DBS requirements.
All Church Wardens are required to hold a valid Enhanced DBS Certificate for the Child and Adult workforce without barred list checks, the same as other PCC members, as they are trustees of a charity (the church) which sponsors or approves work with children and vulnerable adults. If the parish is in vacancy and the warden has stepped up into a leadership role they will require an Enhanced DBS Certificate for the Child and Adult workforce with both barred list checks.
As the time between election and commencement of duties for Wardens is often only a matter of days we advise that all those intending to stand for Warden should apply for a DBS check in using the job title of ‘Candidate Warden’ prior to being elected. For those standing for re-election please ensure you apply to renew your DBS in good time before it expires. If you already hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate with Lichfield diocese at the correct level and in date for another role you do not need to apply for a new one.
If successful in election to the post of Warden you will be required to provide your Enhanced DBS Certificate number and issue date to your Archdeacon using the paperwork provided for the Visitation, in order to be admitted to the post at the Visitation. We would recommend that those standing for the post of Warden commence the process of obtaining a DBS check as soon as possible as the time taken for an Enhanced DBS Check to process can vary from a few days to several weeks or even months.
Safeguarding training requirements for wardens.
Wardens are often the first point of contact to those making safeguarding disclosures. For this reason, it is considered essential by both the Diocese and the National Safeguarding team, that wardens complete Basic Awareness and Foundations modules of the safeguarding training programme (both online courses). You must commit to undertaking this as quickly as possible upon appointment as a Warden.
Basic Awareness and Foundations are church specific foundation modules that are completed online. You may access these by visiting the National Church’s training portal at https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/.
Church wardens who are managing a parish in interregnum will also be required to complete the National Church’s Leadership Safeguarding Training Module. This is a face to face module over two sessions delivered via Zoom.
Safeguarding requirements in vacancy
It is a requirement that church wardens also complete the Safeguarding Leadership module if their church is in interregnum.