Page 8 - Policies 2017

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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.
This Policy Statement is supported by more detailed Practice Guidance and Reference
documents which can be downloaded from: https://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-
holders/safeguarding-children-vulnerable-adults.aspx
Building on this, Church bodies may provide additional local procedures and guidance in line
with the House of Bishops policy and practice guidance.

Safeguarding Policy Statement of the Church of England

The Church of England, its Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and leaders are committed to
safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.
Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we
will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from
occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that
have been abused. 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.
The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach
encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies,
Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with
children, young people and adults, has a role to play.
The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice
fully and positively Christ's Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond
sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

Foundations
In developing and implementing the Safeguarding Policy, the Church of England, is guided by
the following foundations.

1. Gospel

The Church is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life
of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news
speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a
community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions
of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel

5 The Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 applies to the whole of the provinces of Canterbury and
York (including the Diocese in Europe subject to local variations/modifications), with the exception of the Channel
Islands and Sodor and Man. In order to extend the 2016 Measure to the Channel Islands or Sodor and Man
legislation will need to be passed by the relevant island jurisdictions in accordance with section 12 of that Measure.

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