The Church of England’s long-awaited redress scheme for abuse survivors is facing renewed criticism, with some warning it is “not fit for purpose”.
The scheme, which was approved by the Church of England’s General Synod in July, is expected to go live by the end of 2026. It was proposed after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) strongly criticised the Church’s handling of abuse disclosures.
Concerns intensified in September 2026 following a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally by the Redress Scheme Survivor Advisory Group.
The group, made up of survivors who helped advise on the scheme, said they could no longer support it in its current form and accused the church of failing to consult them on key issues. They said the scheme risked re-traumatising survivors rather than treating them with dignity, respect and compassion.
Among their concerns are requirements for survivors seeking funding for therapeutic support to undergo a fresh psychiatric assessment, restrictions on the maximum compensation available and the absence of a meaningful restorative justice process.
Awards are expected to range from £5,000 to £667,000, with the church setting the criteria and formula used to calculate payments. Eligibility for the scheme requires either a close connection between the abuser’s church-authorised role and the abuse, or evidence that a church officer knew, or should have known, of a significant risk that the abuser might commit similar abuse. There is no time limit on when the abuse took place, but the scheme will be open to applications for five years.
Malcom Johnson, who is head of the abuse team at Lime Solicitors last week hosted a seminar on the scheme. Describing it as “not fit for purpose” he said “the church has had seven years to get this right, yet its failure to properly consult with survivors is unforgiveable.
“What we are looking at is Windrush, part two. There is a real danger that victims will be subjected to further delays, more trauma and ultimately told they do not qualify because of the strict terms set by the church.
“A redress scheme should offer survivors a route to justice and recognition, not put further barriers in their way. The church cannot claim to be putting survivors at the heart of this scheme while ignoring their concerns. It is simply not good enough.”
Outlining the scheme on its website, the Church of England said its purpose "is to acknowledge the harm the abuse has caused and the impact on people’s lives. The Scheme aims to offer meaningful recognition to victims and survivors. It also demonstrates the Church of England’s commitment to acknowledging and responding to past safeguarding failings.
“Survivors of Church-related abuse have provided their input into the design of the scheme, helping to ensure the Scheme is as survivor-centred as possible”.
Draft legislation for the scheme still needs to pass through Parliament ahead of its introduction in late 2027.
Premier Christian News has contacted the Church of England for a response.