Promoting a Safer Church

As a parish 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.

Our PCC has formally adopted this Safeguarding Policy Statement. 

Our parish safeguarding officers are: Jean Johnson – children and young people – 07778 978 752; Elaine Watts – vulnerable adults – 01254 248398.

We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster on the notice board in the porch of St. Wilfrid’s.

Reporting a concern

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of one of the Parish Safeguarding Officers (contact numbers above) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from Catherine Smith, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), as necessary. 

Catherine's contact details are:

Telephone: 07711 485170

Email: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org

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.

Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).