SCHEDULES
C1C2F1SCHEDULE 3 Church Representation Rules
Sch. 3 modified by Cathedrals Measure 1963 (No. 2), s. 12(3) (as substituted (1.6.1992) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 (No. 1), s. 17(1), Sch. 3 para. 10;Instrument dated 27.5.1992 made by Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
Sch. 3 modified (30.6.1999) by 1999 No. 1, ss. 12(4), 38(2)(3) (with ss. 33, 37, 38(5)(6))
Sch. 3 applied by 2001 No. 1, s. 5(7) (as substituted (19.5.2014) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 (No. 1), s. 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.I. 2014/1369, art. 2)
PART 7Disqualification etc.
Safeguarding cases: suspension
69
1
This Rule applies where a member of a PCC or the secretary or treasurer of a PCC or a member of a deanery synod, a diocesan synod or the General Synod—
a
is arrested on suspicion of committing an offence mentioned in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, or
b
is charged with an offence mentioned in that Schedule without being arrested.
2
This Rule also applies where the bishop of a diocese is satisfied, on the basis of information provided by a local authority or the police, that a person of a description given in paragraph (1) presents a significant risk of harm.
3
The bishop may suspend the person from the position in question by giving the person notice in writing; and the notice must specify the bishop's reasons for imposing the suspension.
4
The bishop may at any time revoke the suspension by giving the person notice in writing.
5
For the purposes of paragraph (2), a person presents a significant risk of harm if there is a significant risk that the person may—
a
harm a child or vulnerable adult,
b
cause a child or vulnerable adult to be harmed,
c
put a child or vulnerable adult at risk of harm,
d
attempt to harm a child or vulnerable adult, or
e
incite another person to harm a child or vulnerable adult.
6
Before deciding whether to suspend a person under paragraph (3), or to revoke a suspension made under that paragraph, the bishop must consult—
a
the diocesan safeguarding advisor, and
b
such other persons as the bishop considers appropriate.
7
A suspension in a case within paragraph (1) continues (unless revoked under paragraph (4)) until the earlier of—
a
the expiry of three months beginning with the day on which the notice is given, and
b
the conclusion of the matter.
8
Where a person is suspended in a case within paragraph (1) and the matter is not concluded before the expiry of the three-month period referred to in paragraph (7)(a), a further notice of suspension may be given under paragraph (3); and paragraph (7) and this paragraph apply to the further suspension as they applied to the earlier suspension or suspensions.
9
A suspension in a case within paragraph (2) continues (unless revoked under paragraph (4)) until the expiry of three months beginning with the day on which the notice is given.
10
Where a person is suspended in a case within paragraph (2), a further notice of suspension may be given under paragraph (3); and paragraph (9) and this paragraph apply to the further suspension as they applied to the earlier suspension or suspensions.
11
Having given a notice of suspension or revocation under this Rule, the bishop must give each of the following written notification—
a
the clergy who hold office in the parish,
b
the churchwardens of the parish,
c
the registrar of the diocese,
d
the diocesan safeguarding advisor, and
e
such other persons as the bishop considers appropriate.
12
The registrar must file a notification given under paragraph (11)(c) in the diocesan registry.
13
For the purposes of this Rule, a matter is concluded when—
a
a decision is taken not to charge the person with the offence in question, or
b
where the person is charged with the offence, the proceedings for the offence are concluded.
Sch. 3 substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 1 (with Sch. 3); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2