Critical Systems Theory, Critical Social Psychology and the Social Graces: Safeguarding and the Public Intellectual Environment

Abstract Safeguarding is a fundamental aspect of the church’s role as a public institution. Recent and historic failures have served as a prescient reminder of this. The Church of England’s utilization of a tool from the domain of critical social psychology within its safeguarding structures is not neutral. Within the context of the Church of England, the provenance and nature of this tool is not well understood. Within, the intellectual origins of this tool are laid out indicative lines of inquiry are proposed which should – at the very least – be attended to by leaders within the administrative and public life of the Church.