In the Diocese of Chelmsford we have adopted the full suite of Policies, Procedures, Practice Guidance and Resources provided by the Church of England National Safeguarding Team (NST).
On this page
Important: the following documents have been removed from the NST website and must no longer be used:
- Parish Safeguarding Handbook (being replaced by the Parish Safeguarding Toolkit - not yet published)
- Protecting all God’s Children (2019)
- Promoting a Safe Church (2006)
- Note: ‘Promoting a Safer Church (2017)’ is under review and remains available during that period.
Diocese of Chelmsford Statements
Church of England NST Statement
Church of England National Safeguarding Standards
In October 2023, the Church of England published National Safeguarding Standards as an essential benchmark for safeguarding quality and impact across church bodies. The five standards enable church bodies to identify both strengths and areas for development.
Church of England Policy and Practice Guidance
Church of England Safeguarding e-manual & Resources
Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management
For step-by-step safer recruitment guidance, see our Safer Recruitment (inc DBS) page.
Additional resources:
Church of England Tools, Templates & Models
Posters & Publicity Materials
If your parish doesn’t have the facilities to print posters contact our Print Unit for a quote
Safeguarding & Digital Communications
As more of us use digital communications in ministry, it is important to be aware of the safeguarding implications and to follow best practice:
Photo and video consent
Adults appearing in photos or videos must give signed consent, specifying all places the image may be used.
For children:
Videos containing children may be used by the church if consent has been given by their parent or guardian. This needs to be signed consent and should include the places which the photo or video may be used by the church. If permission has not been given, it can be helpful to identify these children by using a simple paper wristband, or by asking them to sit in a photo and video free zone.
Practically, seeking permission may need a few extra helpers on the day, working from a safe social distance. Alternatively, prepare ahead by sending out the forms to your church newsletter list to avoid queues on the day.
Church of England Theology & Safeguarding
Duty to have 'due regard' to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance
The Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 places a legal duty on all authorised clergy, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs to have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops.
This means the guidance should be given great weight and followed unless there are cogent reasons not to. Any decision to depart from the guidance should only be made after specific advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and the Diocesan Registrar.
Consequences of non-compliance
- Clergy: failure to comply is misconduct under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003
- Readers or lay workers: grounds for revocation of licence by the bishop
- Churchwardens or PCCs: could result in a Charity Commission investigation and disqualification as charity trustees
- Ecclesiastical insurance cover is only valid where House of Bishops safeguarding guidance is followed
- Church of England: Duty to 'have due regard' - Explanation (2020, PDF)
- Government Legislation: Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016