Protecting All God's Children (safeguarding policy for children and young people, 4th edition, 2010) Guidance on safer working practice, called Safer Environment and Activities, which provides highly practical advice for parishes, helping them to run their day-to-day activities as safely as possible, was published in November 2019 and can also be found on the Parish Safeguarding Handbook link below. Obviously, these Network Meeting are not taking place at present, however we will resume these when able to meet safely. In the Diocese of Chelmsford we have adopted the suite ofPolicy and Practice Guidance provided by the National Safeguarding Team for the Church of England. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook The legal duty to have 'due regard' means that, asa matter of law, the guidance should be given great weight and must be followed unless there are ‘cogent reasons’ for not doing so. A person who is required to have due regard to the guidance should not simply take it uponthemselvesto decide that there are cogent reasons for departing from the guidance. Such a decision should be taken – if at all – only after case-specific advice has been obtained from both the DSA (Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser) and the Diocesan Registrar.

Please note under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016*** all authorised clergy, bishops, archdeacons, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs must have ' due regard' to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this will include both policy and practice guidance). A duty to have 'due regard' to guidance means that the person under the duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow it unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so. ('Cogent' for this purpose means clear, logical and convincing.) Failure by clergy to comply with the duty imposed by the 2016 Measure may result in disciplinary action.

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Safeguarding records: joint practice guidance for the Church of England and the Methodist Church (2015) We will seek to protect those who are at risk of being abused and respond well to those who have been abused. A failure by a churchwarden or parochial church council to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding could result in an investigation being carried out by the Charity Commission and the churchwarden or PCC members being disqualified as charity trustees. As more of us are now using digital and video communications in our ministry it is important that we are aware of the safeguarding implications and following best practice. Please ensure you are familiar with the following guidance and share it with those in your parish who organise online meetings or worship activity. Promoting a Safer Church’ sets out the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults policy of the Church of England. It has been approved by the House of Bishops and applies to all Church Bodies and Church Officers.

Please go to the e-manual for the revised Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework Regulations Government Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online(2021) We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks. There is a requirement for each PCC to formally adopt and work to all the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policies . These resources will help parishes, and anyone involved in Church life understand and promote good safeguarding. Adopting The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding PolicySafeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith. We are all made unique and in the image of God. Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance (see John 10.10).

A "Church Officer" is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid. Follow the Parish Safeguarding Handbook link below for CofE policies, guidance and model templates. This section should equip you with all the knowledge and tools necessary to undertake your work within each parish or benefice relating to safeguarding. Parish Safeguarding Handbook (August 2019)(New Edition) 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. A failure by a reader or lay worker to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance would be grounds for the revocation of the reader’s or lay worker’s licence by the bishop.

SCIE Safeguarding Audit 2016

Your PCC needs to adopt this every year at the first PCC meeting after your APCM and send a statement confirming this into the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Parish Safeguarding Handbook The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group has made it clear that their insurance cover is only valid where House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance is being followed. Church Bodies includes PCCs, diocesan bodies, cathedrals, religious communities, theological training institutions and the National Church Institutions. This policy will apply to the whole of the provinces of Canterbury and York (including the Diocese in Europe subject to local variations/modifications). There is also an expectation that the policy will apply to the Channel Islands and Sodor and Man unless there is specific local legislation in a jurisdiction that would prevent adoption. Go to www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/promoting-safer-church/policy-practice-guidance/templates-resources for:

Those appearing in video or photographs will need to have given you their permission. A photo release form can be signed by adults. The form must include all the places that the photo or video may be used by the church. Responding to, assessing and managing concerns or allegations against church officers practice guidance (2017) The care and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook brings into place the safeguarding responsibilities for parishes as outlined in the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. It is supported by a range of model templates and good practice reference material, that can be found on the link to the Parish Safeguarding Handbook below.

The Parish Safeguarding Handbook

A failure by a member of the clergy to comply with the duty to have due regard to House of Bishops safeguarding guidance is misconduct under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (‘CDM’). Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations that relate to Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adultspractice guidance(2018) Incumbents, PCCs and parish safeguarding officers have a broad range of safeguarding responsibilities.