Creating a Church Where Everyone Is Safe, Valued and Protected
Safeguarding is an essential responsibility for every church.
A church should be a place where children, young people and adults can worship, learn, build friendships, receive support and participate in ministry without fear of abuse, exploitation, neglect or harm.
Safeguarding is not simply a set of policies kept in a folder or a requirement that has to be completed once a year. It is about creating a culture in which people are respected, concerns are taken seriously and everyone understands their responsibility to protect others.
Whether your church is large or small, safeguarding matters.
A small congregation is not exempt from safeguarding responsibilities. In fact, smaller churches can sometimes face particular challenges because fewer volunteers may carry several responsibilities.
Safeguarding belongs to the whole church community.
What Is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means taking reasonable and appropriate steps to protect people from harm and to promote their wellbeing.
In a church context, this can include protecting:
• Children.
• Young people.
• Vulnerable adults.
• Older people.
• People experiencing domestic abuse.
• People experiencing exploitation.
• People who may be at risk because of their circumstances.
• Church volunteers and workers.
• Anyone attending church activities.
Safeguarding also means responding appropriately when someone raises a concern.
It is not about assuming everyone is a potential danger.
It is about recognising that churches have a responsibility to create safe environments.
Why Safeguarding Matters
Churches are communities built around trust.
People may share deeply personal information with ministers, pastoral workers, volunteers and other church members.
Parents may entrust their children to church activities.
People experiencing difficulties may seek prayer and pastoral support.
That trust must be handled responsibly.
When safeguarding is taken seriously, churches demonstrate that every person’s wellbeing matters.
When concerns are ignored, dismissed or handled badly, people can be placed at further risk.
Safeguarding therefore needs to be part of the everyday culture of church life.
Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility
A church should have designated safeguarding leadership, but safeguarding should not be left entirely to one person.
Everyone has a part to play.
Church members and volunteers should know:
• Who the safeguarding lead is.
• How to raise a concern.
• What to do if someone discloses abuse.
• What the church’s safeguarding procedures are.
• Where relevant policies can be found.
• When confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
The designated safeguarding person needs appropriate support, training and access to church leadership.
Appoint a Safeguarding Lead
Every church should have someone with clear responsibility for safeguarding.
Depending on the denomination and church structure, this person may have a different title.
Their role can include:
• Receiving safeguarding concerns.
• Ensuring appropriate records are kept.
• Helping volunteers understand procedures.
• Liaising with denominational safeguarding structures.
• Making appropriate referrals.
• Supporting safer recruitment.
• Monitoring safeguarding training.
• Keeping policies up to date.
The safeguarding lead should not be expected to investigate matters beyond their competence.
Serious concerns should be referred to the appropriate statutory or specialist services.
Have a Clear Safeguarding Policy
A safeguarding policy should not simply exist because someone says the church needs one.
It should be understandable, accessible and regularly reviewed.
The policy should explain:
• The church’s commitment to safeguarding.
• Who has safeguarding responsibility.
• How concerns are reported.
• What happens when a concern is raised.
• How records are handled.
• Recruitment procedures.
• Training expectations.
• Supervision arrangements.
• Procedures for activities involving children and adults at risk.
• How allegations concerning church workers are managed.
• Emergency procedures.
Churches should follow the safeguarding requirements of their denomination and the law applicable to their location.
Safer Recruitment
One of the most important areas of safeguarding is choosing people carefully for roles involving children and adults who may be at risk.
Churches should have appropriate recruitment procedures.
These may include:
• Application forms.
• References.
• Interviews.
• Identity checks.
• Appropriate background checks.
• Relevant criminal-record checks where required.
• Safeguarding training.
• Clear role descriptions.
• Ongoing supervision.
A background check is only one part of safer recruitment.
It should never be treated as proof that someone is automatically safe.
Good safeguarding involves the whole recruitment process.
Training Volunteers
People cannot be expected to follow safeguarding procedures if they have never been taught them.
Volunteers should receive appropriate training for their role.
