Safeguarding: Everyone's responsibilitySafeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is central to our mission and ministry and is integral in the Diocesan Vision, which asks us to consider how to make our church communities healthier.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) Mrs. C. Ritson (01254233839/07904188652) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from Cath Smith, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or Sophie Booth, the Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (ADSO), as necessary Emergency safeguarding out of hours helpline: Thirty One Eight who will offer emergency safeguarding cover via the Helpline (0303 003 111). This helpline is available 5pm to 12am weekdays and at weekends, in addition to holiday periods. The safeguarding helpline is closed between midnight and 7am. Confidentiality Declaration
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team has a secure electronic system for retaining any safeguarding information we receive. Access to the information is restricted to those in the team who are working on the concern and complies to our privacy commitment under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). We may, on occasions, share this information with statutory organisations to comply with our obligations under national legislation. Where it is necessary for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will share information with others involved in safeguarding within the church, but we will inform you of our intention to do so. Further information can be obtained from the Safeguarding team upon request.
The Safeguarding Team can be contacted at Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE on 01254 503088. Individual contact details for the team are given below.
Diocesan Safeguarding OfficerCath Smith M: 07711485170
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding OfficerSophie BoothM: 07468 971759
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Safeguarding AdministratorClaudia AspeyE:safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E:claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
T: 01254 503088
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. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook is displayed in an A4 file in each church.]
Our PCC has formally adopted this Safeguarding Policy and representatives have signed the attached statement .
All those working with children and adults at risk have received safeguarding training and support.
Please find our parish safeguarding policy below. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us or any of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if you have any queries or questions regarding this. You can do so via email, our contact form or the details on the Safeguarding Team information page.
Parish Safeguarding Handbook
Safeguarding Policy
Church of England
Parish of Accrington St. John with Huncoat St. Augustine
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 12.09.23
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
' Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
' Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
' Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse they have suffered.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Mrs. C. Ritson as the Parish Safeguarding Officer - 01254233839/07904188652
Incumbent - Reverend Hugh Scriven - signed - 22.11.23
Churchwardens - vacant
Reporting a safeguarding concern
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) Mrs. C. Ritson (01254233839/07904188652) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from Cath Smith, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or Sophie Booth, the Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (ADSO), as necessary Emergency safeguarding out of hours helpline: Thirty One Eight who will offer emergency safeguarding cover via the Helpline (0303 003 111). This helpline is available 5pm to 12am weekdays and at weekends, in addition to holiday periods. The safeguarding helpline is closed between midnight and 7am. Confidentiality Declaration
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team has a secure electronic system for retaining any safeguarding information we receive. Access to the information is restricted to those in the team who are working on the concern and complies to our privacy commitment under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). We may, on occasions, share this information with statutory organisations to comply with our obligations under national legislation. Where it is necessary for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will share information with others involved in safeguarding within the church, but we will inform you of our intention to do so. Further information can be obtained from the Safeguarding team upon request.
The Safeguarding Team can be contacted at Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE on 01254 503088. Individual contact details for the team are given below.
Diocesan Safeguarding OfficerCath Smith M: 07711485170
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding OfficerSophie BoothM: 07468 971759
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Safeguarding AdministratorClaudia AspeyE:safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E:claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
T: 01254 503088
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. The Parish Safeguarding Handbook is displayed in an A4 file in each church.]
Our PCC has formally adopted this Safeguarding Policy and representatives have signed the attached statement .
All those working with children and adults at risk have received safeguarding training and support.
Please find our parish safeguarding policy below. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us or any of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if you have any queries or questions regarding this. You can do so via email, our contact form or the details on the Safeguarding Team information page.
Parish Safeguarding Handbook
Safeguarding Policy
Church of England
Parish of Accrington St. John with Huncoat St. Augustine
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 12.09.23
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
' Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
' Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
' Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse they have suffered.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Mrs. C. Ritson as the Parish Safeguarding Officer - 01254233839/07904188652
Incumbent - Reverend Hugh Scriven - signed - 22.11.23
Churchwardens - vacant