Safeguarding
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. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook can be downloaded below.
Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church.
Our parish safeguarding officer is Karen Swindlehurst: Tel - 01524 812417
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.
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 our chaplains, please also contact Cath Smith direct.
M: 07711485170
Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be found here:
https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/diocesan-safeguarding-team
https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/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.
St Saviour, Aughton - Important phone numbers
Church child welfare – Karen Swindlehurst 07894173315.
Police (all non-emergency enquiries)
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 OfficerCath SmithM: 07711485170
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding OfficerSophie BoothM: 07468 971759
Churches Child protection advisory service - 0845 120 4550 (need to say from Blackburn diocese)
For other useful numbers - http://www.blackburn.anglican.org