When an insurance claim is intimated, the Safeguarding Officer (or whoever receives the initial letter) should bring this information to the attention of the Diocesan Secretary, who is responsible for raising the matter with the relevant insurer. If a claim is received directly by a PCC, they should notify the Safeguarding Officer, however it is for the PCC themselves to refer to their insurance company directly.
Where a complainant brings forward, or is considering bringing forward, a civil claim against a Church Body, the Church Body should take into account the following considerations:
- A Church Body should be supportive in providing the complainant with information on who the insurers are, explain that this is an option and explain that taking up this option would not impact on any support provided under the Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse guidance.
- A civil claim does not prevent a Church Body from apologising to the complainant and further guidance on apologies can be found in the Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse guidance.