Introduction
This page contains information about complaints processes in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
It is often possible to address concerns about an incident, or instances of behaviour which you consider inappropriate, through an informal process. Where you think this might help you resolve your concerns, you are encouraged to speak with the relevant person or department and resolve it together in the first instance. Contact details for diocesan departments, staff and other representatives can be found here.
This page also contains information about complaints processes for more serious complaints, or cases where matters can't be resolved informally.
All safeguarding concerns or disclosures must be reported to the Diocesan Safegaurding Team and/ or a Parish Safegaurding Officer and must not be dealt with informally (see Safeguarding below).
What is the nature of your complaint?
My complaint is about:
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Chelmsford Diocese, a member of staff or someone else who represents Chelmsford Diocese
If your complaint is about Chelmsford Diocese's policies or processes or the conduct of one of our members of staff. or anyone else acting on behalf of the Diocese, then your complaint will be handled through the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance complaints policy.
We encourage you to raise your concerns with the relevant Head of Department in the first instance. You may find that raising your complaint informally is a sufficient and effective way to resolve your concerns, particularly as the timescales are normally shorter and the approach provides the opportunity for direct open discussion with the Head of Department concerned. Details of more formal routes are contained in our complaints policy which can be read by clicking the link below.
Complaints relating to the handling of your personal data
If you have any queries or concerns about the handling or processing of your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Coordinator, Nathan Whitehead through one of the routes below:
Email: dataprotection@chelmsford.anglican.org
Telephone: 01245 294412.
Post: 53 New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AT
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A parish church
If your complaint is about a local parish church it should be directed to the relevant Parochial Church Council (PCC). Contact details for the leaders of local parish churches can be found on parish church websites.
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A member of clergy
It is often possible to address concerns about an incident, or instances of behaviour which you consider inappropriate, informally. Where you think this might help to resolve your concerns, you are encouraged to speak with the relevant member of clergy and resolve it together in the first instance.
If the attempts at communicating with the cleric have not proved fruitful, or you don't feel it would be appropraite to address your concerns with them directly, you should speak to your Area Dean or Archdeacon. Contact details are available here.
For further details about the Clergy Disciplinary Process, please click the link below.
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A Church of England school/ Multi Academy Trust or the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Education
If your complaint is about a Church of England school or Multi Academy Trust, please contact the school or trust directly. They will have their own complaints policy on their website.
If your complaint relates to the Chelsmford Diocesan Board of Education or any of its representatives, you should follow the complaints process for Chelsmford Diocese (see above).
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The safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults
If you have a safeguarding concern/allegation/disclosure please call the Diocese of Chelmsford Safeguarding Team Duty Number (01245 29 44 44). If they cannot answer your call straight away please leave an answerphone message with your name and phone number so that we can call you back.
If someone is in immediate danger, please call the police using 999.
- Further information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of Chelmsford
- Church of England Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance
Complaints about the handling of a safeguarding matter
If your complaint relates to the handling of a safeguarding matter by a diocesan representative or church officer you should direct it as follows:
- Complaints about the Diocese of Chelmsford or any of its staff or representatives - follow the Chelmsford Diocese complaints process
- A member of Clergy - the Clergy Disciplinary Process
- A church officer - the parish chuch process (above)
If your complaint about the handling of a safeguarding matter also involves a safeguarding concern, allegation or disclosure, you must also report it to the Diocesan Safegaurding Team (see above)
The Diocese of Chelmsford is an early adopter of the National Safeguarding Structures Complaints Scheme and will be part of the pilot for the scheme when it is launched. Further information will follow.
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Bullying and Harrassment
Our bullying and harassment Advisers are members of the clergy and laity who have volunteered for this role. They have received special training and have the full support of the diocesan bishop. They are available to any member of the clergy or laity to offer advice and information in relation to bullying and harassment cases.
The Diocese follows a Bullying and Harassment Polcy.
Find out more about raising a concern of making a complaint about bullying and/or harassment
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A vicarage or other house owned by Chelmsford Diocese
If you are a member of clergy who is resident in a Chelmsford Diocese vicarage or other property owned by the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance, and have a complaint relating to the property please contact the Property Helpdesk in the first instance. Please call 01245 294471 or send the helpdesk an email. We hope to be able to address most concerns to the satisfaction of complainants informally and through dialogue.
For further information, please read our Guide for residents.
If you are a member of the public who has a complaint about a vicarage or residential property owned by Chelmsford Diocese, please see the section (above) on ''Chelmsford Diocese, our staff or representatives'.
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I am an ecclesiastical office holder with a complaint
The processes set out above are available to Ecclesiastical Office Holders to raise concerns or make a complaint. Our grievance process might also be helpful in some circumstances.
Grievances
Complaints from Ecclesiastical office holders where the matter is a grievance relating to the exercise of the Office held - should be dealt with in accordance with the Archbishops' Council Code of Practice and supportive advice for dealing with grievances. Clergy considering bringing a grievance should speak with their Archdeacon in the first instance.