Training can help people recognise:
• Possible signs of abuse.
• Neglect.
• Exploitation.
• Grooming.
• Bullying.
• Domestic abuse.
• Unsafe behaviour.
• Inappropriate boundaries.
• Concerns about online activity.
They should also know what to do when they become concerned.
Training should be refreshed regularly and whenever procedures change.
Listening to Children
Children need to know that adults will listen to them.
Create an environment where children can speak about worries without being dismissed.
Pay attention when a child:
• Appears frightened.
• Suddenly changes behaviour.
• Becomes unusually withdrawn.
• Talks about something worrying.
• Expresses fear of a particular person.
• Says something that suggests they may be experiencing harm.
A single sign does not automatically prove abuse.
However, concerns should never simply be ignored.
If a Child Tells You Something
If a child or young person tells you about abuse or something that makes you concerned, remain calm.
Listen carefully.
Avoid interrogating them.
Do not ask leading questions designed to make them provide particular answers.
Do not promise absolute secrecy.
You can explain that you may need to tell someone whose job is to help keep them safe.
Record what was said as accurately as possible and follow your church’s safeguarding procedure.
If there is an immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency or safeguarding service rather than waiting for a routine church process.
Never Promise Confidentiality
This is particularly important in pastoral ministry.
Someone may say:
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
You should not make a promise that could prevent appropriate safeguarding action.
Instead, explain that you will treat what they tell you sensitively, but that information may need to be shared with people who can help protect them.
Confidentiality is important.
But safeguarding concerns may override ordinary expectations of confidentiality.
Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding is not only about children.
Adults may also be vulnerable to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
This can happen in many circumstances.
People may be at greater risk because of:
• Age.
• Disability.
• Illness.
• Dependency on others.
• Isolation.
• Financial circumstances.
• Cognitive difficulties.
• Domestic circumstances.
Churches should have appropriate procedures for responding to concerns involving adults.
Types of Abuse
Safeguarding concerns can take many forms.
These may include:
| Physical Abuse | Deliberately causing physical injury or harm. |
| Emotional or Psychological Abuse | Actions that cause fear, humiliation, intimidation or emotional distress. |
| Sexual Abuse | Any sexual activity or behaviour involving someone who does not or cannot freely consent, including abuse of children. |
| Financial Abuse | Taking or misusing someone’s money, property or financial resources. |
| Neglect | Failing to provide appropriate care where there is a responsibility to do so. |
| Domestic Abuse | Abuse occurring within intimate or family relationships can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial and controlling behaviour. |
| Exploitation | Taking advantage of someone for personal, financial or other gain. |
The exact definitions and safeguarding responsibilities can vary, so churches should use recognised guidance appropriate to their jurisdiction.
Bullying Is a Safeguarding Concern
Bullying should never simply be dismissed as children “sorting things out themselves.”
Bullying can have serious consequences.
It can happen:
• In children’s groups.
• Among young people.
• Online.
• Within church communities.
• Among adults.
Churches should have clear procedures for dealing with bullying and harassment.
Everyone should be treated with dignity.
Online Safeguarding
Modern church ministry increasingly takes place online.
Churches may use:
• Social media.
• Video calls.
• Messaging platforms.
• Email.
• Websites.
• Online Bible studies.
• Livestreams.
This creates additional safeguarding considerations.
Churches should consider:
• Who can contact children online?
• Are volunteers using personal accounts?
• Are appropriate communication channels being used?
• Are group conversations appropriately monitored?
• Are photographs being shared with permission?
• How are personal details protected?
• What happens if inappropriate communication occurs?
Digital safeguarding should be part of the church’s overall safeguarding strategy.
Photography and Children
Churches often photograph activities and events.
Before taking or publishing photographs of children, churches should have appropriate consent and privacy arrangements.
Consider:
• Why is the photograph being taken?
• Where will it be published?
• Who can access it?
• Has appropriate consent been obtained?
• Is identifying information being shared?
Be particularly careful when posting photographs publicly on websites and social media.
