Policies and Guidance

These documents set out the Church’s shared safeguarding commitment and expectations.

• Promoting a Safer Church 
  The Church of England’s safeguarding policy statement for children, young people, and adults. This outlines the Church’s commitment to safeguarding and the expectations that apply across all church settings.
• Example PCC Promoting a Safer Church Policy 
  This document supports safeguarding practice at parish level and help parishes meet their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Key Roles and Responsibilities of Church Office Holders and Bodies Practice Guidance
  The document outlines the key safeguarding roles and responsibilities of key office holders and bodies in line with ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ to support a consistent approach to safeguarding across the whole Church.
• Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults 
  This document describes what is meant by “safeguarding” and defines the different forms that abuse and safeguarding concerns can take. 
• Safer Environment and Activities and Code of Safer Working Practice
  These documents provide practical advice for parishes engaging with children, young people and adults who may be considered vulnerable, with advice on how to conduct day-to-day ministries safely.
• Hirers 
  Guidance outlining safeguarding expectations and agreements for organisations hiring church premises.

These documents provide guidance on recognising, responding to, and sharing safeguarding concerns appropriately.

• Reporting Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations
  Guidance on what to do if a safeguarding concern arises.
• Example PCC responding to concerns and allegations procedure

• Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse
  Guidance and good practice advice on developing healthy cultures that help prevent harm and ensure disclosures are responded to with care and sensitivity.

These documents support safer recruitment practices for roles involving children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

• Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance 
  National guidance setting out safer recruitment expectations across the Church.
• Local Recruitment Policy for Parish Roles 
  Diocesan guidance to support parishes with appointments to roles not covered by national guidance.
• Example PCC recruitment of ex-offenders policy

For practical steps and DBS information, please see the Safer Recruitment & DBS Checks page. 

These documents support transparency, accountability, and learning, and help ensure safeguarding is appropriately overseen.

• National Safeguarding Standards
  The framework that underpins safeguarding expectations and informs governance, oversight, and parish dashboards.
• Serious Incident Reporting Guidance
  Guidance on when and how safeguarding serious incidents should be reported.
• Delegation Resolution Template 
• PCC duty to refer to DBS 
  Guidance on when and how to make a referral to the Disclosure & Barring Service when they have dismissed or removed a person from working with children, young people and / or vulnerable adults because their behaviour.
• Example PCC Managing Safeguarding Complaints Process

Further information about safeguarding governance can be found on the Governance page.

Safeguarding policies and guidance are supported by training and ongoing learning.

Details of required and recommended safeguarding training can be found on the Training page.