Key roles and responsibilities of church office holders and bodies practice guidance

Dear Colleagues,

This guidance substantially updates and replaces the ‘Responsibilities of Church organisations’ section in ‘Protecting all God’s Children 2010’. It is in line with ‘Promoting a Safer Church’: the Church of England policy statement for the children, young people and adults.

It recognises that the Church of England is not a single entity. Rather, it consists of many essentially autonomous office holders and other bodies, including both ancient ecclesiastical corporations and modern statutory corporations (many of which are charities). It aims to clarify key safeguarding roles and responsibilities for church office holders and bodies within this complex structure to support a consistent approach to safeguarding across the whole Church.

The House of Bishops commends this practice guidance for use by all Church Bodies, including parishes, dioceses, cathedrals, religious communities, theological colleges and the national church institutions.

I hope that this practice guidance will help church communities further develop clear lines of accountability and leadership responsibilities for the safeguarding arrangements required for all organisations.

Yours in Christ's fellowship,

Rt. Revd. Peter Hancock
Bishop of Bath and Wells

The Church of England is not a single entity. Rather, it consists of many essentially autonomous office holders ^[*] and other bodies ^[*] , including both ancient ecclesiastical corporations and modern statutory corporations (many of which are charities). This complex structure and consequent dispersal of authority over a number of bodies and institutions, has a significant impact on the way in which responsibility for safeguarding matters is exercised. The following outlines the safeguarding responsibilities of key office holders and bodies in line with ‘Promoting a Safer Church’: the Church of England policy statement for the children, young people and adults.

It is not meant to be an exhaustive list but to clarify key safeguarding roles and responsibilities for church office holders and bodies that the House of Bishops has agreed to support a consistent approach to safeguarding across the whole Church. It is supported by eight appendices which provide good practice reference material and templates. The guidance is underpinned by the Children Act 2004 (section 11); Working Together 2015; the Care Act 2014, the Church of England’s safeguarding policy statement, ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and ecclesiastical law. This includes the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, Safeguarding (Clergy Risk Assessment) Regulations 2016, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors Regulations 2016 and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors (Amendment) Regulations 2017.

It updates and replaces the ‘Responsibilities of Church organisations’ section in ‘Protecting all God’s Children 2010’.

Under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 ^[*] , all authorised clergy, bishops, archdeacons, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs must have ‘due regard’ to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this will include both policy and practice guidance). A duty to have ‘due regard’ to guidance means that the person under the duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow it unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so (‘Cogent’ for this purpose means clear, logical and convincing). Failure by clergy to comply with the duty imposed by the 2016 Measure may result in disciplinary action. This duty applies to the main guidance document. It does not apply to the appendices which are good practice reference material and templates.

The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group has made it clear that their insurance cover is only valid where House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance is being followed.

This guidance is part of a suite of Safeguarding Practice Guidance and Reference documents which can be downloaded from: https://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-officeholders/safeguarding-children-vulnerable-adults.aspx

1.1. Archbishops'

The Archbishops' role is to:

• Provide leadership and direction in promoting a Safer Church;
• Appoint a bishop with lead responsibility for safeguarding children and adults;
• Appoint the members of the National Safeguarding Steering Group;
• Ensure that diocesan bishops engage in safeguarding induction and training;
• Direct the archbishop of another province or a bishop to undergo a risk assessment. ^[*]

1.2. The House of Bishops

The House of Bishops role is to:

• Provide leadership and direction in promoting a Safer Church;
• Develop, approve and implement safeguarding policy and practice guidance to ensure consistency in best practice across the Church;
• Make regulations in relation to safeguarding;
• Ratify the appointment of a lead safeguarding bishop;
• Ensure that a National Safeguarding Adviser, Deputy Safeguarding Adviser and National Safeguarding Team are appointed with a clear line of accountability and a right to submit reports to the House of Bishops on safeguarding matters;
• Support the appointment of a National Safeguarding Steering Group to advise the House of Bishops on safeguarding matters, as required;
• Ensure minimum standards of safeguarding training for clergy;
• Review the implementation of the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ business plan ^[*] annually.

