2026 is the centenary of The Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) CLICK HERE FOR CENTENARY UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Site search

Quicklinks

Last updated 13th February 2026

Human Resources Toolkit

 

The Human Resources Toolkit has been designed to guide you through the different aspects of the employee life-cycle.

If you are in need of any additional advice for a specific situation please contact the HR team directly: HRenquiries@blackburn.anglican.org

We are continuously developing the Human Resources Toolkit so please note that guidance may change overtime to stay in line with UK legislation. Please also let us know if there is anything useful you would like to see on this page.

Recruitment Guidance

This guidance can be used in conjunction with a suite of free downloadable templates to help you through the recruitment process. To access the templates, please contact the HR team.

 

Employment Guidance

As well as the employment guidance above, we have created a variety of employment policy templates for you to download and adapt how you wish. To access the templates, please contact the HR team.

 

Line Management Guidance

 

Volunteering Guidance 

 

Templates

What is currently available? 

Recruitment: 

  • Application form  
  • Confidential Declaration 
  • Contract of Employment request form
  • Example email templates: invite to interview, regretting candidates etc 
  • Interview question bank 
  • Interview questions and scoring form 
  • Job description and person specification  
  • Short-listing matrix
  • Standard and Safer Recruitment reference request forms
  • Volunteering application form 
  • Volunteering agreement form 

Management: 

  • Absence meeting form 
  • DSE Risk Assessment 
  • Employee Handbook 
  • New starter checklist 
  • Probationary progress report 

Parish Policies: 

  • Absence Management 
  • Bereavement Leave 
  • Bullying & Harassment 
  • Capability 
  • Data Retention
  • Disciplinary 
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 
  • Family Leave 
  • Flexible Working 
  • Grievance 
  • Health & Safety 
  • Lone Working 
  • Redundancy 
  • Volunteering 
  • Whistleblowing 

To access any of the templates listed above, simply email: HRenquiries@blackburn.anglican.org

 

Parish HR Online Training Schedule

These online sessions listed below are open to anyone who finds themselves in a line management role and PCC members with legal employer responsibilities. Each session will be 1 hour long, including time for any questions and discussion. 

 

Training Session  

Overview  

Date  

Time(s) 

 Sign up below: 

  

Session 1:  

  

Understanding Office Holders and Employees  

  

  • Defining the terms  
  • The legal differences, rights, and practical implications of Office Holders and Employees 
  • Best management practices to ensure both legal compliance and overall well-being.  
  • Managing employees who also volunteer in church.  

  

  

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 

 

 

 

 

*Additional session added* 

Wednesday 11th March 2026

  

10am, 2pm  

 

 

 

 

 

 

2pm 

 

Session 1:

Closed

 

 

 

 

Additional session link: 

Click 

Here 

  

Session 2:  

  

Utilising the policies in the HR Toolkit and employment law update  

  
  • Getting to know the employee life cycle 
  • The importance of having policies in place 
  • Determining the different roles and responsibilities  
  • Any legislation updates from the Government  

  

Tuesday 14th  

April 2026 

  

10am, 2pm 

 

Session 2: 

Click

Here

  

Session 3:  

  

Managing performance through inductions, probations, appraisals 

  

  

  

  • Understanding how to get the most out of employees.  
  • Exploring the different types of 1-1s and their significance.  

  

  

Tuesday 23rd June 2026 

  

  

10am, 2pm 

 

Session 3:

Click

Here

  

Session 4:  

  

Handling difficult conversations  

  

 

  • Navigating the common issues that occur within absence management, capabilities, disciplinaries and grievances and how to avoid the pitfalls. 
  • Finding the right balance between pastoral care and when and how to escalate issues. 

  

Tuesday 29th September 2026 

  

10am, 2pm 

 

Session 4: 

Click

Here

  

Session 5: 

  

Safer Recruitment 

  

  

  

  • Exploring the CoE Safer Recruitment process 

  

  

Tuesday 10th November 2026 

  

10am, 2pm 

 

Session 5: 

Click 

Here

Parish HR Ebulletin

To subscribe to our brand new HR Ebulletin please click here: Subscribe  

The aim of this service is to keep you up to date with UK Employment Law and to equip you to become best practice employers. Whether you are brand new to employment, or have been employing for years, we hope that you will find the information and advice provided to be useful. 

We recommend this service to anyone in a Line Management, or Operational Management role, and PCC members who are responsible for employment.

The information provided on this page is not intended to substitute for specific legal advice should you need it.

Resources