Promoting a Safer Church

Welcome to the Church of England's Safeguarding Manual

This manual contains the Church’s safeguarding policy, procedures and guidance. It also contains resources to support good practice including information sheets, good practice guides and templates.

Safeguarding' means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

"Safeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith. We are all made unique and in the image of God. Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance (see John chapter 10 verse 10).

The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all. In order to do this, we must be obedient to Christ who placed a child in the midst of his disciples and encourages us all to be childlike in our faith (see Matthew chapter 18 verses 1 – 5). So, we must practice fully and positively a ministry to all children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm."

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How to guide

Parish Safeguarding Handbook

The handbook is designed to support the day to day safeguarding work of parishes.

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Safeguarding Policy, Procedure, Guidance and Resources

Access our resources

Safeguarding Policy Statement

This explains the Church’s commitment to keep children, young people and adults safe from harm.

Theology

This explains how theology underpins good safeguarding

Legislative Framework

This explains what law and guidance underpins safeguarding

Roles and Responsibilities

This explains the safeguarding structure of the Church. The different leadership bodies and roles and their safeguarding responsibilities.

Safer Recruitment

This sets out the church’s processes for safely appointing, recruiting and electing church officers, including volunteers.

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations

This sets out the procedures for how church officers should respond to safeguarding concerns. It also sets out the guidance for undertaking risk assessments and managing risk.

Data Protection, Recording and Information Sharing

Complaints and Whistleblowing

Training and Development

This explains what safeguarding training courses the Church delivers. If you are a church officer, this tells you the level of training you need.

Safer Environments

This explains what the Church expects from church officers who work with children and adults. It also explains how to deliver safe groups and activities.

Quality Assurance

This explains how the Church monitors the quality of safeguarding practice.