Safer Recruitment & People Management
The House of Bishops Safer Recruitment and People Management guidance comes into practice January 2022.
Safer recruitment is a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keep all the church community safe from harm. Failure to apply these principles and practices exposes children and vulnerable adults to greater risk of abuse by people who will target and exploit inadequate safeguards.
DBS checks are important but are only part of safer recruitment, many individuals who have or will abuse do not have a criminal record, this is why the other steps are as important.
Quick guide
The principles are not new, the guidance provides clarity to what each step of the process involves and how to implement this in practice
The Safer Recruitment and People Management E Manual outlines the minimum requirements for all roles that involve ‘substantial contact’ with children, young people and vulnerable adults (including members of the clergy authorised to officiate, Readers/Licensed Lay Ministers, lay workers, employees and volunteers).
There are 16 stages to the SRPM guidance, each section includes;
- Requirements - mandatory aspects that need to be in place
- Good practice advice – additional guidelines providing greater detail
- Templates – providing examples and a guide to what needs to be in the relevant paperwork
SRPM Assessment Tool
The SRPM Assessment Tool provides you with all the steps you need to consider to ensure you are compliant with the new guidance.
SRPM Process
Resource from Birmingham Diocese shared with permission
Safer Recruitment and People Management online course
The SRPM online course needs to be completed by the following groups:
- Anyone involved in the recruitment of church officers
- Anyone involvement in the ongoing management of church officers
- Those with responsibility for administering DBS
- Parish/Cathedral Safeguarding Officer
The training can be found at the Church of Engalnd training portal link below
Templates:
Recruitment (Guidance Sections 2-11 )
Example volunteer role description
Example volunteer person specification
Example volunteer application form
Example Reference request form
Example volunteer appointment letter
People Management (Guidance Sections 12-16)
Example volunteer induction checklist
Example volunteer support meeting agenda
Example SRPM record keeping document
FAQs
PDFs
Safer Recruitment & People Management guidance - PDF version