Policies and Procedures

The Code of Conduct for PCC Meetings Policy sets out the Code of Conduct for Parochial Church Council (PCC) members, establishing clear standards of behaviour for formal meetings and ongoing discussions. It covers key expectations such as attendance, preparation, managing conflicts of interest, respectful participation, and collective responsibility, drawing on good governance principles and the Nolan Principles on Standards in Public Life. The policy is needed because PCCs operate as charities utilising church funds, making high standards of integrity essential to maintain public trust and confidence.

This code should not be seen as patronising to existing members, but rather as a safeguard to protect us as a corporate body. By establishing a shared baseline of expected conduct, it empowers the council to challenge behaviour and address situations where individuals may not be adhering to the spirit of the policy.

View the policy here: The Code of Conduct for PCC Meeting

The Complaints Policy for the Ouse Valley Benefice covers matters for which the Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible that have negatively affected individuals, providing a formal procedure when informal approaches to the Incumbent or a Churchwarden are unsuccessful. It is needed to ensure that such grievances are addressed through a structured process that guarantees they are treated seriously, handled fairly without bias or discrimination, and kept strictly confidential.

View the policy here: Complaints Policy

The Conflicts of Interest Policy covers what constitutes a conflict of interest for members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)—whether direct, indirect, through family, friends, or business partners—and outlines the procedures for declaring, documenting, and managing them, including recusal from discussions and quorums. It is needed to ensure that all decision-making processes within the Ouse Valley Benefice are entirely free from personal bias and do not unfairly favour any individual connected with the church.

View the policy here: Conflicts of Interest Policy

This data privacy notice outlines how the PCCs within the Ouse Valley Benefice collect, process, use, share, and retain personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is needed to ensure transparency and accountability in handling personal data for purposes such as administering membership records, managing employees and volunteers, maintaining accounts, and informing individuals about church news and events, while clearly establishing and protecting the legal rights of data subjects.

View the policy here: Data Privacy Policy

The Harassment & Bullying (Dignity at Work) policy covers unacceptable behaviours involving a misuse of power—such as offensive, intimidating, or malicious actions, and harassment related to protected characteristics—that humiliate, intimidate, or isolate individuals within church settings. It is needed because the Church is required by God to foster relationships of integrity, truthfulness, and trustworthiness, maintaining a culture of mutual respect where individuals feel safe, respected, and treated with dignity. Unaddressed unacceptable behaviour can escalate and cause significant psychological, emotional, or physical distress, making it essential that all complaints are taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and supported by clear informal and formal resolution procedures.

View the policy here: Harassment & Bullying Policy (Dignity at work)

The Infant Baptism Policy for the Ouse Valley Benefice outlines the guidelines, eligibility requirements, and structured scheduling for families seeking baptism or a Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. It covers residency and congregational expectations, necessary parental consent, godparent qualifications, and specific Sunday service timings across the benefice's churches. This policy is needed to ensure a transparent, pastoral, and well-organized approach to welcoming children and their families into the church community while providing clear expectations for preparation and participation.

View the policy here: Infant Baptism Policy

The Lone Working Policy for Ouse Valley Benefice is designed to safeguard the health and safety of employees and volunteers who work alone on church premises or conduct home visits. It is needed to minimise potential risks—such as sudden illness, fire, abuse or physical violence, intrusion, stress, and unverified accusations—by establishing clear safety principles, communication protocols, emergency procedures, and individual responsibilities.

View the policy here: Lone Working Policy 

The Ouse Valley Benefice Safeguarding Policy establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure a safe, caring, and secure environment across all parish churches. It covers commitments to promote a safer culture, safely recruit and train those working with children and vulnerable adults, respond promptly and seriously to all safeguarding concerns or disclosures, notify statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) when necessary, and provide pastoral care for victims, survivors, and affected persons. This policy is needed to uphold the Church of England's safeguarding standards, maintain rigorous accountability through designated Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs), and ensure that every church community actively protects vulnerable individuals and reviews its practices annually.

View the policy here: Safeguarding Policy

The Social Media and Website Policy covers the use of all social media platforms—including Facebook, WhatsApp Communities, Messenger, and official websites—for both church activities and personal use that could impact the church or its reputation. It is needed to protect individuals who interact with the church's activities and use social media, as well as to ensure that the church's reputation is not damaged or adversely affected.

View the policy here: Social Media Policy

The Visiting Bell Ringers Policy (OVB-PCY-008) outlines the safeguarding conditions and health and safety requirements for visiting bell-ringing groups within the Ouse Valley Benefice. It is needed to ensure that all visiting organisations comply with parish safeguarding standards—or maintain an equivalent policy—thereby protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults through proper supervision, safer recruitment, liability insurance, and clear protocols for handling potential risks or prior convictions before each visit.

View the policy here: Visiting Bell Ringers Policy