Church settings are safe environments for the great majority of children and adults at risk and, of course, the vast majority of people who work with them have their safety and welfare at heart. It is known, however, that some people seek access to children and adults at risk in order to abuse. In addition, some victims of abuse do not disclose the abuse at the time, so the perpetrator may remain active at the church.

This section covers the safe recruitment of all paid staff and volunteers working with children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable.

Following these procedures is essential so that unsuitable people are not appointed to work with children and adults at risk and that those appointed have access to the guidance, training and support they need to operate safely and effectively.

More comprehensive guidance is given in the full Church of England ‘Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment (2016) see below

Policies

• Dignity at Work Policy and Procedures (pdf)

Guidance

• Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment (2016)
• Clergy Discipline Measure (on the Church of England website)
• Guidelines for Professional Conduct of Clergy (pdf)

General Safer Recruitment Forms

• Grid for Safer Recruitment
• Model Proforma for DBS Portability (Doc)
• Filtering rules for criminal record check certificates (PDF)
• Filtering of convictions information sheet (PDF)
DBS eligibility FAQs (February 2017)

• Eligibility for an enhanced criminal records check
• Church of England roles eligible for a DBS check
• Safer recruiting in.the parish (Appendix 1) 2016

Volunteer Posts

• Model Role descriptors (doc)
• Model Volunteer job role (doc)
• Model Application form for Volunteer role(doc)
• Confidential Declaration form (pdf)
• Confidential Declaration form (doc)
• Model request for reference letter (doc)
• Model Interview Questions

Paid Posts

• Model Application form for paid posts (doc)
• Model Interview Questions
• Model Appointment letter (doc)

PCC Members forms

• Model PCC Member form
• PCC Role Descriptor
• Church of England roles eligible for a criminal records check

PSO Information

• Model role description for a PSO