Appropriate Boundaries
Healthy boundaries protect everyone.
Church workers and volunteers should understand appropriate behaviour.
This can include:
• Avoiding inappropriate physical contact.
• Avoiding unnecessary one-to-one situations.
• Using appropriate communication channels.
• Maintaining professional boundaries.
• Being transparent about meetings.
• Following church procedures for transport.
• Avoiding secretive relationships with young people.
Boundaries are not about making relationships cold.
They help create safe and healthy relationships.
The Two-Adult Principle
Churches may use arrangements such as having two responsible adults present when working with children.
The exact requirements vary according to denomination, activity and local safeguarding guidance.
The important principle is to avoid unnecessary situations where a child and one adult are isolated from appropriate oversight.
Churches should follow their own safeguarding procedures rather than relying on informal assumptions.
Don’t Ignore a Concern
Sometimes people hesitate to report concerns because they are worried about getting someone into trouble.
They may think:
| “It probably isn’t anything.” | “I don’t want to cause problems.” |
| “They’re a respected member of the church.” | “I’ve known them for years.” |
Safeguarding procedures exist precisely because concerns need to be assessed appropriately.
You do not need to prove abuse yourself.
Your responsibility may simply be to recognise a concern and report it through the appropriate channel.
What If the Concern Involves a Church Leader?
Safeguarding procedures must apply to everyone.
That includes:
• Ministers.
• Pastors.
• Elders.
• Deacons.
• Youth leaders.
• Volunteers.
• Employees.
• Trustees.
• Long-standing church members.
A person’s position, reputation or length of service should never automatically protect them from appropriate safeguarding procedures.
If the concern involves the normal safeguarding lead, the church should have an alternative reporting route.
Record Concerns Carefully
Good record keeping is important.
When recording a concern:
• Write down what you observed.
• Record what was said.
• Use the person’s own words where possible.
• Include dates and times.
• Avoid adding assumptions.
• Keep information secure.
• Follow the church’s data protection procedures.
Do not investigate the allegation yourself unless you have been specifically authorised and trained to do so.
Your role may simply be to report accurately.
Don’t Gossip
Safeguarding information is sensitive.
Do not discuss allegations casually with other church members.
Gossip can:
• Harm people.
• Compromise investigations.
• Spread inaccurate information.
• Damage trust.
• Breach privacy.
Share information only with people who need it for safeguarding purposes.
Safeguarding and Pastoral Care
Pastoral ministry often involves listening to people during difficult periods.
Someone may disclose:
• Abuse.
• Domestic violence.
• Financial exploitation.
• Addiction.
• Family difficulties.
• Fear.
• Neglect.
Pastoral care can provide compassion and prayer, but church volunteers should understand the limits of their role.
Pastoral support should complement, not replace, appropriate professional and statutory support.
Create a Culture of Safeguarding
The strongest safeguarding systems are not simply collections of rules.
They are part of the culture of the church.
Ask:
| Do people feel safe speaking up? | Are concerns taken seriously? |
| Are volunteers trained? | Are leaders accountable? |
| Are children listened to? | Are vulnerable adults treated with dignity? |
| Are policies actually followed? | Are we willing to learn from mistakes? |
These questions can help a church continually improve.
Review Your Safeguarding Arrangements
Safeguarding should be reviewed regularly.
Check:
• Policies.
• Training.
• Volunteer records.
• Background checks where applicable.
• Risk assessments.
• Contact information.
• Emergency procedures.
• Children’s activities.
• Online ministry.
• Building safety.
• Accessibility.
• Reporting arrangements.
Do not wait until there is a problem before reviewing your procedures.
Safeguarding Is About Care
It can sometimes feel as though safeguarding is all about paperwork.
Policies are important.
Procedures are important.
Training is important.
But behind all of them is something much more important:
People matter.
| A vulnerable adult matters. | A volunteer matters. |
| A survivor matters. | A person raising a concern matters. |
Safeguarding is ultimately about protecting people and treating them with dignity.
What Can Your Church Do Today?
