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Safeguarding e-manual
  • Application of Safeguarding Guidance to Theological Education Institutions
    • Section 1: Introduction
    • Section 2: Direction of travel
    • Section 3: Which bishop and diocese should a TEI relate to?
    • Section 4: Specific safeguarding considerations for TEIs
    • Section 5: Role equivalence – Learning required by staff
    • Section 6: Safeguarding checks
    • Section 7: Learning required by students
    • Section 8: Managing allegations and responding well
    • Section 9: Guidance and policy documents
    • Appendix 1: Proforma report
    • Appendix 2: Sample role description for TEI Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Declaration of conflict of interest
    • Section 1: Purpose
    • Section 2: Guiding principles
    • Section 3: Procedures
    • Terminology checker
  • Managing Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations
    • Introduction
    • Managing Allegations download
    • Section 1: Triage and Referrals
      • Section 1.1.1-1.1.7: Triage
      • Section 1.1.8-1.1.10: Referrals
    • Section 2: Initial contact and support
      • Section 2.1: Initial contact
      • Section 2.2: Initial contact: Support and well-being
      • Section 2.3-2.7: Link and Support Persons
    • Section 3: The role of Safeguarding Case Management Groups
      • Section 3.1: When should a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) be established?
      • Section 3.2-3.4: Timescales for holding SCMG meetings
      • Section 3.5: Identifying a Chair
      • Section 3.6: The membership of a SCMG
      • Section 3.7-3.9: The agenda of an SCMG meeting
      • Section 3.10-3.12: Decision making
      • Section 3.13-3.14: Escalation to DSAP Chair or equivalent role
      • Section 3.15: Reflective practice exercises
    • Section 4: Pathways
      • Section 4A: Members of clergy
        • 4A.1: Initial response considerations
        • 4A.2: The initial case summary and the role of the SCMG
        • 4A.3: Immediate assessment of safeguarding risks
        • 4A.4: Support
        • 4A.5: Impact on Church Community
        • 4A.6: Disciplinary Procedures
        • 4A.7-4A.11: The aims and scope of safeguarding enquiries
      • Section 4B: Lay volunteers
        • 4B.1 & 4B.2: Initial response and convening a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG)
        • 4B.3: The role of the SCMG and safeguarding enquiries
        • 4B.4: Immediate assessment of safeguarding risks
        • 4B.5: Support
        • 4B.6: Impact on Church communities
        • 4B.8-4B.15: The aims and scope of safeguarding enquiries
      • Section 4C: Managing safeguarding risks in the Church Community
        • 4C.1: Deciding whether the person is a risk
        • 4C.2-4C.6: The approach to risk assessment
        • 4C.7-4C.9: The Church Safety Plan
        • 4C.10-4C.12: Church Safety Plans Reviews
      • Section 4D: Managing posthumous safeguarding concerns and allegations
        • 4D.1: Support for the complainant
        • 4D.2: Taking a balanced approach
        • 4D.3 & 4D.4: Information gathering
        • 4D.5-4D.7: Risk assessment and management
      • Section 4E: Employees
        • 4E.1-4E.2: Managing allegations against employees
      • Section 4F: Failure to follow safeguarding requirements
        • 4F.1-4F.5: Initial enquiries
        • 4F.6-4F.16: The initial Safeguarding Code of Practice Meeting
        • 4F.17-4F.20: Safeguarding Development Plan
        • 4F.21-4F.22: Closure
      • Section 4G: Elected Members
        • 4G.1-4G.2: Initial response considerations
        • 4G.3-4G.9: The initial case summary and the role of the SCMG
        • 4G.10-4G.14: Safeguarding Enquiries
    • Section 5: Risk Assessment
    • Section 6: Outcomes, closure and the long-term management of risk
      • Section 6.1: Further action to manage ongoing risks
      • Section 6.2-6.4: Safeguarding Development Plan
      • Section 6.5-6.12: Church Safety Plans
      • Section 6.13 -6.16: Apologies, closure and ongoing support to the complainant
    • Appendix 1: Insurance and civil claims
    • Appendix 2: National Clergy Register
    • Appendix 3: Expectations regarding the conduct of members of clergy
    • Appendix 4: Right to attend church services
    • Terminology checker
    • Risk Assessment & Management Resources
    • Further Resources
  • Parish Safeguarding Toolkit
    • Dealing with a disclosure
    • Know How Hub
      • Gangs, Grooming, County Lines & Cults
      • Mental Health and Dementia
    • Making a Referral
      • How to Refer to Statutory Services
      • When to refer to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
    • PSO Recognition Pack
    • Parish Safeguarding Officer - Appointment and Introduction Pack
    • Parish Safeguarding Resources Contents
    • Posters
      • Information & Awareness Posters
      • Promoting A Safer Church and Safe Spaces Posters
      • Simple Definition Posters
    • Responding Well to Victims and Survivors resources
    • Safeguarding Learning and Development Resources
    • Safer Recruitment & People Management Resources
      • Pre-appointment
      • Probation
      • Induction
      • Interviews and Assessment
      • Learning and Development
      • Advertising a Role
      • Application Process
      • Appointment
      • Responsibilities
      • Ongoing Support, Accountability, Oversight and Supervision
