2025-08-07
For those who (like myself) have lived in blissful ignorance of this review, it was set up in October 2019 ...
"These instructions set out the basis on which the National Safeguarding Team of the Church of England commissions Keith Makin (“the Reviewer”) to undertake a review into the Church of England’s handling of allegations relating to the conduct of the late John Smyth QC."
"1. Objective of the Review
1.1 This review (“the Review”) will allow those individuals who have indicated that they have sustained harm at the hands of John Smyth and given an account to the Church of England to describe their experiences.
1.2 The Review will consider the actions of Church of England participants and will identify both good practice and failings in the Church’s handling of the allegations relating to John Smyth, including their safeguarding practice, in order that they can take steps to enhance and improve their response to allegations of abuse and, thereby, ensure the Church provides a safer environment for all"
"The Reviewer will not be able to make formal findings of fact but is asked to give a view, informed by his professional judgment, as to what version of events seems most likely, on the balance of probabilities"
So far, so circumspect, but this from the Key Findings, as published in the Makin Review in October 2024:
"John Smyth was an appalling abuser of children and young men. His abuse was prolific, brutal and horrific. His victims were subjected to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks. The impact of that abuse is impossible to overstate and has permanently marked the lives of his victims. John Smyth’s own family are victims of his abuse."
* Those unprepared for such matters should consider whether they wish to continue reading *
Keith Makin is described as an "independent reviewer".
According to 4 News Keith is a "former social services director".
According to Surviving Church: "He was chosen by the NST for his 30 years of management in the social care field. He has already led on a number of serious case reviews. He is clearly a professional in this line of expertise but there is no indication of any background in the church".
According to the Independent: "Makin is a former director of Social Services, was the chief executive of an independent childcare company, and has much experience in abuse inquiries"
And finally, from the CurchofEngland.org August 2019:
"Keith Makin is an executive in the social care and health sector, with over 30 years experience as a manager. He has held the posts of Director of Social Services, Chief Executive of an independent childcare agency, Executive Director of a Government Improvement Agency and now runs a consultancy in social care and health. Keith is also active in the voluntary sector, having been a Board member and Director of several organisations, including two social enterprises.
Keith is a qualified social worker. He has a degree in Economics, with postgraduate qualifications in Social Administration and Management.
Keith has chaired several local safeguarding partnerships and has led on several high profile reviews and inquiries into safeguarding concerns"
(NB: The fact that Keith Makin and I share the same surname may or may not imply a familial relationship - I don't know him and I haven't investigated the matter since I became aware of him this morning!)
Follow the links to read of his work:
