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

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

1. Safeguarding Referral Form
2. Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
3. Template Parish Statement on Domestic Abuse
4. Promoting a Safer Church A3 poster
5. Code of Safer Working Practice
6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Allegations Flowchart
7. Fact Sheet – Types of Abuse
8. Fact Sheet – Sexting (youth produced sexual imagery)
9. Video Conferencing with Young People (Guidelines)
10. Activity Risk Assessment Template
11. Activity Risk Assessment Form
12. Activity and Incident Form
13. Registration Form – Activities and Trips
14. Leaders to Participants Ratios
15. Photo Consent Form
16. Model Social Media Policy Statement
17. Social Media Consent Form
18. Transport Consent Form
19. Model Volunteer Driver Agreement
20. Model Safeguarding Provision for Church Premises Hire
21. Entrance Notice for Callers
22. Keyholder Declaration
23. Lone Working – PCC Considerations
24. Model Risk Assessment Checklist for Home Visiting
25. Model Personal Risk Assessment Tool
26. Safeguarding Aide Memoire
27. Choir Aide Memoire
28. Safe Spaces Posters

Safer Recruitment

Church of England National Resources

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

Local and Other Resources

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

Safeguarding Updates/Newsletters

• Letter from Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Panel, August 2023
• Winchester Diocese Safeguarding Newsletter Summer 2023
• Winchester Diocese Safeguarding Newsletter Autumn 2022
• Winchester Diocese Safeguarding Newsletter Autumn 2021
• Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report
• Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report

Useful Links

• Modern Slavery
• Fraud Advice
• Cyber Security: Small Charity Guide
• UK Protect – Advice to Faith Communities
• 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