Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
5Guidance
1
A relevant person must have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
2
Each of the following is a relevant person—
a
a clerk in Holy Orders who is authorised to officiate in accordance with the Canons of the Church of England;
b
a diocesan, suffragan or assistant bishop;
c
an archdeacon;
d
a person who is licensed to exercise the office of reader or serve as a lay worker;
e
a churchwarden;
f
a parochial church council.
3
In section 8(1) of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (acts or omissions constituting misconduct)—
a
after paragraph (a) insert—
aa
failing to comply with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults);
b
in paragraph (b), after “failing to do any” insert “
other
”
.
4
In Part 2 of the Church Representation Rules (parochial church meetings and councils), in rule 9 (business), after paragraph (2) insert—
2A
The annual report referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall include a statement as to whether the council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).