Managing Allegations
Any allegations against a Church of England church officer1 , which for the avoidance of doubt includes all clergy, ordinands and readers in training, must be dealt with using the procedures set out in the Responding to, assessing and managing concerns or allegations against church officers practice guidance. This means that any safeguarding concern or allegation must be reported to the relevant DSA as soon as possible after it is received. This will normally be the DSA covering the location where the alleged abuse took place. The sending Diocese DSA will also need to be informed in discussion with the other DSAs who are involved.
The DSA in the location where the alleged abuse took place will advise on how to proceed, including who will be responsible for referrals to statutory services and where applicable, reporting to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). Further information can be found on page 8 of the above document.
Allegations against other denominations’ clergy/staff should follow the appropriate policy of that denomination, including reporting to the LADO. Allegations against any other member of staff, volunteer or student must be dealt with under the TEIs own safeguarding policy. This would include any lay teaching staff member who does not hold a bishop’s licence.
Responding Well
The first steps in responding well to victims and survivors of abuse and in dealing well with disclosures are those taken to create a healthy culture, as outlined above. An organisation with a healthy culture is one where people feel safe to make a disclosure. It is critical that the first response to a disclosure is dealt with professionally and with compassion.
The Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse sets out the minimum level of support expected to be offered to those who disclose church based abuse:
- Therapeutic support;
- A Support Person;
- Spiritual and pastoral support;
- The issuing of an apology.
It further provides suggestions as to how these needs may be met, including through liaison with the appropriate DSA and/or other statutory or voluntary services such as Safe Spaces as appropriate.
Guidance for HE institutions can be found here.
- 1“Church Officer(s)” refers to anyone appointed or elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.