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 Bishops' Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. 

Our PCC has formally adopted our parish's Safeguarding policy and this is reviewed annually. A copy of the policy can be accessed on this website under our Parish Policies section.

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is on the notice board to the right as you enter the Church and it has relevant numbers and contact details. 

We have two designated safeguarding leads in the parish; they are Vicky Brown and Revd. Canon Brian McConkey. They can be contacted by phone on 01254 878352 or by email. To email Vicky click here and to email Brian click here.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults is defined as:

 Protecting them from maltreatment; preventing the impairment of their health or development; ensuring that they are provided with safe and effective care; and taking action to enable them to have the best outcomes. 

• health and safety
• the use of reasonable force
• meeting the needs of people with medical conditions
• providing first aid
• educational visits
• internet and online safety

Reporting a concern

If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call the emergency service on 999. 

Any safeguarding concerns in respect of this parish should be brought to the attention of our safeguarding leads (contact details above), in the first instance who can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. 

Safeguarding Team Contact Details

safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org

Tel: 01254 503088

Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth 

Sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org 07468971759

DSA, Catherine Smith, 

Catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org 07711485170

Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards 

Andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org 07484073146

Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey

Claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org 01254 503088

Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

A concern form can be accessed here

The following are links to the Diocesan Safeguarding team and other support agencies 

Diocesan safeguarding webpages and a document produced by the Diocese with Important contact numbers in respect of Safeguarding concerns.

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the church directly. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24 hour basis or through specialist helplines and services. 

Thirty One: Eight: 0303 003 1111 (out of hours and weekend safeguarding advice)

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)