Safeguarding arrangements when in vacancy

The Key Roles and Responsibilities of Church Office Holders and Bodies Practice Guidance sets out guidance for all roles within the Church of England. 

From a safeguarding perspective, it sets out that it is the churchwardens’ responsibility to ensure that the incumbent’s safeguarding roles and responsibilities are fulfilled during a period of vacancy, in consultation with the PCC, Parish Safeguarding Officer and Area Dean. During a vacancy the PCC must, working with the churchwardens, ensure that all information about safeguarding matters is securely stored before passing the information on to the new incumbent. The departing incumbent must give the safeguarding information to the parish safeguarding officer who can pass the information on to the new incumbent when he/she takes up his new role.