Your Parish Safeguarding Policy
At the heart of any intention to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in church is a Parish Safeguarding Policy. Below is information about your parish safeguarding policy and how to implement it in your church.
A Parish Safeguarding Policy exists for several reasons:
- To state clearly the commitment of the church to prioritise promoting the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults
- To establish a clear framework for those entrusted with the care of children and vulnerable adults
- To give confidence to parents and carers when they entrust those running activities and groups at the church
- To give confidence to those who act on behalf of the church when action needs to be taken.
Your Parish Safeguarding Policy should be displayed in every place where activities involving children and/or vulnerable adults could take place, such as within the church and on church hall noticeboards. The safeguarding policy should be reviewed, signed and dated annually, and the copy on display should be updated following every review.
Your Parish Safeguarding Policy should be consulted every time a new activity which could involve children and/or vulnerable people is planned. The policy should be consulted when recruiting leaders and helpers, and for guidance when taking photographs and using social media.
A signed copy of your reviewed Parish Safeguarding Policy should be sent annually to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, as an email attachment to safeguarding@yorkdiocese.org, or by post to:
Diocesan Safeguarding Team
Diocese of York
Amy Johnson Way
Clifton Moor
York
YO30 4XT
Download the Church of England’s Model Parish Safeguarding Policy
Complaints Policy
Dioceces of York Safeguarding Complaints Policy
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the life and ministry of the Church. At the Diocese of York, we work hard to
ensure that our churches are places of welcome – as well as places which are
safe, including for children and vulnerable adults.
We aim to provide high quality services, but we understand that we don’t
always get things right. We are open to opportunities to learn and improve.
If you have any concerns about our safeguarding practices as a Diocese and
wish to make a complaint, you can do so following the procedure below.