Safeguarding
Promoting a Safer Church
As a benefice 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 benefice safeguarding officers are:
Mrs Alison Semple (St Oswald’s & St Mary’s) 07484 756755
Mrs Kate Bethell (St John’s) 07703 770987
We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within each of our churches.
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 chaplains, please also contact Sharon Hassall direct.
Sharon'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
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).
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
Adults
Adults Social Care: 0300123 6721
Out of hours’ emergency Adult’s Social Care duty Team - 0845 053 0028:
Age UK - 0300 303 1234
Blackburn support
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Sharon Hassall) - 07711 485170
Safeguarding Assistant (Julie Grimshaw) 01254 503088
Churches Child protection advisory service - 0845 120 4550 (need to say from Blackburn diocese)
For other useful numbers - http://www.blackburn.anglican.org
Safeguarding in our Benefice – who’s who?
The Vicar
The Reverend Robin Figg 01524 732946
The churchwardens
Sue Hopwood (St Oswald’s, Warton) 01524 720160
Sheila Barnes (St Mary’s, Borwick) 01524 720067
Mrs Sally-Ann Rothwell (St John’s, Yealand) 01524 734585
Mrs Clare Hunter (St John’s, Yealand)
The Benefice Safeguarding Officers
Mrs Alison Semple (St Oswald’s & St Mary’s) 07484 756755
Mrs Kate Bethell (St John’s) 07703 770987
Ministry Team
Mrs Annette MacKenzie (Reader) 01524 736944
Mrs Janet Thompson (Reader) 01524 823503
Who co-ordinates work in your church related to children, young people, adults at risk (e.g. Sunday School, youth club, visiting team, transport)?
Vanessa Alpin (St Oswald’s Junior Church)
Emma Brantley-Tziros (Tweens & Teens)
Linda Gardner (Tweens & Teens)
Who will you talk to if you observe or are told about Safeguarding concerns?
Sharon Hassall, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer 07711 485170