1.3. National Lead Safeguarding Bishop

The Lead Safeguarding Bishop’s role is to:

• Provide leadership and direction in promoting a Safer Church;
• Communicate key safeguarding messages both inside and outside the Church;
• Support the House of Bishops and General Synod in their responsibilities for developing strategy, policy and practice guidance in the area of safeguarding;
• Engage in key policy and practice developments with the national and deputy safeguarding adviser and the national safeguarding team;
• Chair (with deputies) key safeguarding advisory/working groups (as required);
• Work closely with the Methodist Church and other ecumenical partners;
• Be informed of, and when required, involved in the resolution of safeguarding matters which might arise through diocesan safeguarding audits or investigations of complaints
• Appoint one or more Deputy Lead Bishop(s), as required.

1.4. The Archbishops' Council

The Archbishops’ Council’s role is to:

• Ensure that adequate resourcing and arrangements are available to support the work of the National Safeguarding Team;
• Hold to account the Secretary General, other senior staff and the National Safeguarding Team on their development and implementation of the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ business plan;
• Receive regular reports on safeguarding finances, operations and risk management and offer comment and guidance as appropriate;
• Support the work of the National Safeguarding Steering Group.

1.5. Church Commissioners

The Church Commissioners role is to:

• Fund bishops’ legal costs for litigation relating to safeguarding cases;
• Fund the legal costs relating to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA);
• Emphasise that this financial support is contingent on dioceses proving that they have been operating in line with House of Bishops’ safeguarding polices and practice guidance;
• Ensure that Diocesan Boards of Finance are providing sufficient funds for safeguarding operational and legal costs in order to meet the expectations set by the House of Bishops’ policies and practice guidance.

1.6. General Synod

The General Synod’s role is to:

• Approve new and amended church safeguarding legislation, including regulations;
• Where necessary, consider and express their opinion on any public policy issues regarding safeguarding as part of their function as set out in paragraph 6 of the GS constitution.

1.7. National Safeguarding Steering Group

The National Safeguarding Steering Group’s (NSSG) role is to:

• Offer strategic oversight of national safeguarding activity, including recommendations on the strategic development to the Archbishops, the House of Bishops and the National Church Institutions;

• Offer oversight of the work of the National Safeguarding Team;

• Receive and consider the recommendations and advice of the National Safeguarding Panel;

• Oversee the work of the IICSA ^[*] Steering Group;

• Review information from quality assurance processes, including lessons learnt case reviews and support implementation of learning and any recommendations across the Church;

• Scrutinise and comment on draft safeguarding policy and practice guidance. The House of Bishops’ members of the group can approve House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and guidance under delegated powers from the House.

1.8. The National Safeguarding Team

The National Safeguarding Team’s role is:

• Develop and implement a ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ business plan that outlines the actions towards promoting a safer culture throughout the Church of England;
• Provide expert advice, guidance and support to dioceses, cathedrals, National Church Institutions and other Church bodies in respect of safeguarding policy, training, casework and communications;
• Highlighting areas of concern in relation to safeguarding arrangements and practice and facilitating and supporting the necessary improvements;
• Undertake provincial and national case work;
• Promote key safeguarding messages;
• Commission national lessons learnt case reviews, as required;
• Develop and implement national survivors engagement and support work;
• Develop a consistent approach to the support and oversight of offenders and those that may pose a risk within dioceses and other Church bodies. This includes holding a list of approved risk assessors, on behalf of the Archbishops’ Council, to be used by all church bodies who are undertaking independent risk assessments ^[*] ;
• Develop and support the implementation of House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance;
• Develop and support the roll out of a national Training and Development Framework;
• Work to strengthen safeguarding networks and professional support for key safeguarding officers, such as diocesan safeguarding advisers and chairs of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panels;
• Develop and implement quality assurance processes, to measure progress and compliance including ensuring that lessons learnt from case reviews inform and improve practice;
• Review progress annually.

2.1. The Diocesan Bishop

The diocesan bishop is ultimately responsible for ensuring good safeguarding arrangements and practice in the diocese in line with the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and guidance.

In certain circumstances, the bishop may delegate these functions pursuant to section 13 of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 by instrument subject to the approval of the diocesan synod (unless a matter is urgent in which case the bishop can seek the approval of the bishop’s council and standing committee of the diocesan synod). Delegation may be to a suffragan bishop and/or assistant bishop. In addition the diocesan bishop may ask someone to carry out safeguarding tasks on his/her behalf e.g. an archdeacon. The ultimate responsibility, however, will always rest with the diocesan bishop.

