Church of England Redress Scheme Update

Appointment of Scheme Administrators

Kennedys Law have been appointed to administer the scheme. This means that they will be responsible for managing the day‑to‑day running of the Redress Scheme once it becomes operational, ensuring that applications are assessed fairly, consistently, and with survivors at the centre of the process.

Such an appointment is a key stage in the development of scheme. Together with the Church of England, Kennedys Law are focussed on creating a scheme that is centred around the survivor, and where everything is carried out as fairly and respectfully as possible.

It has also been confirmed that the scheme will be independently administered, with decisions made by trained assessors free from Church influence, to ensure fairness and dignity for survivors.

Kennedys have a proven track record of administering other redress schemes and we have had excellent outcomes for many clients who have submitted applications to schemes administered by them. We therefore welcome this development.

Proposed financial award framework

Whilst earlier announcements outlined the breadth and nature of abuse that the redress scheme will cover, we now have a proposed framework for the way financial redress will be calculated.

This framework, published by the Redress Project Board in April 2024 after detailed consultation with survivors and external experts, sets out how awards will be assessed and funded.

Whilst the proposed framework focuses on the financial aspect of the redress, the church will also offer other forms of redress such as therapeutic and emotional support and an apology. Financial redress is therefore seen as only one aspect of the scheme.

Below is a table outlining the proposed framework, sourced from the Church of England's website. Financial redress for accepted applications under this scheme will range from £5,000 to £660,000 for the most extreme and exceptional cases.

There will be 4 stages in assessing financial redress:

Stage 1               Category of Abuse

Stage 2               Aggravating Factors

Stage 3               Impact of Abuse

Stage 4               A discretionary 20% uplift on the cumulative sum of stages 1 to 3

The awards made for the Category of Abuse in Stage 1 will be between £5,000 and £150,000, depending on the nature and severity of abuse experienced by the applicant. A multiplier of up to x2 of the Stage 1 award can be applied if there are any aggravating factors. Stage 3 will look at the impact of the abuse - this is likely to cover factors such as psychological or psychiatric injury resulting from the abuse and loss of earnings or opportunity as a result of the abuse. In rare and exceptional circumstances, a final discretionary uplift of up to 20% can be applied to the cumulative sum of stages 1 to 3.

An important amendment has also been passed to ensure that any financial awards received under the Interim Support Scheme (ISS) will not reduce future awards made through the redress scheme.

At present those involved in designing the scheme are working with Kennedy’s to create a process for assessing the different types of abuse and the impact this has had, and we will have a greater understanding of what these stages will cover once this work has been completed.

Who will pay?

The proposed scheme includes up to £150 million in funding from the Church Commissioners. Additionally, the Board recommends that the Church body closest in governance to where the abuse occurred should contribute to any financial redress.

Under the proposal such a contribution would be voluntary, though the plan is clearly for local churches or regional dioceses to contribute to financial redress for abuse that took place under their governance.

It may seem daunting to consider applying for compensation, especially if the abuse took place within the Church. Many people worry about the financial aspects of claiming compensation, such as legal fees and other associated costs. This stress can prevent survivors from coming forward and reporting the abuse due to their fears and concerns about the financial burden.

The Church has confirmed that the scheme will provide funding for legal costs, but this will be subject to a set tariff and specific conditions.

Next steps

The scheme has now passed Synod and is moving to the final stage of parliamentary approval and royal assent. Survivors can register their interest at https://www.redresscofe.org/ to be updated when applications formally open.

What steps can you take now?

Even though we do not have full details of the scheme at this point, or when the scheme will be up and running, we have already accepted instructions from victims and survivors of abuse within the Church of England. We are working with survivors now to prepare their claims so they are ready when applications open.

We will continue to keep you updated on any changes or news on the scheme, to ensure you are equipped with all the new information as it comes. More details are expected as the Church of England continues its work on the scheme, but we encourage survivors to start preparing now.

The Church has confirmed that the scheme will cover legal costs, but this will be limited to a set tariff and specific conditions. Whilst some legal support will be funded, it may not cover all aspects of a claim.

Support for survivors

We recognise that reading about the redress scheme may be distressing. If you need support, you can contact the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit the Safe Spaces website.

Safe Spaces is an independent support service, offering a confidential space for anyone who has experienced abuse within the Church of England or Church in Wales. The service provides emotional support, practical advice, and guidance, whether you want to talk about what you’ve experienced, or access counselling and safeguarding information.

How can we help?

At Simpson Millar, our abuse solicitors are here to support you at every stage, from understanding the scheme as it develops to preparing your application when it opens. You can count on us to stand by your side throughout.

We’re here to provide you with the highest level of legal help and advice throughout all stages of this process, in an accessible and easy to understand way.

We will continue to provide updates as to the progress of the scheme, so that you’re always updated. When the scheme is ready for applications, we’ll walk you through the process and what information you’ll need to provide, helping the process remain as simple and easy as possible. We will gather evidence on your behalf as well as guiding you through the process. We’re here to work with and for you, being in your corner at all times.

If you would like to find out more about the scheme and how we can assist, get in touch with our friendly and helpful team today. We're here to offer assistance and support whenever you need it.