Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether current Church safeguarding guidance on engagement with parishes during live criminal investigations is consistent with national safeguarding and policing best practice.

Internal church safeguarding processes run in tandem with those conducted by statutory services. Criminal investigations will always take primacy over internal processes, which must do nothing to frustrate criminal proceedings. Safeguarding Case Management Groups (SCMGs) will always seek advice from the police before undertaking any messaging within parishes. Police and other statutory services are invited to SCMGs to ensure information sharing. Guidance on referring to statutory services is contained within the 2025 Managing Allegations Code.