Policy for Responding to Those who Might Present a Known Risk in Congregations[1]

Source: Parish Safeguarding Handbook 2018

Understanding “Those who might Present a Known Risk (aka “Known Offenders”) and why parishes need to respond

The House of Bishops Safeguarding policy states ‘The Church, based on the message of the gospel, opens its doors to all. It will therefore endeavour to offer pastoral care and support to any member of the church community whom may present a known risk’. This means that there are likely to be those with criminal convictions for sexual offences and other forms of abuse attending Church. In addition, there may be those who do not have convictions or cautions but where there are sound reasons for considering that they still might pose a present risk to others. Where people may pose a risk to others their position in a congregation or community will need to be carefully and sensitively considered/assessed to decide whether they pose a present risk to others and to put in place arrangements to ensure that these risks are mitigated. In these circumstances it is not only about monitoring individuals but offering support to lead a fulfilled life. As such the church has an important role contributing to the prevention of future abuse.

Some examples of the risk that individuals may pose is the risk to children, young people and adults are:

Sexual Harassment: Unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature. Examples might include the making of sexually degrading remarks, text messages with sexual content and physical behaviour, including unwanted touching.
Child Sexual Exploitation: A type of sexual abuse where an individual or group takes advantage of a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity.
Sexual offences – against both adults and children: This may include internet offences or contact offences (such as sexual abuse of a child under the age of consent / sexual assault and rape).
Financial abuse: targeting of vulnerable adults for financial gain, for example, asking for money, the acceptance of large ‘gifts’ or offering to do a job for someone at an extortionate rate of pay.

Take action

Always contact the DSA as soon as practicable, but within 24 hours, if you learn any of the following people worship in your church:

1. Anyone placed on the sex offenders register, and/or who is barred from working with children or adults by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

2. Anyone who admits to being an abuser including non-current abuse, or who is a potential risk to adults in the church.

3. Anyone who is subject to an investigation for suspected abuse, or suspended from their usual role.

4. Anyone who may pose a risk to other church members irrespective of their criminal status.

Category (4) may include a person in relation to whom:

An allegation of abuse against a child or adult has been investigated, but the matter has not proceeded to court, or the person has been acquitted, or the matter is currently the subject of proceedings in the criminal or civil courts but may still pose a risk.
A complaint or grievance has been received alleging inappropriate behaviour, which is not criminal.
There have been concerns about the person’s alleged abusive behaviour to a previous or a present partner. If the DSA is made aware by any other source of any person in the above categories who is intending to or is worshipping at a local parish church, s/he will notify the Incumbent in the first instance.

The DSA will determine the appropriate action to be taken to best safeguard the parish and its church community, based on the particular facts and circumstances of each case. They will undertake a risk assessment and the formation of a risk management plan known as a Safeguarding Agreement (see online Parish Resource pack for the template for a Safeguarding Agreement). The process will involve the person posing a risk, and usually the incumbent, churchwarden, Parish Safeguarding Officer and, if involved, statutory agencies i.e. police, National Probation Service and Children’s Social Care. Who is involved will depend on the case. The Safeguarding Agreement will be periodically monitored and reviewed. If a person is assessed as posing a risk to children or adults, the DSA, together with any statutory agencies involved, will support the parish to:

Form a small group of people to offer pastoral support, friendship and to monitor the person posing a risk.
Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality unless there is a breach of the agreement and it is necessary to inform others to protect a child.
Require the person to worship elsewhere if his/her victim or members of the victim’s family worship in the same church.
Ensure the person posing a risk is never offered any official role or office in the church or allowed to take up such a role, for example that of churchwarden, the leading of services, or any in which a child or vulnerable adult may, as a result, place trust in that person.
Consider whether with the person’s agreement and that of any statutory authorities involved, the congregation should be informed.
Meet with the person posing a risk and contribute to the drafting of a Safeguarding Agreement, setting out the parameters of his/her behaviour in the church setting.

The Safeguarding Agreement may include the following elements:

Attend designated services or meetings only.
Sit apart from children.
Stay away from areas of the building where children or vulnerable adults meet.
Attend a house group where there are no children or vulnerable adults.
Decline hospitality where there are children or vulnerable adults. Never work or be part of a mixed group with children or vulnerable adults.
Take no role or office in the church which gives him or her status or authority as others may deem that person to be trustworthy.

Failure to sign the agreement should result in the individual being refused access to the church premises for any reason and to any church activities. Should the agreement be breached, the police and other relevant agencies will be informed.

Approved by the PCC on 17^th November 2025

Signed

[1] Please see the House of Bishops “Responding to, assessing and managing safeguarding concerns or allegations against Church Officers Practice Guidance” for further information, if required.