The 2026 Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance reinforces a simple but vital message for all church volunteers: if something worries you, report it. You do not need proof that abuse has occurred, and you should never investigate concerns yourself. Your role is to notice, record and pass concerns to the safeguarding lead without delay.
1. The key message
Information must be shared earlier and more confidently if it helps protect a child. Safeguarding is no longer about waiting until you are certain something is wrong. If something concerns you, it should be recorded and passed on.
2. What has changed
The 2026 update strengthens expectations about how organisations (including churches) share information with safeguarding partners such as social care and the police.
- Concerns should be shared earlier
- Small concerns may still matter
- You do not need proof before reporting
- Data protection laws do not stop safeguarding information being shared
3. What this means for you as a volunteer
You should now:
- Pass concerns to the safeguarding lead as soon as possible
- Record what you saw or heard even if it seems minor
- Avoid trying to investigate yourself
- Understand that concerns may need to be shared outside the church
You should NOT:
- Keep safeguarding concerns to yourself
- Wait until you are sure something is wrong
- Promise a child you will keep something secret
- Assume the church can deal with a safeguarding issue alone
4. When information should be shared
- A child tells you something worrying
- You notice repeated concerns (behaviour, neglect, fear, injuries, etc.)
- Something does not feel right, even if you are unsure why
- Another volunteer shares a concern with you
You are not expected to decide whether abuse has happened — only to pass on concerns.
5. What happens after you share a concern
- The safeguarding lead will record the information
- They will decide whether it should be shared with social care or another agency
- They will work with safeguarding partners if needed
Your role is simply to notice, record, and pass on.
6. The most important thing to remember
It is always better to share a concern and be wrong than not share and risk a child being harmed.
Click here to read more:
www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
Download the report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69fb1c28d0e316a40f269a5b/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2026_a_guide_to_multi_agency_working.pdf