Requirements
2.1 Each community must appoint a Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP)
2.1.1 The DSP must not be the Leader of the community. They need not be a safeguarding professional, but must be able to demonstrate an aptitude for the role.
2.1.2 An external DSP may be appointed, this must be done in consultation with the DSO. The DSO may be able to assist in identifying a suitable individual.
2.2 The DSP must be trained in safeguarding at the Leadership pathway level and take day-to-day responsibility for safeguarding practice, awareness raising and ensuring there is safeguarding training provision in place.
2.2.1 The DSP is responsible for establishing links with the DSO in the diocese where the main community house is based. It is accepted that there may be some differences in local practice, and these should be reflected in the local arrangements - for example, where a community has houses in different dioceses.
2.2.2 In larger communities, the DSP may be trained to co-train alongside the DSO.
2.3 The DSP is the person to whom all safeguarding concerns must be reported, unless the concerns are about the DSP, in which case they must be reported directly to the DSO. In an emergency situation, the first contact should always be with the police or social services.
2.4 The DSP must report all allegations or concerns to the DSO in the first instance, once any immediate harm or emergency has been dealt with.
2.5 The DSP must discuss all safeguarding matters, which in some circumstances may include ongoing cases, preventative measures and embedding a safeguarding culture with the Leader at regular meetings.
Guidance
The role of the DSP is to provide advice and support to all members of the community. They should liaise with the DSO to secure training for members and for advice on dealing with safeguarding allegations. The DSP will be the first point of contact for any concerns which are raised, including those which may involve the Leader (see section 7 later). A template person specification/roles and responsibilities is included at Appendix A.
One key aspect of the DSP role will be to help develop the organisational culture and promote a healthy, safer community. The role is not simply about reacting to situations, but proactively identifying and mitigating risks where these exist, having open discussions about behaviour, regular meetings with the Leader and helping to embed safeguarding throughout the life of the community. In other words, facilitating the culture change referred to under Section 1 to take place. This is an ongoing process, and can be started by having honest discussions about culture, seeking advice from the DSO, undertaking the training courses and using the tools and resources available on the Church of England website.[1],[2] A self-audit tool was made available to help Religious Communities implement this revised guidance in 2020. Communities may wish to revisit this at this point and think about their progress and what improvements have been made.