Safe Spaces Service evaluations

Aims and Objectives

In order to ensure agile, arms-length oversight and decision-making in connection with the Safe Spaces project, the Archbishops' Council and the Catholic Trust for England and Wales ("CaTEW") are forming a new body, Safe Spaces England and Wales (SSEW), a company limited by guarantee which intends to apply for registered charitable status. SSEW will contract with an established and independent provider of services, Charity X, for the purpose of supporting victims and survivors of Christian church-related abuse.

The key purpose of the independent evaluation exercise is for SSEW to understand

-The extent of service uptake

-What aspects of the service worked well and what seemed to be less useful or helpful to service users?

-How much of the cost benefitted the service users?

-Did the resource level match the level of demand?

-Is there evidence from the pilot to support the service (in full or part) being extended beyond pilot?

-Is there evidence from the pilot to suggest that an alternative service type may be more beneficial to survivors and victims of church-related abuse?

The four key areas in scope for this evaluation are:

-Advocacy service (telephone and live chat)

-Grants service

-Website/online resources

-Service user engagement