Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

As a Parish we have adopted the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, incorporating the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church.

The Contact Number for our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Hazel Parker, is as follows:
Mobile: 07789 276719

We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our Parish.

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 Cath Smith, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), as necessary.
Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation's Safeguarding team. If the concern involves one of their chaplains, please also contact Cath Smith direct.
Cath's contact details are:

Mobile: 07711 485170
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE.

Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be found here:
Diocesan Safeguarding Team Contacts
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

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:
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.
Hourglass Helpline: 0 808 808 8141 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you know someone who is elderly and experiencing abuse.