People (HR)

The Diocese's People (HR) team are here to provide expert advice and support to parishes regarding recruitment, employment, and the management of staff and volunteers.

To assist you, they have created a number of guidance packs and document templates which have been designed to help guide parishes through the process of recruitment and employment. 

On this page, we cover:

Recruitment and employment
Policies and procedures
Other useful links

Recruitment and employment

The following guides aim to provide parishes with the information and tools to enable them to meet their legal responsibilities when recruiting and employing someone. 

They should all be read in conjunction with the Church of England’s Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance, which outlines the Church’s commitment to promoting a safe environment and culture across all Church bodies. 

Section 1: Guide to Recruitment

A step-by-step guide explaining how to plan and carry out a safe, fair and effective recruitment process.

Section 1: Guide to Recruitment

All the templates mentioned in this can be found below

• Appendix R1- Template Job Description
• Appendix R2 - Template CYP Job Description
• Appendix R3 - Sample Advert
• Appendix R4 - Sample CYP Advert
• Appendix R5 - Template Application Form
• Appendix R6 -Template Equal Opportunities Policy
• Appendix R7 -Religious Discrimination Legislation
• Appendix R8 - Template Diocese Ethos and Values Statement
• Appendix R9 -Template Shortlisting Table
• Appendix R10 - Template Invite to Interview Letter
• Appendix R11 - Template Not Shortlisted Letter
• Appendix R12- Example Competency Interview Questions
• Appendix R13- Template Interview Assessment Form
• Appendix R14 - Template Regret After Interview Letter

Section 2: Guide to Employing People

How to effectively manage your onboarding process for new employees, including your legal responsibilities, safer recruitment, DBS and right to work checks, references, employee status, contracts, pay, tax, statutory entitlements and probationary periods.

Section 2:    Guide to Employing People

All the templates mentioned in this guide can be found below:

• Appendix E1- Template Offer Letter
• Appendix E2 -Template Reference Consent Form
• Appendix E3 -Template Reference Request Letter
• Appendix E4- Template Statement of Terms of Employment
• Appendix E5 - Safer Recruitment & Onboarding Checklist
• Appendix E6- Template Health Declaration Form
• Appendix E7 - Template Personal Details Form
• Appendix E8 -Template Contract Variation Letter
• Appendix E9 - Template Contract for Services Agreement
• Appendix E10- Template Staff Handbook
• Appendix E11 - Template Response to Resignation Letter
• Appendix E12 - New Employee Form 

Section 3: Guide to Employing Young People, Internships and Work Experience

Explore the different ways of introducing young people to work experience and employment, including how to ensure you meet your legal obligations for under 18’s.

Section 3: Guide to Employing Young People, Internships and Work Experience

Section 4: Guide to Recruiting Volunteers

Understand the importance of volunteering and how to effectively manage these resources, maintain positive working relationships and understand your legal responsibilities.

Section 4: Guide to Recruiting Volunteers

• Appendix V1 -Volunteer Application Form-General
• Appendix V2 -Volunteer Application Form-CYP
• Appendix V3 -Template Volunteer Role Description
• Appendix V4-Template Volunteer Agreement
• Appendix V5 -Ending Volunteer Agreement Letter

Section 5: Guide to Pensions & Auto Enrolment

Understand the eligibility criteria for ‘auto enrolment’ and what you need to do as an employer to ensure your legal duties are met.

Section 5: Guide to Pensions & Auto Enrolment

Section 6: Guide to Redundancy (available on request)

A step-by-step guide to managing a fair redundancy process, setting out the various stages and legal protocols that should be followed, including: reasons for redundancy; selection criteria; consultation process; exploring alternatives to redundancy; fair dismissals; notice periods and statutory payments.

NB: Please seek advice from the Diocesan HR Advisor before initiating any redundancy process

While great care has been taken in creating the documents, they are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. The Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Policies and procedures

In this section, you will find a template Staff Handbook and template policies and procedures, which you can use to tailor your own set of documents, depending on your individual needs.

NB: These policies may be subject to change from time to time, and you should always check on the Gov.UK or ACAS website for the most current legislation and best practice. This is particularly relevant with ongoing changes to the Employment Rights Bill

Template Staff Handbook
Policies and Procedures

Other useful links

•    ACAS
•    Parish Resources: PAYE
•    Gov.UK www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-status-and-employment-rights
•    UCAN – UK church administrators’ network www.churchadministrators.net

Please do not hesitate to contact the team directly if you have more detailed questions, or if you feel more personalised guidance would be useful.

Key Contacts