Safeguarding in Jersey’s Anglican Church: The Improvements of 2022
Concern: A parishioner, Mrs. Le Feuvre, notices that a youth volunteer, Tom, has been spending extended one-on-one time with a vulnerable teenager, Ellie, in unsupervised settings. She feels uneasy but isn’t sure what to do.
It is instructive to see how this plays out in 2012 and the 2022 Jersey Canons. Canons are the formal rules or laws established by the Church of England to govern the Church’s doctrine, discipline, and administration. Jersey has its own, separate from those in England.
Back in 2012, the new Jersey Canons, approved by Order in Council, were the first comprehensive revision since 1623. They modernised language, clarified governance structures, and reaffirmed Jersey’s ecclesiastical independence. However, they did not explicitly incorporate the Church of England’s 2014 decision to allow the consecration of women as bishops.
Concern: A parishioner, Mrs. Le Feuvre, notices that a youth volunteer, Tom, has been spending extended one-on-one time with a vulnerable teenager, Ellie, in unsupervised settings. She feels uneasy but isn’t sure what to do.
It is instructive to see how this plays out in 2012 and the 2022 Jersey Canons. Canons are the formal rules or laws established by the Church of England to govern the Church’s doctrine, discipline, and administration. Jersey has its own, separate from those in England.
Back in 2012, the new Jersey Canons, approved by Order in Council, were the first comprehensive revision since 1623. They modernised language, clarified governance structures, and reaffirmed Jersey’s ecclesiastical independence. However, they did not explicitly incorporate the Church of England’s 2014 decision to allow the consecration of women as bishops.
They also contain no explicit reference to safeguarding, vulnerable adults, or child protection, although that did reflect the English Canon law of the time, where there was guidance not explicit law. The absence of safeguarding language meant that Jersey’s church governance lacked formal accountability mechanisms for handling abuse or misconduct.
By contrast, the 2022 revision, under the supervision of Mike Keirle as the new Dean of Jersey, show how important safeguarding had become as part of its DNA. This was a major change.
So let’s go back to our imaginary scenario, which is instructive in showing how matters may have been mishandled back then and how they should be handled now.
Under the 2012 Canons
Setting: The vestry after Sunday service. The Rector, Reverend Martin, is tidying up communion vessels.
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Reverend Martin, I don’t want to cause trouble, but I’ve seen Tom with Ellie quite a lot. Alone. She’s vulnerable, you know. It doesn’t feel right.”
Reverend Martin (pausing): “Tom’s a good lad. He’s been helping with the youth group for years. I’ll have a quiet word with him.”
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Shouldn’t someone… record it? Or check with the diocese?”
Reverend Martin (gently): “We handle things locally here. No need to escalate. I’ll keep an eye on it.”
Outcome:
No written record.
No referral to safeguarding officer (none formally designated).
Tom is informally cautioned but continues volunteering.
Ellie’s vulnerability is not assessed or supported.
Mrs. Le Feuvre feels unheard and uncertain.
Under the 2022 Canons
Setting: Same vestry, ten years later. The Rector, Rev. Sophie Renouf, is reviewing safeguarding training logs.
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Rev. Sophie, I’ve noticed Tom spending a lot of time alone with Ellie. She’s vulnerable. I’m worried.”
Rev. Sophie (immediately attentive): “Thank you for telling me. That’s exactly the kind of concern we need to log. I’ll speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer today and make a referral to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.”
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Will Ellie be okay?”
Rev. Sophie: “She’ll be offered support, and Tom will be temporarily stood down while we assess the situation. You did the right thing.”
Outcome:
Concern logged and referred.
Tom’s role paused pending review.
Ellie receives pastoral and safeguarding support.
Parish Safeguarding Officer coordinates with Salisbury’s DSA.
Mrs. Le Feuvre is thanked and kept informed.
Contrast in Culture and Procedure
By contrast, the 2022 revision, under the supervision of Mike Keirle as the new Dean of Jersey, show how important safeguarding had become as part of its DNA. This was a major change.
Under the 2012 Canons
Setting: The vestry after Sunday service. The Rector, Reverend Martin, is tidying up communion vessels.
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Reverend Martin, I don’t want to cause trouble, but I’ve seen Tom with Ellie quite a lot. Alone. She’s vulnerable, you know. It doesn’t feel right.”
Reverend Martin (pausing): “Tom’s a good lad. He’s been helping with the youth group for years. I’ll have a quiet word with him.”
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Shouldn’t someone… record it? Or check with the diocese?”
Reverend Martin (gently): “We handle things locally here. No need to escalate. I’ll keep an eye on it.”
Outcome:
No written record.
No referral to safeguarding officer (none formally designated).
Tom is informally cautioned but continues volunteering.
Ellie’s vulnerability is not assessed or supported.
Mrs. Le Feuvre feels unheard and uncertain.
Under the 2022 Canons
Setting: Same vestry, ten years later. The Rector, Rev. Sophie Renouf, is reviewing safeguarding training logs.
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Rev. Sophie, I’ve noticed Tom spending a lot of time alone with Ellie. She’s vulnerable. I’m worried.”
Rev. Sophie (immediately attentive): “Thank you for telling me. That’s exactly the kind of concern we need to log. I’ll speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer today and make a referral to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.”
Mrs. Le Feuvre: “Will Ellie be okay?”
Rev. Sophie: “She’ll be offered support, and Tom will be temporarily stood down while we assess the situation. You did the right thing.”
Outcome:
Concern logged and referred.
Tom’s role paused pending review.
Ellie receives pastoral and safeguarding support.
Parish Safeguarding Officer coordinates with Salisbury’s DSA.
Mrs. Le Feuvre is thanked and kept informed.
Contrast in Culture and Procedure
Canonical Safeguarding Provisions in the 2022 Jersey Canons
🔹 Canon C 30 – Of Safeguarding
This canon mirrors the Church of England’s national safeguarding canon and was formally adopted into Jersey’s ecclesiastical law.
It places a duty on all clergy and church officers to have “due regard” to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops.
It applies to children, young people, and vulnerable adults, ensuring that safeguarding is not discretionary but a legal obligation.
🔹 Canon C 8 – Of the
Licensing of Ministers
Includes safeguarding checks as part of the licensing
process for clergy and lay ministers.
Requires Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and safeguarding training before ministry can be authorised.
Churchwardens and other lay officers must comply with safeguarding requirements and may be removed from office if they fail to do so.
Emphasises the church’s duty to provide safe and supportive environments, especially for those who are vulnerable or have experienced harm.
- Close the gaps exposed during the Korris safeguarding controversy.
- Ensure that safeguarding is not just policy but canon law, enforceable within Jersey’s ecclesiastical court.
- Reflect a cultural shift from informal pastoral discretion to structured, survivor-centred accountability.
In addition, there is mandatory regular safeguarding training for clergy and lay ministers.
You can view the full text of the 2022 Canons on the Jersey Law website
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