An essential part of our commitment to promoting a safer Church is ensuring that everyone who works or volunteers within our churches feels supported in offering their time and is suitable for the role they undertake.

As part of this commitment, we carry out DBS checks to identify any relevant convictions through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). In the Diocese of Derby, DBS checks must be renewed every three years and are processed through our provider, ThirtyOne:Eight.

What is a DBS check?

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a background screening process used in England and Wales to review an individual's criminal record. More information can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about

Who needs a DBS check?

• The Church of England Policy: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 
• Regulated Activity Decision Making Flowchart
• Thirtyone:eight DBS Eligibility Guide

If you are unable to locate the information you require, we recommend speaking directly to ThirtyOne:Eight (ThirtyOne:Eight - Contact Us) as the DBS experts, they will be able to answer your query most effectively.

Who is responsible for monitoring my DBS and training compliance? 

Please use the key below to identify who monitors your DBS and training compliance.

The PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer) is responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am a paid employee, what do I need to know?

Please speak with the person responsible for DBS processing within your parish, typically the Parish Safeguarding Officer or DBS Administrator, who will be able to guide you through the application process.

Once you have received your DBS certificate, should you wish to subscribe to the DBS Update Service, this costs £16 per year and is not covered by the Diocese.

The PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer) is responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am a volunteer, what do I need to know?

Please speak with the person responsible for DBS processing within your parish, typically the Parish Safeguarding Officer or DBS Administrator, who will be able to guide you through the application process.

Once you have received your DBS certificate, we recommend that volunteers register for the DBS Update Service. This must be done within 28 days of the certificate being issued and is free of charge.

Registering for the Update Service can help reduce administration for both the applicant and the organisation. Further information is available on the DBS Update Service – GOV.UK website.

The Diocese are responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am new to post, what do I need to know? 

Please see below step-by-step process. Alongside this you will also be invited to become a member of our Safeguarding Hub, which is the system we use to track DBS and Training compliance. The invite from this will come from admin@mail2.parishdashboards.org.uk.

1. Email dbs@derby.anglican.org asking to start the DBS process, please include which role you are applying for/hold as we need this information.
2. A member of the Diocesan team will send you the relevant confidential declaration form (CDF), Privacy Notice and ID check form.
3. Fill out and sign the confidential declaration form (CDF)
4. Read the Privacy Notice.
5. Fill out the ID check form
6. The ID check form and accompanying ID documents (eg passport, driving licence) need to be verified and signed by a trusted person. Ideally this should be the local Parish Safeguarding Officer. Where this is not possible, it is accepted for Clergy, Churchwardens or PCC Secretaries to sign. Please note, if this isn’t possible, please contact the Diocesan team on dbs@derby.anglican.org to discuss alternative options.
7. Both the CDF and ID check form need to be sent to the Diocesan team for processing. This can be done by email to dbs@derby.anglican.org or via post to Church House, Derby, DE1 3DR.
8. The Diocesan team will initiate the DBS renewal process through our provider Thirtyone:Eight.
9. An email will be sent to the candidate from ThirtyOne:Eight. This includes a link which, when clicked, will ask you to enter recent address history etc.
10. No further action required, await outcome from Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Applications can be tracked here; DBS Tracking Service

The DBS update service cannot be used for home-based roles which most covered under the Diocese are.

The Diocese are responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I need to renew my DBS, what do I need to know? 

• You should have recevied a notification from the safeguarding hub that your DBS is due to expire in 3 months time. 
• A member of the Diocesan team will send you the relevant confidential declaration form (CDF), Privacy Notice and ID check form. 
• Fill out and sign the confidential declaration form (CDF)
• Read the Privacy Notice.
• Fill out the ID check form
• The ID check form and accompanying ID documents (eg passport, driving licence) need to be verified and signed by a trusted person. Ideally this should be the local Parish Safeguarding Officer. Where this is not possible, it is accepted for Clergy, Churchwardens or PCC Secretaries to sign. Please note, if this isn’t possible, please contact the Diocesan team on dbs@derby.anglican.org to discuss alternative options.
• Both the CDF and ID check form need to be sent to the Diocesan team for processing. This can be done by email to dbs@derby.anglican.org or via post to Church House, Derby, DE1 3DR.
• The Diocesan team will initiate the DBS renewal process using our provider Thirtyone:Eight.
• An email will be sent to the candidate from ThirtyOne:Eight. This includes a link which, when clicked, will ask you to enter recent address history etc.
• No further action required, await outcome from Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Applications can be tracked here; DBS Tracking Service 

The DBS update service cannot be used for home-based roles which most covered under the Diocese are.

I have an accessibility issue and/or am struggling with this process. 

We are committed to making our processes accesible to all, please contact a member of the team (Safeguarding Team) who will be happy to discuss this with you. 

Bishop Libby will be visiting all the deaneries during October and November to meet people in the parishes, spending time in both private and open conversations about parish life and our vision for the future.

This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that Bishop Libby has been able to have face-to-face meetings on this scale and it is a great opportunity to hear from the bishop on our vision for the life of the Church, with an time for questions and to give feedback.

(Events marked * are open to all)

(Events marked * are open to all)

We always welcome those wanting to get married in church!

Here are a few things any couple wanting to get married in a Church of England church needs to know.

>> More about getting married in church

>> YourChurchWedding.org

More learning for churchwardens

People from all over the Diocese of Derby have been presented with their Bishop's Badge in celebration of their lay ministry.

Bishop Libby presented the badges at a special service in Derby Cathedral, and online to those joining the service from home.

The badges recognise the distinguished service and dedication of many individuals contributing to the mission of the Church.

