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 Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.
Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church (see below).
Details of our parish safeguarding officer can be found below in ‘Safeguarding in our Parish – who’s who.’
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 Sharon Hassall, 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 clergy, please also contact Catherine Smith direct.
Catherine's contact details are:
Telephone: 01254 503070
Mobile: 07711 485170
Email: [email protected]
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2Q
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
https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/diocesan-national-policies-and-guidance
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).
Safeguarding in our Parish – who’s who?
The Incumbent: Rev Stef Dnistrianskyj 07769 462502
The Churchwardens: Pauline Chapman, Jonathan Ormesher
The Parish Safeguarding Officers: Ann Dnistrianskyj 07769 462502 and Sue Crawford 01257 453171
Hall Manager and Bookings Anne Sharples 01257 424105
The Parish of St James the Great, Wrightington with Heskin
SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was reviewed and affirmed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 18th October 2022 and in accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take 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.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor 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.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Susan Crawford as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
Incumbent Rev. Stefan Dnistrianskyj
Churchwardens Pauline Chapman, Jonathan Ormesher
Date: 18 Oct 2022