You do not need to overhaul everything in one day.
Begin by asking:
• Who is our safeguarding lead?
• Do all volunteers know who they are?
• Is our safeguarding policy current?
• Do relevant volunteers have appropriate training?
• Are our recruitment procedures robust?
• Do people know how to report a concern?
• Are children and adults at risk listened to?
• Are our online activities appropriately managed?
• Are safeguarding records stored securely?
• Do we regularly review our practices?
Small improvements can strengthen the safety of the whole church.
Conclusion
Safeguarding is not an optional extra.
It is an essential part of responsible Christian ministry.
Churches should be places where people can worship without fear, children can participate safely, adults can receive appropriate support and everyone is treated with dignity.
No church should assume:
“It won’t happen here.”
Safeguarding concerns can arise in any organisation or community.
The answer is not suspicion of everyone.
The answer is good systems, appropriate boundaries, trained people, responsible leadership and a culture where concerns are heard and acted upon.
A safe church is not a church that claims nothing ever goes wrong.
A safe church is one that is prepared to respond appropriately when something does go wrong.
| It listens. | It takes concerns seriously. |
| It follows appropriate procedures. | It protects people. |
| It seeks help when necessary. | And it continually learns. |
Safeguarding is about more than protecting an organisation’s reputation. It is about protecting people.
Let your church be a place where people know they are valued, respected and safe.
14-Day Bible Reading Plan: Safeguarding in Your Church
Day 1 — Welcoming and Protecting Children
Reading: Mark 10:13–16
Day 2 — Caring for the Vulnerable
Reading: Psalm 82:1–4
Day 3 — Justice and Compassion
Reading: Isaiah 1:16–17
Day 4 — Looking After One Another
Reading: Philippians 2:1–5
Day 5 — Caring for the Vulnerable
Reading: James 1:22–27
Day 6 — Speaking Up for Others
Reading: Proverbs 31:8–9
Day 7 — Protecting the Weak
Reading: Ezekiel 34:1–10
Day 8 — Treating Others With Dignity
Reading: Romans 12:9–18
Day 9 — Responsible Leadership
Reading: 1 Peter 5:1–4
Day 10 — Accountability
Reading: Luke 12:35–48
Day 11 — Caring for One Another
Reading: Galatians 6:1–10
Day 12 — Wisdom and Discernment
Reading: Proverbs 2:1–11
Day 13 — Being a Light
Reading: Matthew 5:13–16
Day 14 — Serving With Integrity
Reading: 1 Peter 4:7–11
Reflection
Take some time to consider the safeguarding culture within your church.
• Do people know who to speak to if they have a concern?
• Do children know that trusted adults will listen to them?
• Are volunteers appropriately recruited and trained?
• Are safeguarding policies regularly reviewed?
• Are leaders accountable?
• Are vulnerable adults treated with dignity and respect?
• Does the church have appropriate online safeguarding arrangements?
• Do we know what to do if someone discloses abuse?
• Are we careful about confidentiality and information sharing?
• What could our church improve?
A Final Thought
A church should be a place where people can encounter God while also knowing that their safety, dignity and wellbeing matter. Safeguarding is not simply a policy—it is part of how we demonstrate care, responsibility and love for one another.
This page is designed to give some ideas about your safeguarding policy and other churches policies. Please remember copyright laws when writing your own church safeguarding policy.
The United Reformed Church Template for local church safeguarding policy.
Copyright and Originality Note
The material provided is intended only as a guide and source of inspiration for developing our own content. It should not be copied, reproduced, or closely replicated in any form, as the original material is the copyright of the United Reform Church.
Any resulting content should be independently written and substantially reworded, using our own structure, wording, examples, and presentation.
Safeguarding policy: protecting vulnerable adults GOV UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-policy-protecting-vulnerable-adults
Working together to safeguard children https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2
A safer church Safeguarding Church of England https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency https://catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/
Safeguarding The Methodist Church https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/
Safeguarding in faith communities NSPCC https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/faith-communities
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