The Diocesan Bishop’s role is to:

• Provide leadership and direction in promoting a Safer Church;
• Attend national training and any local training, as required;
• With the bishop’s staff, Diocesan Synod, Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) ^[*] ensure the adequate resourcing of safeguarding in the diocese (please see Appendix 1 for additional guidance);
• Seek to ensure that there is a structure to manage safeguarding in the diocese with clear lines of accountability between diocesan groups and bodies. In addition to ensure that there are clear arrangements in place with cathedrals and any other relevant Church bodies e.g. religious communities, TEIs;
• Ensure that safeguarding is a regular item on bishops’ staff team agenda and that the DSA is able to attend meetings, as required;
• Ensure that the diocese adopts and implements House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance;
• Ensure that the diocese has a Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP). The group should have clear terms of reference and be directly accountability to and regularly report to the diocesan bishop and other diocesan bodies (see Appendix 2 for a model terms of reference);
• Appoint a suitably qualified independent chair (see Appendix 3 for a model role description) to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and work with Chair and the DSA on the choice of members.
• Appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser/s (DSA/s) following consultation with the National Safeguarding Team ^[*] (see Appendix 1 for additional guidance);
• Ensure that the DSA/s are provided with the appropriate financial, organisational and management support and that they meet with the bishop regularly. That they have full access to all records including clergy personal files. This includes ensuring that the DSA/s receives supervision that is appropriate for the role and that they have sufficient time to undertake continuing professional development ^[*] (please see Appendix 1 for additional guidance on DSAs);
• Ensure that the diocese develops a diocesan safeguarding strategy that is informed by the national ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ Business Plan;
• Ensure that the diocese has arrangements in place to monitor and support safeguarding arrangements in parishes. This should include monitoring as part of the Archdeacons’ responsibilities and visitations;
• Ensure that a diocesan central record of clergy, licenced lay ministers and other church officers that have a role with children, young people and vulnerable adults ^[*] is kept that will enable a prompt response to enquiries and enable tracking of DBS compliance, renewals and safeguarding training. This record should include start and finish dates, all posts held and next post when known, DBS information and training attended. Where there have been safeguarding concerns, these should be clearly indicated and cross referenced to clergy/personnel files in accordance with data protection principles ^[*] and House of Bishops’ guidance;
• Ensure that a complaints and whistle-blowing procedure is in place which can be used for those who wish to complain about the handling of safeguarding issues;
• Ensure that arrangements are in place to share relevant information (after having received advice from the DSA and Registrar) about individuals with other dioceses, other Church bodies, other denominations and organisations or the national Church as appropriate;
• Ensure that the diocese provides arrangements to support survivors of abuse;
• Ensure that adequate safeguarding training is available and that all clergy, licensed readers, lay workers and other church officers who have relevant contact with children young people and vulnerable adults, participate accordingly;
• Discharging his/her legal duties to have regard for safeguarding in the authorisations of ministers and the exercise of discipline. This would include:

- Where satisfied, directing a priest or deacon who has authority to officiate in the diocese, to undergo a risk assessment; ^[*]

- Considering the suspension of any priest or deacon holding any preferment in the diocese, if, on the basis of information provided by the local authority or police, the relevant individual presents a significant risk of harm;

- In cases involving a churchwarden, a PCC member, a member of a district church council or synod, a secretary or treasurer of a PCC a licensed reader or lay worker, considering suspension where the individual involved has been arrested on suspicion of committing an offence mentioned in Schedule 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (or charged without having been arrested) or if the bishop is satisfied that an individual represents a safeguarding risk on information provided by the police or local authority.

• Ensure that the diocese reviews progress annually.

2.2. Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)

The role of the DBF is to deal with matters concerning Church land and money in accordance with the instructions of the diocesan synod, (section 3(1) Diocesan Board of Finance Measure 1925). The DBF provides the financial, practical and human resources that support the safeguarding function. In terms of safeguarding, the DBF will:-

• Ensure that there are adequate safeguarding resourcing in the diocese in accordance with the instructions of the diocesan synod;
• Ensure clear lines of accountability between the diocesan bishop and key diocesan staff, including the diocesan safeguarding adviser;
• Ensure safer recruitment and training of any church officers working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults employed by the DBF;
• Undertake a risk management oversight of safeguarding arrangements in the diocese.

The role of the DBF differs from diocese to diocese in relation to safeguarding. It is often the main employer of key diocesan staff, including the diocesan secretary, diocesan safeguarding adviser, other safeguarding staff, human resource staff, youth workers, training staff including vocations and ministerial education advisers.

Almost all lines of accountability for these key roles run to the diocesan bishop through the DBF.

