The landmark vote completes the Church’s legislative process, paving the way for the scheme to open for redress applications, subject to parliamentary approval and royal assent. 

Designed to address the profound harm caused by Church-related abuse, the new, independently administered scheme will offer not only financial redress but also formal apology, acknowledgment, therapeutic support, and other forms of bespoke redress. 

The scheme has been developed over the past four years in response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), with over 160 policy decisions taken with survivor input. The Church Commissioners have already committed £150 million, underscoring the Church’s dedication to its implementation and long-term sustainability. 

With input from survivors and safeguarding professionals, it aims to embody a trauma-informed and person-centred approach.

Phil Johnson, a survivor of Church-related abuse and a member of the Redress Project Board, welcomed today’s vote: “I am relieved and pleased that Synod has voted to approve the redress scheme. It is the culmination of years of hard work and when it opens, it will make a huge difference in the lives of people. For the Church, it is an opportunity to rectify some of the harm that’s been done to victims and survivors.” 

During the debate at the General Synod’s July group of sessions, the Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, and Chair of the Redress Project Board, paid tribute to all who developed the scheme, particularly highlighting the contributions of the Redress Survivor Working Group, who provided input at every stage. 

Following the vote, Bishop Philip added: “Today marks a significant and welcome step in providing much needed redress for victims and survivors of Church-related abuse. Once operational, this independently run, survivor-focused scheme will be a crucial response to a clear need. It will make a real difference to people’s lives, offering not just financial redress but heartfelt apology, acknowledgment, and care, treating survivors with the fairness, compassion, and dignity they deserve.” 

A key principle of the scheme is its independent administration, ensuring that decisions are made by trained assessors, free from influence by Church officials or bishops. 

A public website will open from Friday (18th July), enabling prospective applicants to register their interest and receive advance notification of the scheme’s official opening date once it is known. Prospective applicants can register their interest by visiting from Friday: www.redresscofe.org. Once the scheme is open and operating, survivors will be able to apply at this same dedicated website. 

The redress legislation was approved in two parts:  

• The passing of the Measure establishes the legal underpinning for the scheme, including eligibility criteria, types of abuse covered, and provisions for Church contributions and financial safeguards; and the Rules detail the operational procedures, including application processes, assessment criteria, appeals mechanisms, and data protection protocols.
• The Measure was approved by General Synod with an overwhelming majority, following approval of an amendment brought by Bishop Julie Conalty (Chester) to ensure financial awards from the Interim Support Scheme (ISS) would not offset future financial awards made through the redress scheme.