SAFEGUARDING

Promoting A Safer Church

Safe guarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of everyone. It is central to our mission and ministry as a church and Diocese. 

 

At Christ Church we have a robust and thorough approach to the protection of young people and vulnerable adults. 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. We expect all members of the church and visitors to abide by the requirements of these documents.

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Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church which can be downloaded here. Download

Details of our parish safeguarding officer can be found in our ‘Safeguarding in our Parish – who’s who’ which can be downloaded here Download

We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church this can also be downloaded here Download

All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment, received safeguarding training and support.

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​All church volunteers involved in leading our children's and youth work have been successfully DBS checked

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Reporting a concern

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 Catherine 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 Catherine direct on 07711 485170

or by email to: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org

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

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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).