Safeguarding at The Three Churches

Safeguarding Policy

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.  Click here for this

 

Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church. [This document is attached]

 

Details of our parish safeguarding officer can be found in the attached ‘Safeguarding in our Parish – who’s who. [This document is attached]

 

We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church / parish [This document is attached]

 

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 chaplains, please also contact Sharon Hassall direct.

Sharon’s contact details are:

Telephone: 01254 503070

Mobile: 07711 485170

Email: sharon.hassall@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.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

The Church of England has rolled out a new policy which combines children and adults safeguarding which will be adopted later this year and maybe downloaded here The Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook from the Church of England web site.

 

Alongside this we have a local practises at all three churches.

Please contact the office at St James Lower Darwen – stjameschurch.lowerdarwen@gmail.com or 01254 427020 if you need further information. Please also provide the church office with a copy of your certificate once completed for our records.

Volunteering at The Three Churches 

Everyone volunteering at any of the churches must complete a volunteer application form and receive a Role Description for each role and be aware of the current Safeguarding Policy which is outlined above.  The forms are available from the church office at St James Lower Darwen.

For some volunteers, dependant on the role a Reference Request Form will also be required

Some volunteers will need a current DBS certificate they must also complete a DBS application form.  Ask in the Office for any help or explanation.