Several requirements are imposed regarding background checks on employees and volunteers and risk assessing activities.
A good example of how regulations can apply is the requirement that all churches registered by the charity commission have to have a child protection policy in place.
This includes:
Your central organisation may have a child protection policy which you should adopt. If not, consider the guidelines from one of the websites below. These offer helpful guidance regarding obligations, duties, standards and how to comply with legal requirements.
If the church hires out the premises for use by other groups, it is good practice to check that the hiring organisation is reputable and has safeguarding policies in place.
There may be certain activities undertaken in places of worship which would be classed as a ‘regulated activity’ concerning young persons. Such activities may be regulated where the work involves teaching, training, supervising or providing guidance/advice for children (e.g. in educational, visitor group/learning, leisure/sport contexts).
However, this activity would only be regulated where it is carried out with a specific frequency and is carried out without supervision (by a person carrying out a regulated activity, e.g. teacher, instructor, etc).
We would therefore propose that, for individuals (employees, adults, volunteers acting/working on behalf of the place of worship)enhanced checks (without barred list) are carried out. For all other activities, a basic DBS check can be carried out.
Further guidance is available in relation to safeguarding children: www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/safeguarding-children
For vulnerable adults, guidance is available centrally from the Office of the Public Guardian: www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/protecting-the-vulnerable/mca/sva-procedures-guidance-1208.pdf.
It is recommended that if you are in doubt as to your responsibilities, you should consult your local Safeguarding Authority or obtain specialist legal advice.