A number of awards were made to celebrate mission and innovation whilst others were presented to recognise long service.

>> See photos from the Bishop's Badge service [on Flickr]

Awards for Mission and Innovation

Paul Black - St John the Baptist, Tideswell

Nigel Brown - St. Mary's, Marston on Dove

Angela Cope - St Thomas, Somercotes

Mark Depiedge - St Thomas, Brampton

Sarah Johnson - The BMO of The Journey Community, St Osmund's Parish, Wilmortion

Sara Krohl - St Werburgh, Spondon

Lorraine and Simon Marrow - Buxton Team Parish

Janet Micklewright - All Saints' with St Mary's Sawley (and long service)

Katrina Pargma - The BMO of The Journey Community. St Osmund's Parish, Wilmorton

Nick Roberts - St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Tim Scott - The BMO for The Journey Community in St Osmand's parish, Wilmorton

Leon Shufflebotham - St George the Martyr, New Mills

Susan Silcock - Kirk Langley, Mackworth and Mugginton

Christine Tilbrook - St Giles, Killamarsh

Julie Ann Tilbrook - St Giles, Killamarsh

Awards for Long Service

Meleta Barlow - Charlesworth with Gamesly

Pauline Boon - Buxton Team Parish

Marylyn Bryan - St James Codnor

Sylvia Bunting - St Mary's Cromford

Barbara Buxton - St Osmund Wilmorton

Barrie Clayton - Charlesworth with Gamesley

Maggie Davis - Buxton Team Parish

David Gardner - Wallbrook Epiphany

Lawrence Green - St. Mary in the United Benefice of Calow with Sutton-cum-Duckmanton

Mille Guthrie - St Thomas, Brampton

Sheila Harper - Oakwood

Christine Hill - St Michael and All Angels Brimington

Paul Hunter - Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath

Ena Johnson - Newbold with Dunston

Vicks Keane - St Helen's, Etwall

Robin Lacey - St Michael and All Angels

Evelyn Lowe - Newbold with Durston

Gay Lowe - St John the Baptist, Croxall

Peter Lowe - St John the Baptist, Croxall

Janet Mowman - St Osmund, Wilmorton

Lesley Mundy - St Andrew's, Hadfield

Beryl Murdy - Marlpool

Diane Peet - Stanton In Peak

Douglas Poole - Derby Cathedral

John Roberts - Hadfield

Peter Robinson - St John the Baptist, Tideswell

Helen Smart - St Mark's, Winshill

Hilary Smith - All Saints, Hatton

Arthur Stamper - Clowne

Barbara Stringer -  St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Marion Tauibut - St Alkmund's, Duffield

Paul Taylor - Buxton Team Parish

Ruth Taylor - St Margaret's, Tideswell

Josephine Vallence - St Clement's, Horsley

Calow with Sutton-cum-Duckmanton

If a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, you must dial 999.

Please note that we will respond to all concerns reported in the strictest confidence.

Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm.

To report a concern or request advice regarding a safeguarding issue, please use this form, as it will alert the safeguarding team via our safeguarding email inbox.

We will respond to all contacts as a matter of priority, at the latest on the next working day.

If you are unable to complete this form, you can call 01332 388678 and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.

If your concern escalates and someone is in danger, call 999.

You can also report any concerns to the Police or Social Care.

Derby City
Children  01332 641172
Adults      01332 642855
or out of hours call Careline 01332 956606

Derbyshire (Adults and Children)
Call Derbyshire 01629 533190  
or out of hours 01629532600

The important thing is that your concerns are shared with someone in a position to help.

Dr Alison Brown explains how church schools came about and what they are.

Have you thought about becoming a churchwarden? This video tells five things you need to know in 30 seconds.

More learning for churchwardens

Learning in Faith Bitesize is a new way for you to learn from the Diocese of Derby at home.

These bitesize courses and videos can typically be done in half an hour or less using nothing more than your computer, tablet or phone.

Choose your learning category

Watch the video to find out more about learning in Faith | Bitesize.

Bishop Libby has ordained 15 new deacons and eight new priests in the Petertide ordination services at Derby Cathedral.

>> See photos from the ordinations of deacons (on Flickr)

>> See photos from the ordinations of priests (on Flickr)

>> Meet the new deacons

Those ordained deacon were:

Becky Reeve (Walbrook Epiphany Team Ministry)
Bex Allpress (Swadlincote & Hartshorne, Newhall & Gresley)
Charlotte Wallington (Hathersage with Bamford & Derwent, & Grindleford)
Chris Nowak (Whitfield)
Ellie Launders-Brown (East Scarsdale Team Ministry)
Gill Ball (Newbold)
James Lee (Stanton-by-Dale with Dale Abbey & Risle
Jeff Golding (St Werburgh BMO, Derby)
John Ferguson (St Barnabas, Derby)
Julius Anozie (St Mary, Ilkeston & St John Ilkeston)
Melanie Hartley (Baslow & Eyam)
Mike Fitzsimmons (Barlborough & Clowne)
Nick Parish (St Peter & Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Derby)
Rachel Burdett (Christ Church, Belper with Turnditch)
Sam Dennis (All Saints, Sawley)

and those ordained priest were: 

Alan Winfield (Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby & Stanton-by-Bridge)
Catrin Hubbard (Buxton with Burbage & King Sterndale Team Ministry)
Kate Smedley (St Werburgh, Spondon)
Malcolm Pyatt (Brimington)
Nicola McNally (Tideswell)
Rachael Brooks (Littleover and Blagreaves)
Sandra Till (Alvaston)
Sharon Murphy (Derwent Oak BMO)