The Use of Safeguarding Consultants — Guidance for Clergy and PCCs

guardingtheflock
Oct 24
2 min read

Across the Church of England, many parishes are becoming more proactive about safeguarding — As this commitment deepens, clergy and PCCs increasingly ask the same question:

“Are we actually allowed to use safeguarding consultants?”

The answer is yes — but with important boundaries. Parishes can engage safeguarding consultants, provided the arrangement supports, rather than replaces, the Church’s diocesan safeguarding structures.

Why a Parish Might Engage a Safeguarding Consultant?

A safeguarding consultant can offer specialist, independent insight to help parishes reflect, improve, and strengthen their safeguarding culture. Typical areas of support include:

Reviewing or updating parish safeguarding policies
Delivering bespoke training or awareness sessions
Conducting cultural or reflective reviews after an incident
Supporting safer recruitment and record-keeping practices
Advising the PCC or Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) on improvements

This kind of expertise can help parishes build confidence, improve compliance, and develop a safer, more accountable church environment.

Working Within the Boundaries

While consultants can play a valuable role, there are clear boundaries under Church of England policy.

A safeguarding consultant cannot:

Replace or act as the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA)
Manage or investigate safeguarding cases independently
Provide statutory safeguarding services
Be used to avoid diocesan oversight or formal reporting routes

The consultant’s function is advisory, educational, and supportive, not statutory. All safeguarding concerns or allegations must still be immediately referred to the DSA, as required by national policy.

Good Practice for Clergy and PCCs

When working with a safeguarding consultant or a third-party provider, the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance (2021) outline best practice. Recommended steps include:

Check professional credentials — including: qualifications, DBS status, and safeguarding insurance
Agree a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting out the scope and limits of the consultant’s role
Retain ultimate safeguarding responsibility with the Incumbent and PCC

This process ensures the consultant strengthens your parish’s safeguarding work — without compromising transparency or accountability.

The Role of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

An MOU provides a simple but vital governance safeguard. It ensures clarity, accountability, and transparency when engaging an external safeguarding consultant. A well-drafted MOU should clearly define:

The purpose and scope of the consultancy
What the consultant will and will not do
How information will be shared with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA)
Expectations for confidentiality, data protection, and review
Cost arrangements, including agreed fees, payment schedule, and any limits on additional expenses

Having an MOU demonstrates to your diocese that the PCC is acting responsibly, collaborating appropriately, and upholding national safeguarding policy.

How Guarding the Flock Can Help You

Guarding the Flock supports parishes, PCCs, and clergy in strengthening safeguarding culture through independent, faith-informed expertise that nurtures confidence, integrity, and care within your church community.

We work alongside you and your team, offering reflective, relational, and restorative insight to help your church live out its safeguarding mission with confidence.

Our approach is collaborative rather than

corrective — pastoral and not punitive. We listen, observe, and journey with you to strengthen your culture of care. Through training, mentoring, and tailored guidance, we help clergy and their teams turn good intentions into confident and safe actions.

Sometimes, fresh eyes can help your parish not only meet safeguarding expectations — but truly thrive as a safe, transparent, and nurturing community where everyone can flourish.

- Guarding the Flock