Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016

5 Guidance

(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);”, and

(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).”