Section 7: Reporting concerns or allegations

Guidance

When dealing with a safeguarding matter, communities need to be mindful of the guidance set out in the Responding Well to victims and survivors of abuse guidance and the Responding to allegations code of Practice.   These matters will mostly be dealt with by the DSO, and therefore it is important that they are informed as soon as possible.  In certain, limited circumstances, the DSO may refer the case to the NST for them to consider. These circumstances might include when the case involved the Leader and was high profile, complex or involving multiple allegations.

The key thing for communities is to recognise what might constitute a situation which requires a safeguarding response, or recognise behaviours, situations or individuals who might pose a risk.   This is where being able to observe behaviours and have open discussions becomes important, as this is the opportunity to be able to spot at an early stage where things may need an intervention.  This is all part of creating a healthy, safe culture.

Advice on record keeping with regards to safeguarding can be found on the Church of England website.

Please refer to the main Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults policy for full examples of the behaviours, signs and situations which may give you cause for concern and which may require a safeguarding response.

If you are in any doubt about whether to report a concern, consult with your DSO and make a written record of their advice.

Complexities for acknowledged communities

Due to the fact that most acknowledged communities do not have one particular “home”, and in some cases have members and provide services throughout the globe, the issue of where to report a safeguarding concern can be complex.  This can be deicide on a case-by-case basis with communities and their lead DSOs, however it must be decided and documented.  (Requirement 2.2.3). Subject to local agreements that are already in place and working effectively, the following principles should be adopted:

For incidents alleging to have taken place in England:

• The DSO in the diocese where the incident is alleged to have taken place will normally have primacy, accepting they will need to liaise with the DSP and potentially DSOs in other dioceses. Where this is the case, who is going to lead on what should be recorded.
• Where the alleged incident involves an ordained member, the DSA from the diocese that has issued the licence, PTO etc. will need to be informed in case suspension etc. is required.

For incidents alleging to have taken place outside England

• There may or may not be statutory processes in the country in which the alleged event takes place.  If there are, then these must be followed.
• The Lead DSA (normally either the DSA in the area where the main base of the community is or the DSA in the area of the Episcopal Visitor) should be informed as the first point of contact, in order to determine what action needs to be taken. This will largely focus on managing any resulting risk if/when the individual returns to the country, but may also involve suspension, revocation of licence, PTO etc.
• Where the alleged incident involves an ordained member, the DSA from the diocese that has issued the licence, PTO etc. will need to be informed in case suspension etc. is required.

Some communities are of a sufficient size to have their own safeguarding teams and processes, in which case the Lead DSO needs to be informed so they can make a decision as to who will lead on various aspects of the case – it may be that the Community’s own processes are all that needs to be followed in some specific cases, providing they are in line with Chairty Commission good practice.

Trustees

Charity Trustees have specific responsibilities with regards to Safeguarding, which include ensuring that safeguarding is done well within their charity.  These are set out in the Charity Commission guidance, and specifically include:

• Ensuring that policies and processes are in place and regularly reviewed
• Complying with guidance on making Safeguarding Serious Incident Reports to the Charity Commission
• Discussing safeguarding generally at each meeting
• Reviewing any lessons learned

An infographic setting out 10 actions trustee boards need to take to ensure good safeguarding governance is available.

As with all other aspects of governance, the role of the trustees is oversight and assurance – generally they will not get involved with the day-to-day management of any particular issue. This is, however, much more difficult in very small communities, and therefore some though needs to be given as to the degree of separation that can be given to Trustees around safeguarding matters.  This is important when it comes to dealing with any Conflicts of Interest.

Conversely, larger communities may have a Lead Trustee for Safeguarding, who takes the lead in providing that assurance and oversight to the remaining Trustees, accepting that all Trustees maintain responsibility for safeguarding in their community.