31 Response Accepted Self-assessed

DBS and training compliance for Church officers

Recommendation

Individuals engaged in regulated activity who have failed to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check or complete compulsory training should not be permitted to hold voluntary offices within the Church. Failure by ordained clergy to comply with either requirement should result in disciplinary proceedings.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Church of England, on 27 June 2019, individuals in regulated roles who have failed to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or complete mandatory safeguarding training should not be allowed to continue in their voluntary role. The Church also stated that leaders, including clergy, who knowingly allow volunteers to remain in regulated roles without fulfilling these requirements should be considered under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. According to the government's formal response, the recommendation was accepted and marked as 'Completed' as of May 2023.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
E
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
22 May 2023

On 27 June 2019, the Church of England agreed that those in regulated roles who have failed to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check or complete mandatory safeguarding training should not be allowed to continue in their voluntary role. The Church of England stated that leaders such as clergy who knowingly allow volunteers to remain in regulated roles without having fulfilled these requirements should be considered under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. The Church also stated that the National Safeguarding Team would review key pieces of guidance to ensure that this position is reflected clearly.

Read Full Response
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Anglican Church Case Studies Investigation Report 21 May 2019
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Church of England Primary
Themes & Tags
Poor recruitment checks Care safeguarding systems Anglican Church DBS Training
Recommendation age 6.8 yrs
Last formal update 1037 days ago