What is the Church of England Redress Scheme?
By David Greenwood
The Church of England Redress Scheme is a national programme for people who have experienced abuse connected to the Church of England.
It aims to recognise the harm survivors have experienced and provide meaningful redress. Depending on their circumstances, eligible applicants may receive a financial payment and other forms of support, such as a personalised apology.
The Scheme also acknowledges past safeguarding failures by the Church of England and is intended to provide an opportunity for survivors to have their experiences recognised.
Survivors have been involved in shaping the Scheme, helping to make sure their experiences and needs are considered.
When does the Church of England Redress Scheme open ?
The scheme is likely to open in November or December 2026.
How long will the Scheme run?
The Scheme will operate for five years from the date it opens.
The closing date for applications will be made clear, giving survivors time to consider their options and decide whether they wish to apply.
What could redress include?
Redress is intended to recognise the harm someone has experienced and provide support that reflects their individual circumstances.
Depending on the application, it may include:
- A financial redress payment to recognise the harm caused by the abuse.
- A personalised apology acknowledging what happened and its impact.
- Therapy or counselling to help survivors access emotional support.
- Spiritual support, including prayer, if requested.
- Other forms of recognition and support to meet individual needs.
Redress is not about putting a value on someone's experience. It is about recognising what happened, acknowledging the harm caused and providing meaningful support. The maximum payment could be £660,000.
Who will assess my application?
Applications will be assessed by Kennedys Solicitors, which has been appointed to act for the regulatory body responsible for the Scheme.
Kennedys is the Scheme Administrator. Its role is to consider applications against the eligibility criteria and the requirements set out in the Abuse Redress Measure.
An independent board will oversee the Scheme to help ensure it operates fairly, transparently and consistently. The board will be chaired by someone independent of the Church of England.
It's important to understand that Kennedys won’t give you independent advice. Part of their job is to restrict payments. If you want advice about your own circumstances, help understanding your eligibility or support with making a claim, you can speak to an independent specialist abuse solicitor at Switalskis.
Am I eligible to apply?
Eligibility will be determined through the application process. The Scheme includes two main pathways:
- Close connection: where there is a clear connection between someone's role in the Church of England and the abuse they experienced.
- Failure to act: where someone in a position of responsibility within the Church knew about the risk of abuse but failed to take reasonable steps that could have prevented it.
Each application will be considered individually, based on its own circumstances and the relevant eligibility criteria.
What if the abuse happened outside England?
You may still be able to apply.
The Scheme is for people who experienced abuse connected to the Church of England, regardless of:
- Where the abuse took place.
- Where they currently live.
Applications can be made from outside the UK, provided the relevant eligibility criteria are met.
How will applications be assessed?
The Scheme will open through a phased rollout.
The first 200 applications received will be the first to be assessed. This approach is intended to help ensure applicants receive the support they need as the Scheme gets underway, while allowing any early issues to be identified and addressed.
The Scheme will remain open to new applications during this time. Applications received after the first 200 will also be accepted and will enter the assessment process as capacity becomes available. This means applications may not necessarily be assessed in the order they are received.
Whether and when you apply is your choice. You can submit an application as soon as the Scheme opens or choose to apply later. We’ll help you with the application.
What support is available during the application process?
Applying for redress can bring up difficult memories and emotions. The Scheme recognises this and has arrangements in place to support survivors.
These include:
- An independent Redress Helpline: The Survivors Trust has been appointed to provide support to people preparing and submitting applications. The helpline will open when the Scheme launches.
- Legal advice funding: Up to £5,000 to help applicants understand the process and their options.
- Financial advice: Support where needed.
The independent helpline is not yet open. Until it becomes available, questions about the Scheme can be directed to the Church of England by emailing redress@churchofengland.org .
You can also speak to an independent specialist abuse solicitor if you would like advice about your own circumstances or help understanding your options. Here at Switalskis we have a team of dedicated child abuse solicitors experienced in church abuse cases who can help you through the process.
Will I need to obtain my own records?
No. You will not be expected to obtain Church records yourself. It might help if you still have some records but its not essential.
The Scheme Administrator, Kennedys solicitors, may need information held by Church bodies to assess an application. To help with this, the Church of England has appointed a Central Disclosure Team.
The team's role is to gather relevant records from Church bodies and provide them to Kennedys, helping to make sure information is collected consistently.
If information is needed to assess your application, Kennedys will request it on your behalf. This may also include information held by other organisations where relevant.
You do not need to submit Subject Access Requests (SARs) or instruct a solicitor just to obtain these records.
Only information relevant to your application will be requested and shared. It will be handled carefully and in line with legal and data protection requirements.
Can I get legal advice about the Church of England Redress Scheme?
Yes. You can seek independent legal advice here at Switalskis solicitors to help you understand the Scheme, its eligibility criteria and the options available to you.
At Switalskis, our specialist abuse solicitors provide confidential, trauma-informed guidance to help survivors understand their options and make informed decisions.
We can explain how the Redress Scheme works, discuss whether you may be eligible and help you consider whether applying through the Scheme is the right option for you.
If you would like to speak to one of our religious and church abuse claims specialists in confidence, or find out more about the Church of England Redress Scheme , call us on 0808 239 5763 or contact us through our website .
Find out how Switalskis can help you
At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com.
David has worked in the legal sector for 30 years. He is a Solicitor, Director and Head of Switalskis' Child Abuse Compensation department.
