The Safer Recruitment and People Management guidance was issued in 2021 and replaces previous safer recruitment practice guidance. The updated guidance is available for review within the new Church of England Safeguarding E-Manual.
Additionally, information on the new Safer Recruitment and People Management online learning pathway can be found on the diocesan website.
The requirements detailed in the guidance aim to help Church bodies to:
- Attract the best possible individuals to all roles through inclusive, fair, consistent and transparent processes;
- Identify and reject individuals who are unsuitable by following a proportionate but thorough selection process;
- Ensure that robust induction, oversight and supervision processes are in place for those working and volunteering with children and vulnerable adults.
Reinforcing the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults throughout the recruitment process and beyond will help create and maintain a safe and positive environment that inspires trust, enabling them to thrive and grow and have the very best experience of Christian living through the work of the Church.
Church bodies are able to review and track how they are doing in relation to the safer recruitment and people management guidance by using the Assessment Tool or by using the streamlined version of the assessment tool within the Parish Dashboard.
PCCs who employ staff members need to refer to the Parish Toolkit on the HR page for information, guidance and resources.
Resources
The Safer Recruitment and People Management Toolkit provides the following template resources and examples, to assist with implementing the Safer Recruitment and People Management Process (2021):
- Volunteer role description
- Volunteer person specification
- Volunteer application form
- Example interview questions
- Reference request form
- DBS eligibility guidance
- Risk assessment form template
- Volunteer appointment letter template
- Induction checklist
- Volunteer support meeting template
Safer Recruitment and People Management FAQs
Confidential Declaration Form and Privacy Notice
Parish Volunteer Agreement Template (June 2022)
The Diocese of Oxford have also developed the Parish Toolkit which provides information to PCCs about employment and safeguarding issues and signposts useful resources. Topics include recruitment and selection, employing staff, working with volunteers and employment legislation.
Disclosure and Barring Service
We are pleased to advise that, as a result of a rigorous procurement process, Verifile has been identified as our recommended provider for DBS checks going forward. This recommendation was endorsed by Bishop’s Council in December 2025.
More details can be found here.
Verifile
To set up a parish account with Verifile in order to apply for DBS checks, please return the completed Adoption Agreement below to dbschecks@oxford.anglican.org
If your parish is already registered with Verifile, but you wish to change your DBS Administrator/Verifier, please fill in the declaration form below and return to dbschecks@oxford.anglican.org
Verifile should be contacted for queries regarding DBS checks which are currently being processed:
Telephone: +44 (0) 1234 339 350
Email: service@verifile.co.uk
If you have a Verifile login, you can access the Knowledge Base on the system which includes User Guides and the ability to speak directly to a member of the Verifile team.
DBS Information
The Safeguarding e-Manual details the requirements and good practice for Disclosure and Barring Service checks within our Church Bodies.
Transgender applicants who may be concerned about disclosure of sensitive personal information can apply through the Government provided DBS sensitive applications line on 0151 676 1452 or email sensitive@dbs.gov.uk for further advice about completing the form.
Church of England Roles Eligible for a Criminal Record Check
Activities Eligible for an Enhanced DBS
Disclosure and Barring Service