Incumbents, PCCs and parish safeguarding officers have a broad range of safeguarding responsibilities.

These resources will help parishes, and anyone involved in Church life understand and promote good safeguarding.

Adopting The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy

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.

‘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.

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

This Parish Safeguarding Handbook aims to further strengthen the Church’s approach to safeguarding by bringing into one place the safeguarding responsibilities for parishes as outlined in the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. It has been designed to support the day-to-day work of all parishes in relation to safeguarding and those who have a key role to play with children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable.

– Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

For the most up to date templates and resources relating to safeguarding policy and practice guidance, including those referenced in the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, please look on the Church of England’s templates and resources pages.

The list from Church House Publishing shows other resources published by the Church of England.

The safeguarding prayers and liturgical resources were published in 2018 by the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission.