Our Benefice of Burnley St Peter & St Stephen is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of Blackburn’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Catherine Smith on 07711485170 If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services."
Reporting a concern
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) Barbara Hastie [email protected]) 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.
Cath’s contact details are:
DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISER: CATH SMITH
Telephone: 01254 503088
Mobile: 07711485170
Email: [email protected]
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2Q
For emergency safeguarding advice, from June 1, 2021 when the DSA is unavailable (due to being on holiday or other absence) you are now able to receive emergency safeguarding cover via thirtyone:eight* on their helpline 0303 003 1111.
This helpline is available 5pm to midnight weekdays and at weekends, in addition to holiday periods. The safeguarding helpline is not available between midnight and 7am.
*thirtyone:eight is an independent Christian charity which helps individuals, organisations, charities, faith and community groups to protect vulnerable people from abuse.
Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be found here:
https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/diocesan-safeguarding...
https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/reporting-a...
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.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

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