      • Role Description and Person Specification
      • Shortlisting Applicants
      • Confidential Declarations
      • Criminal Records
      • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
    • Social Media Resources
  • Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse
    • Introduction
    • Section 1: Responding well to all victims and survivors
    • Section 2: Co-creating support with victims and survivors of Church-based abuse
    • Section 3: Summary of support for victims and survivors of Church-based abuse
    • Section 4: Arranging therapeutic support
    • Section 5: The Support Person role
    • Section 6: Spiritual and pastoral support for victims and survivors
    • Section 7: The issuing of apologies by Church Bodies
    • Section 8: Centrally arranged support for victims and survivors
    • Resources
  • Reporting Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations
    • Introduction
    • Section 1: What to do on receipt of a safeguarding concern or allegation
    • Section 2: Responding to safeguarding concerns or allegations that do not involve Church Officers
    • Terminology checker
  • Campaigns
  • Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
    • Foreword
    • Introduction
    • Section 1: Context
    • Section 2: Definitions
    • Section 3: Domestic Abuse
    • Section 4.1: Deliverance Ministry
    • Section 4.2: Spiritual Abuse
  • Safeguarding Guidance for Local Ecumenical Partnerships
    • Safeguarding Guidance for Local Ecumenical Partnerships
  • Safeguarding in Acknowledged Religious Communities
    • Introduction
    • Terminology checker
    • Section 1: General provisions
    • Section 2: Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Person
    • Section 3.1: Safer Recruitment (General)
    • Section 3.2: Safer Recruitment and People Management
    • Section 4: Creating a healthy culture
    • Section 5: Safeguarding Learning and Development
    • Section 6: Safeguarding yourself and your community
    • Section 7: Reporting concerns or allegations
    • Section 8: Serious incident reporting to the Charity Commission
    • Section 9: Episcopal Visitors
    • Appendix A: Model role description/person specification for Designated Safeguarding Person
    • Appendix B: Example implementation self-audit checklist
  • Safeguarding in Recognised Religious Communities
    • Introduction
    • Terminology checker
    • Section 1: General Provisions
    • Section 2: Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Person
    • Section 3.1: Safer Recruitment and People Management (General)
    • Section 3.2: Safer Recruitment and People Management
    • Section 4: Creating a healthy culture
    • Section 5: Safeguarding Learning and Development
    • Section 6: Safeguarding yourself and your community
    • Section 7: Reporting concerns or allegations
    • Section 8: Serious Incident Reporting to the Charity Commission
    • Section 9: Episcopal Visitors
    • Appendix A: Model role descriptions/person specification for Designated Safeguarding Person
    • Appendix B: Example Implementation Checklist
  • Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework
    • Preface and Introduction
    • Section 1: Our Vision for Safeguarding Learning
    • Section 2: Safeguarding Learning
    • Section 3: Core Safeguarding Pathways
    • Section 4: Additional Safeguarding Learning Pathways
    • Section 5: Professional Development for Safeguarding Staff
    • Section 6: Additional Development Opportunities
    • Section 7: Quality Assurance
    • Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework graphic
    • Downloadable Version
  • Safeguarding Practice Reviews
    • Introduction
    • Section 1: Overview
    • Section 2: Thresholds for holding a Safeguarding Practice Review
    • Section 3: Decision making process for commissioning Safeguarding Practice Reviews
    • Section 4: Managing Safeguarding Practice Reviews
      • Section 4.1: Establishing a Review Group
      • Section 4.2 Setting the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Safeguarding Practice Review
      • Section 4.3: Tone and Methodology
      • Section 4.4: Selecting and Appointing the Independent Reviewer
      • Section 4.6: Quality Assurance and signing off the report
    • Section 5: Publishing Safeguarding Practice Reviews Reports
    • Section 6: Implementation and Evaluation of SPRs
    • Appendix A: Types of Reflective Exercises
    • Appendix B: Template Terms of Reference
    • Appendix C: Quality Markers
  • Safeguarding Serious Incident Reporting to the Charity Commission
    • Section 1: Guidance for DBFs
    • Section 2: Guidance for PCCs
    • Section 3: Guidance for Religious Communities
    • Section 4: Guidance for Cathedral Chapters
    • Section 5: Guidance for DBEs
    • Safeguarding Serious Incident Reporting FAQs
    • Safeguarding Serious Incident Reporting Example Template Delegations
    • Safeguarding Serious Incident Bulk Reporting Template
  • Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance
    • Introduction
    • Permission to Officiate Policy 2025
    • Terminology Checker
    • Section 1: Data Protection, Record Keeping and Information Sharing
    • Section 2: Clergy
      • Section 2.1: Clergy - Responsibilities
      • Section 2.2: Clergy - Advertising
      • Section 2.3: Clergy - Application Process
