support of our current safeguarding team members to both follow up with those who’ve been let down where possible, and to improve our safeguarding governance arrangements and practice.”
PCI has since then implemented actions to address the failings, including increasing its safeguarding staffing and reviewing its policies and procedures.
Bruce added: “Above and beyond all of these necessary steps, however, rests our primary concern, which is the people who’ve been harmed, placed at risk, or who simply didn’t hear from us when they needed help or guidance.
“We’ve let you down, and for this I’m truly sorry. It shouldn’t have happened. I want you to know that we’ll do everything we can to both put in place better arrangements to prevent this from occurring again, and to put the appropriate help and support in place for you now.”
Regulator: ‘New allegations’ in church’s statement
In a statement, CCNI said it is engaging with PCI’s trustees “to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect beneficiaries and restore confidence”.
The regulator said it had also been engaging with PCI regarding a separate dossier it received.
“This dossier contains detailed and complex information, requiring careful review and input from legal experts,” it said.
“As a result, the investigation – which remains open – is taking longer than usual to complete.
“Where necessary, the commission will consider regulatory action in line with its statutory duties.”
The commission said it would determine whether there are any overlapping issues between the matters raised in the dossier and PCI’s statement and investigation report.
“However, at this stage, it is understood that the church’s statement of 12 November references new allegations which haven’t previously been raised with the commission,” it said.
The commission added that safeguarding was “essential” for all charities, which “must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all those they serve”.
