Safeguarding
The parish of Blackburn St James is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs: Janet Chester . The Diocese of Blackburn’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA): [email protected] who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
Our Parish Safeguarding Handbook is attached below.
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Janet Chester 07714622942 email: [email protected]
We display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the entrance porch and the Church Lounge with relevant contact details/
All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment, received safeguarding training and support.
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: Catherine Smith, [email protected] the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), as necessary.
Finding support
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
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.
Children and young people
Local Authority Children’s Services/Social Care - Lancashire: 0300 123 6720
Out of hours’ emergency Children’s Social Care duty Team - 0300 123 6722
NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
ChildLine - 0800 1111
Adults
Adults Social Care: 0300123 6721
Out of hours’ emergency Adult’s Social Care duty Team - 0845 053 0028:
Age UK - 0300 303 1234
Action on Elder Abuse - 0808 808 8141
Alzheimer’s Society - 0300 222 11 22
24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000247
Blackburn support
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Catherine Smith) - 07711485170 [email protected]
Safeguarding Assistant (Sophie Booth) 07468971759 [email protected]
Safeguarding Trainer (Andrea Richards) 07484073146 [email protected]
Safeguarding Administrator 01254 503088 (Claudia Aspey) [email protected]
Churches Child protection advisory service - 0845 120 4550 (need to say from Blackburn diocese)
For other useful numbers - http://www.blackburn.anglican.org