Suspension

A Church worker against whom a complaint has been received may be suspended if there is an unacceptable risk of harm to any person if they remain in their present role pending the outcome of the complaint. Their stipend payments continue.

If the risk of harm is immediate, the Professional Standards Committee decides in the first instance whether to recommend suspension, in other cases, the Professional Standards Board has that responsibility.

The Archbishop has authority to suspend clergy on receiving that recommendation. In a parish, the Vicar generally has that authority to suspend a lay person: s45 of the Act.

A Church worker charged with a sexual offence or an offence relating to child pornography faces automatic suspension: s44.