2.3. Diocesan Synod

The Diocesan Synod is the body of representatives of the clergy and lay people in the diocese, which meets together with the bishops, archdeacons and other senior office holders in the diocese to discuss matters of concern to the diocese, and to make provision for those things that require some form of action or statement. In terms of safeguarding the diocesan synod will:-

• Ensure that there are adequate safeguarding resourcing in the diocese; ^[*]
• Adopt and implement the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance;
• Develop and implement the Diocesan Safeguarding Strategy ^[*] ;
• Review the diocese’s safeguarding progress annually.

2.4. The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel ^[*]

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) will oversee safeguarding arrangements in the diocese ^[*] . The role of the panel is to:

• Offer external expertise and challenge to the diocese on safeguarding matters;
• Advise and make recommendations to the diocesan bishop and senior leadership team on the development and effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements;
• Seek to ensure the implementation of House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance;
• To have particular regard to the rigour of the Church’s arrangements to respond to allegations against church officers, manage risk and support victims/survivors of abuse;
• Seek to ensure that effective arrangements, including information sharing is in place with statutory partners;
• To advise on arrangements to support and monitor the implementation of good safeguarding practice in parishes;
• Consider information and themes from quality assurance processes e.g. diocesan self-assessments, lessons learnt reviews, independent audits and file audits to make recommendations to improve safeguarding arrangements.
• Receive anonymised ^[*] management information relating to case work, including risk assessments and safeguarding agreements that the diocese has completed to maintain oversight of safeguarding work;
• To monitor the diocesan requirements relating to safer recruitment, DBS Disclosures and safeguarding training and advise accordingly;
• To contribute to the diocesan safeguarding strategy and its annual progress review;
• To advise the bishop on any circumstances where the diocese proposes to depart materially from the House of Bishops’ safeguarding guidance, (includes both policy and practice guidance). To advise the National Safeguarding Team if the DSAP continues to consider that a safeguarding matter is not being dealt with properly in the diocese or other church body;
• Review progress annually and report this to the bishop and the identified diocesan body/ies.

It is not the role of the DSAP to be part of the case management process. It is their role to consider information from quality assurance processes, as above. At the discretion of the chair of the DSAP, some DSAPs may choose to have a sub-group that monitors risk assessments and safeguarding agreements. The purpose of this subgroup is to review the quality of risk assessments (both standard and independent) and safeguarding agreements. This sub group should have clear terms of reference and a membership that reflects the necessary experience and skills to undertake this role.

This is not an exhaustive list. It is meant to highlight core functions.

Each group should have a clear terms of reference outlining its role and function (please see Appendix 2 for a model template).

Membership

The chair should be an independent (independence signifies not employed in another role in the diocese nor discharging managerial functions in the diocese) lay person with responsibility for ensuring that the panel’s advisory and scrutiny functions are carried out effectively. He/she will be appointed for a period of 3 years by the diocesan bishop in consultation with the DSA in accordance with the House of Bishops’ guidance in relation to role description and person specification (see Appendix 3). This can be extended for a further three years following a review of effectiveness. They should have extensive, recent and professional safeguarding expertise and experience, ideally someone who has operated at a senior level in either a statutory sector or relevant voluntary agency.

The DSAP will be advised by the diocesan safeguarding adviser, who will attend meetings and offer advice.

The DSAP should aim for a balanced membership, with representation from the diocese’s senior staff team, other church officers, other Church Bodies and voluntary and statutory partners. ^[*] External members should have sufficient recent/current safeguarding expertise and experience. As a minimum, there should be representation from at least three of the following statutory agencies – Social Services, Police, NHS, Education and relevant charity. ^[*]

The appointment of panel members is the responsibility of the diocesan bishop, in consultation with chair and the DSA.

Final membership is for local determination following the above guidelines.

All appointments to the group should follow the House of Bishops’ safer recruitment practice guidance. It is recommended that the initial appointments should be for a term of 3 years with an additional term of appointment possible for a further 3 years after the initial term, following a review of commitment and contribution.

All members should have an induction which includes purpose and function of the group, their role and responsibilities and an introduction to safeguarding in the diocese and the Church of England, as required.

2.5. Diocesan Secretary/Chief Executive officer

The diocesan secretary is the senior executive officer in the diocese, working with the bishop, and helping to co-ordinate and implement diocesan strategy and policy and manage the relationship with the diocesan Synod and Canonical structures.

