Parish Toolkit for Safeguarding

Parish Toolkit for Safeguarding

The Parish Safeguarding Toolkit is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for parishes seeking to quickly implement their safeguarding responsibilities. The most useful items you will need to get started can be found here, with links to other sections of the Safeguarding Resources pages as required.

Registering/Changing your Parish Safeguarding Representative:

Parish Safeguarding Representatives undertake key responsibilities so please keep us updated whenever your parish appoints a new person to this role so we can make keep in touch with them. Following a decision by BSM, the role of Parish Safeguarding Representative now requires all new post holders to have a Basic DBS check carried out prior to appointment, unless the post holder is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check for another role that they carry out.

Please complete the Change of Parish Safeguarding Representative Form and email it to us so we can contact the new rep with information about their role. Please provide your new Parish Safeguarding Rep with a role description.

• Change of Parish Safeguarding Representative Form
• Role Description – Parish Safeguarding Representative

Registering/Changing your Parish DBS Evidence Checker:

Parish DBS Evidence Checkers are integral to your Safer Recruitment procedures. More information about their role can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) page. They will facilitate DBS checks in your parish by establishing which roles require DBS checks, inviting those who need them to commence the online process, checking each applicants ID and completing the DBS application online.

New Parish DBS Evidence Checkers will need to be registered both with the Diocese and Thirtyone:eight before they can start undertaking DBS checks. Please complete the Exeter Evidence Checker Recruiter Registration Form (below) to commence this process and email it to us. Please provide the new Parish DBS Evidence Checker with a role description (below). Detailed information for Parish DBS Evidence checkers can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) page and should be accessed prior to commencing DBS checks.

• Parish Evidence Checker Recruiter Registration Form
• Role Description – Parish DBS Evidence Checker

Accessing your Parish Safeguarding Dashboard:

The Parish Safeguarding Dashboard online tool has been designed to make it easier for churches to manage their safeguarding requirements. It is free for parishes to register, update and use and enables parishes to work through each requirement, producing an audit or report instantly. To register your parish to use the Safeguarding Dashboard, just email us with the name, role title and email address of the people being nominated as the owner or viewers of your parish’s dashboard, including the name of the parish dashboard you need access to. Further information about the Safeguarding Dashboard can be found in the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard webpage.

Essential Parish Safeguarding Guidance:

The following three Church of England policy and guidance documents have been approved by the House of Bishops and must, where relevant, be followed by all Church Bodies and Church Officers. More national policy and guidance can be found in the Safeguarding Policies and Guidance section of the Safeguarding webpages.

• Parish Safeguarding Handbook
• Safer Environment and Activities
• Code of Safer Working Practice

Essential Parish Safeguarding Documents:

• Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement template: Your parish is advised to adopt this template policy statement.
• Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Sample Parish Policy: Your parish is advised to adopt this template policy statement.
• Parish Safeguarding Contacts Poster: Every church should have a visible and up to date safeguarding contacts poster..
• Parish Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns Procedure Template: Every PCC must have a procedure in place to deal promptly with safeguarding allegations or concerns. This template helpfully localises the national and diocesan guidance.

Additional Helpful Documents and Tools:

• NSPCC PANTS & Pantosaurus resources: A range of resources to help start the conversation to keep children safe from abuse.
• Faal Safeguarding Video – A child/young person focussed video outlining how children should be treated in church and what a child or young person should do about it if they are not.
• Examples of Risk Assessments: These assessment templates are not suitable for use without editing, but are a starting point for you to tailor to fit your local context.
• Model Registration Form – Activities and Trips: A registration form must be completed for every child or young person who attends groups or activities in your church and should include up-to-date information on parents’ contact numbers, medical information (e.g. allergies) and any special needs.
• Church Building Lettings Safeguarding Statement: This is an addendum to add to lettings forms to cover safeguarding responsibility when church premises are hired.
• Parish Social Media Policy Template: This policy template can be adapted with your church/parish details.
• Guidance on safeguarding whilst using videoconferencing platforms for ministry: This guidance is useful for any churches who deliver online services or groups.
• PCC Use of photographs of children policy (template): Policy for the Safe Use of Children’s Photographs.