The Parish of St Silas, Blackburn
Safeguarding Policy
The following Safeguarding Policy was agreed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on 19 March 2025.
Our church is committed to:
• Creating a caring environment and culture for the safety and wellbeing of all.
• Having a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement the policy and procedures.
• Responding promptly to every Safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Safely recruiting, training and supporting all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence, and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensuring that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Displaying in church premises and on the parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listening to and taking seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Taking steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offering support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Offering support to and monitoring of any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensuring that health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Reviewing the implementation of Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Every person who works/serves within the church community in a role/position that requires DBS checks and safeguarding training will be required to abide by this Safeguarding Policy and any additional guidelines established/adopted by this church.

St Silas PCC has appointed Alison Ramsden as the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
Dedicated Safeguarding Email Address: [email protected]
Dedicated Safeguarding Mobile Number: 07593855329

Incumbent: Fr David D’Silva E: [email protected] M: 07507730569
Churchwarden: Matthew Talbot
Date reviewed and updated: 30th March 2026


Next review: March 2027