In relation to safeguarding his/her duties include ^[*] :-

• Uphold the diocesan safeguarding policy and philosophy and support the work of the diocesan safeguarding adviser;
• Work with the diocesan safeguarding adviser when responding to a safeguarding concern or allegation against a church officer who is a diocesan employee;
• To identify and manage areas of risk including safeguarding and health and safety issues;
• Overview the implementation of the diocesan safeguarding strategy;
• To manage safeguarding personnel, as required;
• Attend Safeguarding training, as required;
• To work with the diocesan registrar to ensure legal compliance and good practice.

2.6. The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

The functions of the diocesan safeguarding adviser are set out in the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors Regulations 2016. In broad terms, the functions ^[*] are as follows: ^[*]

• Where an allegation that a child or vulnerable adult has suffered abuse is made against a bishop ^[*] or other church officer in the diocese ^[*] or against any other person, advising on whether the allegation should be referred to the police for investigation; and, if the advisor thinks it should be so referred, making the referral;
• Co-operating with, and supporting the work of, the police, local authorities and other bodies ^[*] in cases in which it is suspected that a child or vulnerable adult has suffered abuse or is at risk of suffering abuse;
• Giving advice, information and support to those who have suffered abuse;
• Giving advice to the bishop and other church officers on safeguarding matters;
• Co-ordinating the work of the diocesan safeguarding panel;
• Providing, or co-ordinating the provision of, training on safeguarding matters;
• Implementing, or co-ordinating the implementation of, the guidance issued by the House of Bishops. To ensure that training is delivered by suitably experienced qualified trainers.
• Giving advice, information and support to PCCs and parish safeguarding officers on the implementation of that guidance and, where appropriate, challenging PCCs and parish safeguarding officers on what they have done to implement that guidance;
• Issuing guidance on safeguarding matters for church officers in the diocese and parish safeguarding officers in any parish in the diocese that is consistent with the guidance issued by the House of Bishops;
• Where the advisor thinks that safeguarding matters are not being dealt with properly and it has not proved possible to resolve within the diocese the points at issue, informing the National Safeguarding Team;
• Where a clergy risk assessment is required to be carried out, making the arrangements for it to be carried out;
• Where a non-clergy risk assessment is required to be carried out, either carrying out the assessment or making the arrangements for it to be carried out;
• Giving advice to the bishop and other church officers in the diocese on the conduct of a clergy or non-clergy risk assessment and, where such an assessment has been carried out, advising on the steps to take in light of it and monitoring any such steps as are then taken;
• Promoting good practice on safeguarding matters;
• Taking such other action in connection with safeguarding matters as the DSA considers necessary or appropriate ^[*] .

An additional key responsibility is to offer safeguarding advice and guidance to other church bodies. Although these are separate bodies from the diocese there should be agreed safeguarding arrangements in place supported by information sharing protocols. In particular to:

• Cathedrals - Some dioceses have a formal agreement with cathedrals to provide joint safeguarding arrangements. If there are separate arrangements, the DSA should liaise regularly with the named safeguarding leads in cathedrals and offer advice on safeguarding matters, as required. Some cathedrals have employed a professional safeguarding adviser. In these situations they must work closely with the DSA. All concerns or allegations against church officers must be reported to the DSA. Please see Section 2.5 below on cathedrals roles and responsibilities.
• Religious Communities - Some dioceses have a formal agreement with religious communities in the diocese to provide joint safeguarding arrangements. If there are separate arrangements the DSA should liaise regularly with the named safeguarding leads in communities and offer advice on safeguarding matters. All safeguarding allegations or concerns in relation to a church officer should be reported to the DSA in line with House of Bishops’ guidance. Please see Section 2.7 below on religious communities’ roles and responsibilities.
• Theological Training Institutions (TEIs) - The DSA should liaise regularly with the named safeguarding leads in TEIs. Offer advice on safeguarding matters. All safeguarding allegations or concerns in relation to a church officer who is licenced by the bishop, who is an ordinand or has a role in a diocese should be reported to the DSA in line with House of Bishops’ guidance. Please see Section 2.8 below on TEIs’ roles and responsibilities.

Please see Appendix 1 for additional advice on the level of resourcing and Appendix 4 for a model DSA job description and person specification.

Appointment

Under the regulations ^[*] the bishop must be satisfied, when appointing a DSA, that the person has the appropriate “qualifications and experience” and must have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding matters.

They also require the bishop to consult the national safeguarding team:

(a) at each stage of the process of recruitment for the appointment, and

(b) before making the appointment.

