Why use these worksheets?
The Church of England published the National Safeguarding Standards Quality Assurance Framework in October 2023. The introduction to Standard 1 says:
“We know from other sectors that simply knowing and following procedures is not enough to do safeguarding well. To keep people safe, and respond well when abuse happens, organisations need to have healthy cultures and effective leadership. Organisations with unhealthy cultures will be more susceptible to unhealthy behaviour becoming abusive behaviour, and they will be unsafe spaces for people to disclose abuse or to get the response they need. Leaders have a key role to play in shaping culture.”
National Safeguarding Standards and QA Framework, page 7
These worksheets aim to help clergy and PCC members in shaping a healthy culture.
PCCs are welcome to use them if they are helpful, or to ignore them if they are not.
Download the worksheets - PDF format
- Worksheet 1A - Promoting a healthy and safe culture
- Worksheet 1B - Promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups
- Worksheet 4A - Victims and survivors of abuse
- Worksheet 5A - Supporting people in safeguarding roles
Download the worksheets - Word format
- Worksheet 1A - Promoting a healthy and safe culture
- Worksheet 1B - Promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups
- Worksheet 4A - Victims and survivors of abuse
- Worksheet 5A - Supporting people in safeguarding roles
How can these worksheets be used?
Safeguarding Worksheet 1A has been designed to help each PCC with the mandatory requirement to regularly review their church culture.
The remaining worksheets have been designed to help promote good practice in accordance with the National Safeguarding Standards. These are not mandatory.
The National Safeguarding Team recognises that it takes time to develop a healthy culture, and it recommends a three-year cycle for implementing and reviewing the Safeguarding Standards. The worksheets can be used as part of this cycle.
Do you have any feedback?
Any feedback would be very much appreciated.