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Know what to report, and how to respond
A clear process for identifying and reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission. Fully updated for the Commission's revised guidance (December 2025 and January 2026).
Updated for October 2026
The Commission's latest examples, including harm to staff and volunteers such as sexual harassment, bullying and violence at work
Who must report: registered churches, excepted churches, and the annual return declaration
The legal duty to refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which many churches miss
The new mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse
Other bodies you may need to tell at the same time: police (via Report Fraud), insurers, the ICO and the Health and Safety Executive
Key Features
Definition of serious incidents
Categories (safeguarding, financial, reputational, legal, people and workplace)
Step-by-step reporting process
Reporting responsibilities
Practical examples, including what doesn't need reporting
Useful contacts table
Why It Matters
Failure to report can be a breach of trustee duty. When something goes wrong, trustees have little time to work out who to tell, and each organisation has its own rules and deadlines.
Format
Editable Word document | Instant download
Know what to report, and how to respond
A clear process for identifying and reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission. Fully updated for the Commission's revised guidance (December 2025 and January 2026).
Updated for October 2026
The Commission's latest examples, including harm to staff and volunteers such as sexual harassment, bullying and violence at work
Who must report: registered churches, excepted churches, and the annual return declaration
The legal duty to refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which many churches miss
The new mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse
Other bodies you may need to tell at the same time: police (via Report Fraud), insurers, the ICO and the Health and Safety Executive
Key Features
Definition of serious incidents
Categories (safeguarding, financial, reputational, legal, people and workplace)
Step-by-step reporting process
Reporting responsibilities
Practical examples, including what doesn't need reporting
Useful contacts table
Why It Matters
Failure to report can be a breach of trustee duty. When something goes wrong, trustees have little time to work out who to tell, and each organisation has its own rules and deadlines.
Format
Editable Word document | Instant download