Meet Stacey
Stacey Flegg is our Church of England Redress Scheme expert
Stacey worked tirelessly to secure me a good outcome. I wholeheartedly recommend Winstons solicitors.
Important Update
The launch of the full National Redress Scheme has been delayed. The earliest date for its final legislative approval is now July 2025. This delay is to allow for a review following the Makin Report, which may broaden the scheme's eligibility criteria.
The Redress Survivor Working Group (RSWG) is a group of people who suffered abuse at the hands of the Church, and they meet regularly to consider the different aspects of the scheme.
In February 2025, The Redress Project Board, which includes 2 panel members of the RSWG took the strategic decision to defer the delivery of the scheme to reflect further on the findings of the Makin report to ensure that the Scheme's eligibility criteria sufficiently acknowledges the failings and negligence of the church and its office holders.
What is the Church of England Redress Scheme?
The Church of England Redress Scheme is a national redress scheme proposed to compensate victims of church-related abuse.
The Church of England Redress Scheme is due to become available to survivors of physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual and psychological abuse, neglect and financial abuse with awards ranging from £5,000 to £660,000.
The Scheme is set to be one of the most generous schemes in terms of redress, in that it aims to offer financial, therapeutic, and emotional support for a wide range of abuse.
Although the Scheme is not yet open to claim against, the Church of England have opened an interim scheme for those in dire need.
How does the Church of England Redress Scheme work?
The Church of England Redress Scheme is anticipated to run as a 4-stage process:
Stage 1 – Awards between £5,000 and £150,000 to be awarded depending on the category of the abuse.
Stage 2 – aggravating factors will be considered. This could include the length of time the abuse took place – At stage 2, the initial award may be doubled.
Stage 3 – Consideration of an additional payment of up to £250,000 when the full impact of the abuse will be considered.
Stage 4 - There will also be consideration (in exceptional circumstances) for an increase of up to 20% of the awards given in stage 1, 2 and 3.
As well as offering financial, emotional and therapeutic redress, the Scheme also says it can offer apologies to those who were victims of abuse. As experts specialising in Sexual Assault and Abuse, we understand how important it is for victims to feel heard and how much accountability and recognition means to them.
Who can claim?
Regardless of where you live now, or where the abuse took place. All victims of church-related abuse are encouraged to apply to the Church of England Redress Scheme.
The scheme is not intended to attempt to “take away” or excuse the abuse that a person has suffered. However, it is hoped that it will provide an acknowledgement of wrong-doing and help to rebuild a person’s life after abuse.
How do I claim?
The Church of England Redress Scheme, although not yet open, is anticipated to become available towards the end of this year (2024).
It is set to run for 5 years; however, we believe that it is imperative to the success of your claim to submit this as soon as possible.
If you, or someone you know has suffered abuse at the hand of a member of the Church of England, its parishes or Cathedrals, contact our Litigation Specialists at Winston Solicitors for a free initial consultation.
The Interim Support scheme – What is this?
The interim scheme, set up in 2020, has been made available to those who have been most severely effected by the abuse they suffered at the hands of the Church.
It aims to offer financial assistance to those in immediate need.
It can offer and initial payment of £2500.00 and is intended to provide short-term help to those in most dire need.
To apply to the Interim Support scheme, you must be able to show that you have experienced church-related abuse and that you require immediate support, as there is or would be a significant risk to your physical or mental health.
You will also need to show that the difficulties are because of the abuse suffered and that you are unable to receive support from any other organisation.
