St Silas Church, Blackburn serves the Billinge, Beardwood, Revidge and Wensley Fold area. Our church is an iconic Grade II* building located in the northwest of Blackburn town centre with a diverse community of British and non-British heritage living alongside each other. Our worship ranges from the traditional Book of Common Prayer, Common Worship and informal worship services. We aim to provide a safe place where people are welcomed and valued.
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 Paul Payton (Interim Vicar) E: [email protected] M: 07866696891
Churchwardens: Joe Swinhoe and Matthew Talbot
Date reviewed and updated: 1 August 2025
Next review: March 2026