Parish Safeguarding

Safeguarding in parishes is about creating safer, welcoming, and supportive church communities for everyone and parishes play a vital role in safeguarding children, young people, and adults. Promoting a Safer Church – is the Church of England’s safeguarding policy statement for children, young people, and adults. It sets out the shared commitment and expectations that underpin safeguarding practice in every parish.

The Safeguarding Team works alongside parishes to provide advice, guidance, and practical support. This includes support for parish safeguarding officers, clergy, and PCCs, training and learning opportunities, help with safer recruitment and DBS processes, and additional support where needed.

This page explains what parish safeguarding involves and how parishes are supported to do this well.

Key Information

Are you a new Parish Safeguarding Officer?

Thank you for taking on this important role. To help you get started, please email your name, parish, and contact details to the Safeguarding Team at safeguardingsupport@cofebirmingham.com

You will then receive:

an induction presentation
access to your parish safeguarding dashboard and Safeguarding Hub
details of the safeguarding training you will need to complete
regular safeguarding updates

It's really important to let us know of your new role so that we can keep you in the loop with all the most recent safeguarding information for your parish.

Further information can be found here.

What Parish Safeguarding Involves

Parish safeguarding includes some key responsibilities that help keep people safe and promote good practice. These include:

Having a named Parish Safeguarding Officer – who is not related to the Incumbent, and clear safeguarding arrangements
Ensuring safeguarding concerns are recognised, responded to, and shared appropriately
Promoting safer culture and awareness within the parish
Having a named Parish Identity Verifier – who is not related to the Incumbent, and ensuring relevant roles are safely recruited and supported
Making sure those involved in safeguarding complete appropriate training

These responsibilities are about taking reasonable and proportionate steps and knowing when to ask for advice.

What does a PCC need to do?

The PCC has a shared responsibility for safeguarding and plays an important role in providing oversight and support.

Adopt safeguarding policies - the Policies and Guidance page will help you
Ensure safeguarding is a standing item on every regular PCC meeting agenda.
Ensure the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is updated regularly and discussed at PCC meetings.
Ensure activity risk assessments are conducted and reviewed for all church-related activities involving children or vulnerable adults. This is part of your Parish Dashboard.
Displaying the parish safeguarding policy and contact details for the PSO on church notice boards and, if available, on the church website.
Have a Duty to refer to DBS when they have dismissed or removed a person from working with children, young people and / or vulnerable adults because their behaviour.
Report serious safeguarding incidents to the Charity Commission

For further information see our Policies and Guidance alongside Resources and Helplines

National Safeguarding Standards

Safeguarding within the Church of England is underpinned by the National Safeguarding Standards. These set out the expectations for safeguarding practice, culture, leadership, and governance across dioceses, cathedrals, and church bodies.

Parish safeguarding is supported by these Safeguarding Standards, which provide a shared framework for safeguarding expectations and inform the parish dashboard.

Parish Dashboard

The Parish Dashboard brings together the key safeguarding requirements for parishes in one place. It provides a clear and simple overview to help parishes understand what is needed, track what is in place, and identify where support may be helpful.

To register for access, please contact safeguardingsupport@cofebirmingham.com

A short introductory video explaining how the dashboard works is available below (click the image)

Safeguarding During a Vacancy

During a vacancy, churchwardens have a key role in ensuring safeguarding responsibilities continue to be met. They do this in consultation with the PCC, Area Dean, and Parish Safeguarding Officer. Guidance to support parishes during this period is available here.