Safeguarding
‘Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of every one of us. It is central to our mission and ministry and is integral in the Diocesan Vision which asks us to consider how to make our church communities healthier’ (From Blackburn Diocesan website)
We are committed to promoting the welfare and safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We believe that we have a duty to ensure that everyone who enters our church feels that they are in a place of safety. We pride ourselves on the non-prejudice, non-discriminatory and friendly environment we have created. We work together to recognise any potential vulnerability and act accordingly.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Jill Jones
Jill can be contacted on 0779484505 or by email at jilljones1968@hotmail.co.uk
For further information please see:
Promoting a Safer Church
As a church we have adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, incorporating the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.
Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church.
Details of our parish safeguarding officer can be found above and on our contact page.
We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church.
All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment, received safeguarding training and support.
If you have immediate concerns for someone’s safety, contact the police on 999 and Lancashire County Council Health and Social Care on 0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722
Reporting a Concern
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), as necessary.
General contact:
Email: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Email: safeguarding.training@blackburn.anglican.org
Telephone: 01254 503088
Out of hours Safeguarding contact Thirtyone:Eight info@thirtyoneeight.org Telephone: 03030031111
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Cath Smith
Telephone: 07711 485170
Email: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Sophie Booth
Telephone: 07468 971759
Email: sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Safeguarding Trainer: Andrea Richards
Telephone: 07484 073146
Email: andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org
Safeguarding Administrator: Claudia Aspey
Telephone:01254 503088
Email: claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be found here:
Finding Support
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
Lancashire County Council Health and Social Care www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care Tel: 0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline:
0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
Child-line:
0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
National Domestic Violence Helpline:
0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Samaritans Helpline:
116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline:
080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).