Safeguarding Resources

Safeguarding Information for Parishes

The first point of reference for implementing safeguarding policies and safer practice in your parishes is the Parish Safeguarding Handbook

Information on parish safeguarding roles and responsibilities (including PCC, Incumbent, Church Wardens and Parish Safeguarding Officer/Administrator) can be found here

To download a safeguarding information and welcome pack for parish safeguarding officers, Incumbents and PCC’s, please click here.

Details of what safeguarding arrangements information should be displayed on parish websites and church notice boards can be found here:

For National Church Policies, Guidance and Resources please visit the Church of England website

Click the button below to find out more about national church policies, guidance and resources.

Find Out More For National Church Policies, Guidance and Resources please visit the Church of England website – Link opens in a new window

Along with national safeguarding resources we have also produced some local safeguarding resources to help your parish.

Local Resources

• Safeguarding Referral Form
• Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
• Template Parish Statement on Domestic Abuse
• Promoting a Safer Church A3 poster
• Code of Safer Working Practice
• Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations Flowchart
• Fact Sheet – Types of Abuse
• Fact Sheet – Sexting (youth produced sexual imagery)
• Video Conferencing with Young People (Guidelines)
• Activity Risk Assessment Template
• Activity Risk Assessment Form
• Activity and Incident Form
• Registration Form – Activities and Trips
• Leaders to Participants Ratios
• Photo Consent Form
• Model Social Media Policy Statement
• Social Media Consent Form
• Transport Consent Form
• Model Volunteer Driver Agreement
• Model Safeguarding Provision for Church Premises Hire
• Entrance Notice for Callers
• Keyholder Declaration
• Lone Working – PCC Considerations
• Model Risk Assessment Checklist for Home Visiting
• Model Personal Risk Assessment Tool
• Safeguarding Aide Memoire
• Choir Aide Memoire
• Safe Spaces Posters
• Safeguarding Against Radicalisation Prevent Referrals Poster
• Safeguarding Against Radicalisation Channel Panel Poster
• Safeguarding Against Radicalisation Vulnerabilities Poster
• Safeguarding Against Radicalisation Resources Poster

Safer Recruitment

Church of England National Resources

• Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance
• Confidential Declaration Form and Privacy Notice (scroll down to access 2 forms)
• Role Descriptions and Person Specifications Templates
• Application Form Template
• Example Interview Questions
• Reference Request Form Template (see Toolkit at bottom of page)
• Church of England DBS Role Eligibility Guide (see Toolkit)
• Appointment Letter for Volunteers Template
• Volunteer Induction Checklist
• Code of Safer Working Practice
• Volunteer Support Meeting Agenda Template
• Model Safer Recruitment Record Keeping Template (download from Toolkit)

Local and Other Resources

• Sample Parish Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
• ID checking guidelines for DBS check applications
• Safe Storage, Retention and Handling of DBS Certificate Information
• DBS Continuing Update Proforma
• Parish Umbrella Agreement
• DBS Privacy Notice – Standard/Enhanced

Safeguarding Updates/Newsletters

• Winchester Diocese Safeguarding Newsletter Spring 2025
• Winchester Diocese Safeguarding Newsletter Summer 2023
• Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report
• Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report

Useful Links

• Modern Slavery
• Fraud Advice
• Crime Prevention Bulletin
• Cyber Security: Small Charity Guide
• Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Fire Safety Framework 2021
• Supporting People Living with Dementia to be Involved in Adult Safeguarding Enquiries – Dept. of Health and Social Care