The Diocese of Sheffield’s Diocesan Office, Bishops’ offices, and all our clergy and lay ministers, whether paid or volunteers are committed to serving and interacting well with all those people who are encountered: be that members of the general public, parishioners, those who attend church regularly and those who don’t, parish officers, clergy, lay ministers and employed members of staff. Sometimes actions, or a lack of action, can cause concern, whether we are worried about a vulnerable person who may be at risk, an illegal or illicit activity which might cause someone or the Diocese as a whole harm, or a personal wrong that has been done.
Raising a complaint, grievance or allegation with the Diocese of Sheffield is an opportunity to learn and improve for the future, as well as a chance to put things right for the person or organisation that has made the complaint.
Our aims are to:
- provide a fair complaints procedure which is clear and easy to use;
- make sure everyone who is working as an office holder or employee for the Diocese of Sheffield knows what to do if a complaint is received;
- make sure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way;
- make sure that complaints are, wherever possible, resolved and that relationships are repaired and processes improved;
- to deal with any complaint in a manner that respects both the complainant and those complained against.
Additionally, our parishes as separate legal entities must have their own policies and procedures to address concerns about the conduct of their employees and volunteers. The Parish Resources website has some template policies that can be adapted for your use: Parish Resources: PCC Policies
Safeguarding
If you believe that the matter you are concerned about is a safeguarding matter – that is that you have a concern about a child or vulnerable adult who you believe may be at risk of harm – please see the Diocesan Safeguarding page. If anyone is at immediate risk of harm, then you should contact the police.
What is a complaint?
A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about the service received from any employee or volunteer that is not covered by any other policy or procedure.
Below are the three possible categories of complaint that there may be – each one differs depending on the status of the individual the complaint is about – if they are ordained, employed by the Diocese of Sheffield, or if they are a lay person (licensed or not).
My complaint is about someone who is:
- Ordained.
- Employed by the Diocese of Sheffield Board of Finance.
- A person who is not ordained or employed by the Diocese of Sheffield.
If you are unsure of which of the above is correct, or if the concern relates to numerous issues or people, please contact us for confidential advice. The best person to contact is one of either: the diocesan secretary (diocesansecretary@sheffield.anglican.org), the bishop’s chaplain (chaplain@bishopofsheffield.org.uk), the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham (archdeacon.sheffield.rotherham@sheffield.anglican.org), or the Archdeacon of Doncaster (archdeacon.doncaster@sheffield.anglican.org)
If you have a complaint or allegation against the Bishop of Doncaster, in the first instance this should be reported directly to the Bishop of Sheffield. If you have a complaint about the Bishop of Sheffield this should be reported to the Archbishop of York. Contact details can be found at https://www.archbishopofyork.org/contact-us
Whistleblowing
While the complaints procedure addresses issues of a general nature, the whistleblowing policy should be used to allow a disclosure of information that anyone genuinely and reasonably believes is in the public interest to bypass formal structures and to share their concern with an appropriate person without fear of reprisal.
Diocese of Sheffield Whistleblowing Policy
Anti-harassment
As part of the Dignity in Ministry and at Work policy, we have a clear approach to dealing with harassment.
We have apponted four Anti-harassment advisors. These are currently Rosh Milner, Ranee Townsend, Chris Herbert & Maggie Stubbs.
Anti-Harassment Advisors (AHA) have the responsibility to:
- Remain unbiased, impartial and maintain confidentiality.
- Be available to any member of the clergy, employee, or laity to listen and
discuss the individual’s situation; - Provide clear information, help and guidance about the options available,
the next steps to take and how best to take them; - Signpost the individual to the relevant resources and offer support
throughout the process.
In order to access this advice and support you must complete the form below and we will respond to you quickly.
Summary of Dignity in Ministry and at Work policy
This policy sets out the Diocese of Sheffield’s commitment to creating a culture of dignity, respect and inclusion across all areas of ministry, employment and volunteering. Grounded in Christian values and the principle that every person is created in the image of God, it takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation. The policy applies to clergy, licensed ministers, churchwardens, PCC employees, trustees, volunteers and relevant third parties, and explains how individuals should behave towards one another, the responsibilities of leaders, and the support available when concerns arise. It also recognises the impact of power imbalances, including forms of spiritual abuse, and emphasises the importance of healthy relationships, accountability and mutual respect throughout diocesan life.
The document defines bullying and harassment, provides practical examples of unacceptable behaviour, and outlines both informal and formal routes for reporting concerns. Individuals are encouraged to seek support, raise issues early, and use Anti-Harassment Advisors where appropriate. The policy explains investigation processes, protections for both complainants and those accused, confidentiality arrangements, and the responsibilities of managers, clergy and HR teams in addressing concerns fairly and sensitively. Overall, the policy aims not only to respond to incidents but to foster a church culture where everyone can flourish, contribute safely, and be treated with dignity and respect.
Key Sections in the Policy
- Purpose of the policy
- What bullying and harassment are
- Roles and responsibilities
- How to raise concerns
- How complaints are handled
- Support available
If an incident of bullying or harassment occurs in any circumstances and you feel
threatened or unsafe, you should remove yourself as quickly as possible from the
situation and tell your Oversight Minister, Area Dean or Line Manager immediately. Alternatively, contact our HR Team using the form below. They will take steps to ensure your immediate welfare and safety, and let you know about the options you have for dealing with the situation.