      • Section 2.4: Clergy- Confidential Declaration Forms
      • Section 2.5: Clergy - Shortlisting Applicants
      • Section 2.6: Clergy - Selection Process
      • Section 2.7: Clergy - Pre-appointment Checks
      • Section 2.8: Clergy - Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Overseas Criminal Records Checks
      • Section 2.9: Clergy - Risk Assessing Criminal Record Information
      • Section 2.10: Clergy - Appointment
      • Section 2.11: Clergy - Induction
      • Section 2.12: Clergy - Ongoing Support, Accountability and Oversight
      • Section 2.13: Clergy - Learning & Development
      • Section 2.14: Clergy - Occasional Ministry in Other Diocese and Overseas Clergy
    • Section 3: Employees
      • Section 3.1 Employees - Responsibilities
      • Section 3.2: Employees - Job Descriptions and Person Specifications
      • Section 3.3: Employees - Advertising
      • Section 3.4: Employees - Application Process
      • Section 3.5: Employees - Confidential Declaration Forms
      • Section 3.6: Employees - Shortlisting
      • Section 3.7: Employees - Interviews
      • Section 3.8: Employees - Pre-appointment Checks and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks
      • Section 3.9: Employees - Risk Assessing Criminal Record Information
      • Section 3.10 Employees - Appointment
      • Section 3.11: Employees - Induction
      • Section 3.12: Employees - Probation Period
      • Section 3.13: Employees - Ongoing support, accountability, oversight and supervision
      • Section 3.14: Employees - Learning and development
    • Section 4 - Volunteers
      • Section 4.1: Volunteers - Responsibilities
      • Section 4.2: Volunteer Role Descriptions and Person Specifications
      • Section 4.3: Volunteers - Advertising
      • Section 4.4: Volunteers - Application Process
      • Section 4.5: Volunteers - Confidential Declaration Forms
      • Section 4.6: Volunteers- Shortlisting
      • Section 4.7: Volunteers - Interviews
      • Section 4.8: Volunteers - Pre-appointment checks and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
      • Section 4.9: Volunteers - Risk Assessing Criminal Record Information
      • Section 4.10: Volunteers - Appointment
      • Section 4.11: Volunteers - Induction
      • Section 4.12: Volunteers - Settling in process
      • Section 4.13:Volunteers - Ongoing support, accountability, oversight and supervision
      • Section 4.14: Volunteers - Learning and development
    • Section 5: Elected Members
      • Section 5.1: Elected Members - Nominations and Disqualifications
      • Section 5.2: Elected Members - Election
      • Section 5.3: Elected Members - Confidential Declarations/DBS checks
      • Section 5.4: Elected Members - Induction
      • Section 5.5: Elected Members - Learning and development
      • Section 5.6: Elected Members - Suspension/Removal
    • Appendix A: What roles are within the scope of the Safer Recruitment and People Management processes?
    • Appendix B: Examples of proportionality
    • Appendix C: What is Regulated Activity?
    • Appendix D: Clergy Current Status Letter (CCSL), Confidential Declaration Form (CDF) and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate
    • Appendix E: Volunteers/Employees under the age of 18
  • Ukrainian refugees
    • For clergy considering hosting refugees
    • Information for everyone
    • Modern slavery resources
  • Chorister Safeguarding Toolkit
    • Chapter 1 Supervision & Safeguarding Responsibilities
      • Safeguarding Training and Resources
      • 1.1 Legal Requirements & Guidance
      • 1.2 Chaperoning & Chorister Oversight
      • 1.3 Roles & Responsibilities - School(s) and Cathedral Staff and Volunteers
      • 1.5 Policies & Procedures
    • Chapter 2 Communication & Information Sharing
      • 2.1 Documenting and Sharing Safeguarding Related Information - internally
      • 2.2 Documenting and Sharing Safeguarding Related Information - Chorister Schools and Other External Settings/Agencies
      • 2.3 Recording of Pastoral and Welfare Concerns in Respect of Choristers
      • 2.3b Recording of Low-Level Concerns in Respect of Adult Behaviours
      • 2.4 Communication With, and Feedback From, Parents and Carers
      • 2.5 Chorister Information
    • Chapter 3 Scheduling & Wellbeing
      • 3.1 Balancing Scheduling Demands, Particularly During Busy Periods
      • 3.2 Chorister Wellbeing & Health (Incl. Vocal Health)
      • 3.3 Chorister (Child's) Voice & Views
      • 3.4 Mobile Phones & Social Media Use
    • Chapter 4: Physical Safety & Environment
      • 4.1 CCTV
      • 4.2 Building Safety, Security, Comfort (e.g. Robing, Toilets) and External Safety
      • 4.3 Child-Friendly Materials
      • 4.4 Live Streaming, Photography, Videos & Images
      • 4.5 Choir Trips, Including Tours & Other Offsite Activities
    • Chapter 5: Policies & Risk Management
      • 5.1 Chorister Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
      • 5.2 Missing/Lost Child Procedures
      • 5.3 Risk Assessments
      • 5.4 Governance & Accountability
    • Other Resources
  • Regulations
    • Diocesan Safeguarding Regulations 2024
    • Safeguarding (Clergy Risk Assessment) Regulations 2024

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Permission to Officiate Policy 2025

1 minutes read
Last updated: 22 September 2025

PTO policy 

PTO Guidance 

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