This means engagement of the NST in the recruitment of new DSAs to support the process and enable the diocese and the national team to explore whether a particular individual is suited for the DSA role, even where they do not meet the advised ‘appropriate qualifications and skills’, as recommended in Appendix 1.

Professional support and development

In addition under the Regulations ^[*] it states that:

(1) The bishop of a diocese must make arrangements for ensuring that any person appointed as diocesan safeguarding advisor receives professional supervision at an appropriate level from a person with experience of work that is concerned with the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults.

(2) The bishop of a diocese must make arrangements for ensuring that a person appointed as diocesan safeguarding advisor has sufficient time to undertake continuing professional development in safeguarding matters.

Please see Appendix 1 for further guidance on professional supervision and requirements.

Independent

The DSA must be able to offer independent professional advice to the diocese. This is in line with the recommendations arising from the reports into Chichester Diocese. Independence, in this context, signifies that they are not ordained clergy; have not undertaken any other paid role in the diocese ^[*] and do not discharge or ever have discharged any managerial functions in the diocese outside of a safeguarding role and do not have any other conflicts of interest that would impact on undertaking a safeguarding role.

Additional Safeguarding Resources

To meet the current requirements of the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy, Practice and Regulations, a diocese must have in place:

• Dedicated administrative support for the DSA;

• Dedicated support to oversee DBS checks and renewals. The shape of the DBS role will be dependent on what system the dioceses uses to process DBS checks;

• Confidential office space, access to the diocesan email system and secure storage ^[*] ;

• Arrangements for out of hours cover and DSA absences;

• ‘Authorised listeners’ or an externally provided service to support victims/survivors of church abuse ^[*] ;

• A pool of ‘Link People’ to support church officers who are subject of concerns or allegations ^[*] ;

• Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adult advocates or an externally provided service ^[*] ;

• Independent Chair of DSAP- the arrangements vary from diocese to diocese, from paid to unpaid. At a minimum the chair should receive expenses and access to diocesan training in line with the training and development framework;

• Recording processes in line with House of Bishops’ guidance.

Please see Appendix 1 for additional advice on resourcing.

2.7. Diocesan Communicator ^[*]

The Diocesan Communicator will:

• Ensure the prompt handling of day-to-day media enquiries often of a sensitive or confidential nature, in consultation with the diocesan bishop and the DSA;
• Attend core groups, convened to address safeguarding concerns or allegations against church officers, and advise on statements to both parish and media ^[*] , at different stages of the case, in line with the core group’s recommendations. These will be informed by the protocol agreed by the Diocesan Communications network;
• Be the primary contact with press offices from statutory authorities, particularly the police and other church bodies, as required. Advise senior colleagues and relevant others in relation to a communication plan;
• Liaise regularly with the DSA and keep informed and therefore mindful of any developments in a case or other safeguarding matters;
• Liaise regularly with the national communications lead and keep informed and therefore mindful of any developments in a national case that may relate to the diocese, a diocesan case that may have national implications or other national safeguarding matters.

2.8. Archdeacons

The position of archdeacon is pastoral, administrative, disciplinary and quasi-judicial. The essential nature of the role has been described as “being a good steward so that others are freed to be the worshipping, witnessing and ministering Church.” ^[*] In particular, the archdeacon shall assist the bishop “in his pastoral care and office, and…shall see that all such as hold any ecclesiastical office within the same perform their duties with diligence, and shall bring to the bishop’s attention what calls for correction…” ^[*] . They also, within their archdeaconry, “…hold yearly visitations” to parishes and “induct any priest” ^[*] . They are key to offering leadership and direction in promoting a Safer Church and supporting parishes with safeguarding concerns.

In terms of safeguarding, an archdeacon’s role is to work closely with the DSA:

• In the handling of serious safeguarding situations relating to church officers in parishes, which relate to allegations against church officers;
• Supporting and advising parishes in relation to safeguarding policy and practice;
• Supporting Incumbents to attend safeguarding training and be familiar with the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and relevant guidance for parishes;
• Attend senior staff safeguarding training (C4);
• Attend diocesan refresher safeguarding training every 3 years;
• Working with the DSA to assist in monitoring good safeguarding practice in parishes ^[*] and during their annual visitation ensuring that parishes (PCCs and clergy) are adhering to good safeguarding practice by paying due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance;
• When new in post, have a one-to-one induction session with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor regarding House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and practice guidance, and how they are implemented in the diocese; and for information about past and current safeguarding issues in churches in his/her archdeaconry.

It is important that the diocese makes arrangements to support archdeacons in their safeguarding role.