The Bishop of Carlisle is set to travel to Australia to explore how the church there is supporting social care provision.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has asked the Rt Rev James Newcome to make the trip in his role as the Church of England’s lead bishop on health and social care.

Bishop James flew out on Thursday, February 16 prior to spending eight days exploring the work of Anglicare Southern Queensland.

His trip comes just weeks after the publication of a new Archbishops’ Commission report on the Reimagining of Care which calls for a National Care Covenant.

This would set out the responsibilities of everyone involved in care and support: individuals, families, communities and local and national government.

Bishop James, who co-chaired the Commission, said: “I very much look forward to investigating further how through the Anglicare model, the church in Australia is actively drawing alongside and supporting those people in the community who need social care provision.

“What everyone involved in the Commission report has recognised is that for too long now there has been a lack of investment and long-term planning around social care provision. This must change and we see an opportunity for the Church to pro-actively feed into that process.”

The Anglicare Queensland organisation is one of 42 such affiliated groups across Australia, having been formed more than 150 years ago. Whilst a part of the Diocese of Brisbane, the governance responsibility is delegated to a separate Commission.

It has approximately 600 staff who work in residential aged care and a further 1500 staff working to provide ‘in home care’ services.

Each night the organisation has approximately 1200 children in its care – largely through foster parents but also residential youth programs. It also runs a women’s shelter, a home for homeless men, and counselling services.

Bishop James added: “I have read with huge interest the much valued and wide array of services which are offered up to those who need them in Queensland, all given through God’s grace and love.

“I’m excited to see what lessons we can learn and consider how these could positively impact social care provision in England.”

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Bishop James will report back to his Care Commission colleagues on his return.