Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Collette Hudson and can be contacted on 07598 845892 or at [email protected]
Promoting a Safer Church
Baxenden St John with Accrington St Paul (JohnPaul Parish) 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
A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here: cofe-policy-statement.pdf (churchofengland.org)
We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is on the lounge notice board at St John's and in the entrance hall at St Paul's along with relevant phone numbers and contact details.
All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training.
Reporting a concern
If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance.

Collette Hudson on 07598 845892 or at [email protected]

The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary.
Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team
Safeguarding Team Contact Details
[email protected]
Tel: 01254 503088
DSA, Catherine Smith,
[email protected] 07711485170

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:
For emergency safeguarding advice, from June 1, 2021 when the DSO is unavailable (due to being on holiday or other absence) you are now able to receive emergency safeguarding cover via thirtyone:eight on their helpline 0303 003 1111.
This helpline is available 5pm to midnight weekdays and at weekends, in addition to holiday periods. The safeguarding helpline is not available between midnight and 7am.

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).

Diocese Information