Parish Safeguarding Handbook

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Follow the Parish Safeguarding Handbook link below for CofE policies, guidance and model templates. Videos containing children may be used by the church if consent has been given by their parent or guardian. This needs to be signed consent and should include the places which the photo or video may be used by the church. If permission has not been given, it can be helpful to identify these children by using a simple paper wristband, or by asking them to sit in a photo and video free zone. Practically, seeking permission may need a few extra helpers on the day, working from a safe social distance. Alternatively, prepare ahead by sending out the forms to your church newsletter list to avoid queues on the day. Guidance on safer working practice, called Safer Environment and Activities, which provides highly practical advice for parishes, helping them to run their day-to-day activities as safely as possible, was published in November 2019 and can also be found on the Parish Safeguarding Handbook link below. Promoting a Safer Church’ sets out the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults policy of the Church of England. It has been approved by the House of Bishops and applies to all Church Bodies and Church Officers. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook brings into place the safeguarding responsibilities for parishes as outlined in the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. It is supported by a range of model templates and good practice reference material, that can be found on the link to the Parish Safeguarding Handbook below.

This Parish Safeguarding Handbook aims to further strengthen the Church’s approach to safeguarding by bringing into one place the safeguarding responsibilities for parishes as outlined in the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. It has been designed to support the day-to-day work of all parishes in relation to safeguarding and those who have a key role to play with children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable. A failure by a reader or lay worker to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance would be grounds for the revocation of the reader’s or lay worker’s licence by the bishop. 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 10.10).

In the Diocese of Chelmsford we have adopted the suite ofPolicy and Practice Guidance provided by the National Safeguarding Team for the Church of England. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook These resources will help parishes, and anyone involved in Church life understand and promote good safeguarding. Adopting The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy A "Church Officer" is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid. Please note 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. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations that relate to Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adultspractice guidance(2018)

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. The legal duty to have 'due regard' means that, asa matter of law, the guidance should be given great weight and must be followed unless there are ‘cogent reasons’ for not doing so. A person who is required to have due regard to the guidance should not simply take it uponthemselvesto decide that there are cogent reasons for departing from the guidance. Such a decision should be taken – if at all – only after case-specific advice has been obtained from both the DSA (Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser) and the Diocesan Registrar. This section should equip you with all the knowledge and tools necessary to undertake your work within each parish or benefice relating to safeguarding. Parish Safeguarding Handbook (August 2019)(New Edition) As more of us are now using digital and video communications in our ministry it is important that we are aware of the safeguarding implications and following best practice. Please ensure you are familiar with the following guidance and share it with those in your parish who organise online meetings or worship activity.

We will seek to protect those who are at risk of being abused and respond well to those who have been abused.