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Child and adult protection: Frequently asked questions

You can send in a question to be included here, this section will be continually updated depending on the number of queries over a certain issue.

  1. Does the Nominated Person need a CRB check?  Yes, even if they have one already for Child Protection; there is a separate box to tick on the form.

  2. Can the Nominated Person be the same as the Child Protection person? Yes, if that person is willing to take on both roles.

  3. What if a small parish can’t find a volunteer for this role? A Benefice could have 1 person in the role. Any smaller parishes could share the role if the person was willing to make links with another parish. Otherwise the incumbent or churchwarden would need to assume the role until a volunteer was found.

  4. Who else besides the Nominated Person needs to be CRB checked? Not everyone who helps with adult work. It is only needed if an activity is directly targeting vulnerable adults – so if you have a service/lunch club that is advertised for people with learning disability or a self help group advertised for those with dementia or those with mental ill-health, then leaders and regular helpers will need to be checked. However, if you run a lunch club or a service or other event that is open to any adults (even if aimed at the elderly), some of whom may be technically vulnerable then only a group leader needs to have a CRB check. Those helping clergy with home communion for vulnerable people should be checked but general pastoral visitors do not need to be.

  5. Does the Safeguarding Adults’ policy and procedures apply to all elderly, frail, vulnerable adults? No, only those who meet the definition of ‘technically vulnerable’

  6. What is the definition of technically vulnerable? A person over 18 who receives or may need to receive support for daily living from health and/or social care and who is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

  7. What if I am unsure whether the adult safeguarding procedures apply? If in doubt contact the safeguarding adult officer who will discuss the case & advise you.

  8. Shouldn’t we be caring for all the others who don’t fit the technical definition? Yes, indeed, but we use general parish guidelines for pastoral care rather than the safeguarding adults’ procedures. The safeguarding procedures are only for reporting abuse/possible abuse

  9. How do I know if a vulnerable adult is being harmed? If they tell you, show you, if you observe suspicious injuries, if there are unexplained changes in their demeanour, financial situation, behaviour etc. The signs & symptoms are numerous and individuals all respond differently to being harmed.  (See separate page of signs & symptoms that will be added to this website )

  10. What if a person who we think is being harmed doesn’t want us to report the concern? We still have a duty to report it if we think that a crime has been committed or that the person is being significantly harmed or that others could be harmed by the same suspected perpetrator.

  11. What about confidentiality? Any safeguarding concern takes precedence over confidentiality so we need to be honest and tell someone quickly if they are sharing something that could be a safeguarding issue.

  12. Is the Diocesan Safeguarding Adults Officer just dealing with the technical vulnerable group? No; the Safeguarding Adults Officer can give support & advice & training on general pastoral work with the wider group of elderly & vulnerable people that parishes serve.