The Church of England should create the role of a diocesan safeguarding officer to replace the diocesan safeguarding adviser. Diocesan safeguarding officers should have the authority to make decisions independently of the diocesan bishop in respect of key safeguarding tasks, including: escalating incidents to the National Safeguarding Team, statutory authorities and the Charity Commission; advising on the suspension of clergy in safeguarding matters; investigating and/or commissioning investigations into safeguarding incidents; risk assessments and associated plans for church officers and members of the congregation; and supporting complainants in safeguarding-related issues. Diocesan safeguarding officers should be employed locally, by the Diocese Board of Finance. The diocesan safeguarding officer's work should be professionally supervised and quality assured by the National Safeguarding Team. The National Safeguarding Team should set the broad requirements for anyone applying to be a diocesan safeguarding officer (adapting as required the existing requirements in respect of diocesan safeguarding advisers). It should be enshrined in policy that those who are volunteers and who do not follow the directions of diocesan safeguarding officers should be removed from responsibility of working with children.