Safeguarding of Children & Adults in the Church

‘Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of every one of us.  It is central to our mission and ministry and is integral in the Blackburn Diocesan Vision which asks us to consider how to make our church communities healthier’ (From Blackburn Diocesan website).

The United Benefice of Croston, Bretherton & Mawdesley w Bispham is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults and all 3 of our Parochial Church Councils (PCC’s) have adopted, at their December 2022 meetings, the Diocese of Blackburn’s Safeguarding policies (see links below) and our leaders are DBS checked and complete appropriate safeguarding training.

https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/storage/general-files/shares/Safeguarding/Diocesan/cofe-policy-statement.pdf

https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf

Reporting a concern:
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of our local Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) who can be contacted vi the following links.

https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/diocesan-safeguarding-team

https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/reporting-a-safeguarding-concern

Additional Support:
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.  Here are details for other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
Phone if you are worried about a child.

Child-line0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.

National Domestic Violence Helpline0808 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 Helpline080 8808 8141
(free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).