Your Parish Safeguarding Policy

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 (editable Word document)
• See more helpful advice on compiling, reviewing and implementing your Parish Safeguarding Policy on the Church of England website
• Go to guidance on Social Media and on Photographs of Children and Vulnerable Adults on our Communications pages

Go to Safeguarding home page