The Diocesan Safeguarding Team have been undertaking a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) transition project to change providers to a Christian charity called Thirtyone: Eight. In moving to new systems, we have reviewed current processes, which have resulted in a change of levels of checks advised for some roles.
Having sought legal advice, we are advising PCCs to make it a requirement that all PCC members complete a DBS check to the level of Enhanced Child and Adult (but without Barred lists).
Below are the reasons why:
1. All PCCs are, by definition, charities working with children and vulnerable adults.
The broad purpose of a PCC (as set out in section 2(2)(a) of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956) is to promote in the parish “the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.” We have taken “the whole mission of the Church” to include working with vulnerable adults and children. Every PCC is therefore a children and vulnerable adults charity.
Although there may be no children or vulnerable adults in the church at the moment, is to miss the point; the purpose of the church (amongst other things) is to work with those groups, so it must be ready to receive and work with those groups at any point. The nature of the charity does not change just because it isn’t currently working with anyone in those groups.
This will be the case regardless of the size of the charity/PCC and includes those registered with the Charity Commission, and those not yet registered.
2. PCC members are therefore eligible for an Enhanced DBS check without a barring list check, because they are trustees of a charity for children or vulnerable adults.
This is spelt out in the DBS guidance in the following places:
3. If an individual PCC member is also working directly with vulnerable adults or children, that individual is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a barring list check for the relevant group (children or adults).
So, for example, a PCC member who also works in a children’s holiday club would be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a barring list check for children.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team would advise PCC’s to make this transition in a planned and realistic manner. Aiming to implement it within a year, and/or considering tying it in with the appointment of new PCC members, might be a realistic approach for your context.
Within Guernsey and Jersey, there are no PCCs, and the advice would be for all charity trustees within the leadership team to have a DBS check.