Since 1881, when Preb. Edward Rudolf , then a Sunday School teacher, received the consent of Archbishop Archibald Tait to found The Children's Society on the Church’s behalf, we have been working alongside the Church of England to reach out to those forgotten children who face danger, discrimination or disadvantage in their daily lives; children who are unable to find the help or understanding they need anywhere else.
Our partnership with the Church of England is very important to the work of The Children’s Society. Although we do not always use the charity’s full title, we remain The Church of England Children's Society. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are presidents of the Society and nearly all of the Diocesan and some Suffragan Bishops (60 in all) are Vice-Presidents, and the Chair of Trustees is currently the Bishop of Leicester, Bishop Tim Stevens. Nationally, we work closely with the Bishops in the House of Lords, the network of Children’s and Youth Work Advisers, the Board of Education and The National Society which oversees and works with all Church of England primary and secondary schools, General Synod and with Dioceses and parishes across England. We continue to affirm our Christian mission and values and our partnership in mission with the Church of England and to look for new ways to express that partnership.
Our actions are guided by Christian values and the unconditional belief in the worth and importance of all children. It is our motivation for working with children and young people. Read more information about our Christian values .
