Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Sue Taylor and can be contacted on
07891 696280 or email safeguarding@sgp.org.uk
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
St George’s 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
A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here: cofe-policy-statement.pdf (churchofengland.org)
We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the entrance hall to Church along with relevant phone numbers and contact details.
All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training.
REPORTING A CONCERN
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE IS AT RISK OF IMMEDIATE HARM
PLEASE CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES ON 999
Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) in the first instance.
Sue Taylor - 07891 696280 or email safeguarding@sgp.org.uk
The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary.
Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team
Safeguarding Team Contact Details
safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 01254 503088
Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth Sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org or 07468971759
DSA, Catherine Smith, Catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org or 07711485170
Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards Andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org or 07484073146
Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey Claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org or 01254 503088
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE
Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation's Safeguarding team.
Finding support
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. Contact Safe Spaces.
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).
Safeguarding Policy Statement
Every year the Trustees will review and agree the Parish Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statement taking into consideration:
SAFEGUARDING REPRESENTATIVES
The Trustees will appoint a minimum of one Safeguarding Representative who will be responsible on behalf of the incumbent and Trustees for implementing the Diocesan policy in respect of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Safeguarding Representative agrees to undertake the key responsibilities of the role as outlined in the Diocesan Safeguarding Guide.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Sue Taylor.
PAID WORKERS AND/OR VOLUNTEERS
All those who undertake work in a regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable adults in the parish on a voluntary or paid basis will be required to:
Complete a Confidential Self Declaration Form
To complete the necessary vetting application: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The church will seek to ensure that a DBS check is only requested after a risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position (paid or voluntary) concerned. Using the appropriate risk assessment procedures, the following posts have been identified as requiring a DBS check:
Youth Leader/Helper
Kids Leader/Helper
Any ministry where vulnerable adults may attend
Social action ministries
Students
All staff
All Confidential Self Declarations Forms, references and results of DBS checks will be held securely by the church. Declarations and DBS checks must be undertaken every five years, or sooner if the individual moves to a new post, (unless the application was obtained in the previous six months and the nature of the work is similar).
Any person refusing such checks will not be allowed to work with or have unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults at the church.
All those who work with children and/or vulnerable adults on a regular basis will be made aware of and should familiarise themselves with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, and will be encouraged to attend Diocesan Safeguarding training every three years.
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, GROUPS AND EVENTS
The following children’s, young person’s and mixed age activities have been identified as specific events and activities that fall under the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedures:
Children (Sunday mornings)
Youth (Sunday mornings and evenings)
All children and young people wishing to attend the above activities will need to be registered and consent must be granted by their parents/carers before they take part.
Children who wish to take part in additional events such as church outings, holidays or sleepovers will not be allowed to participate in such activities unless the leaders of such event(s) receive a completed consent form from the parents or guardians of the child concerned, even if the parent or guardian accompanies the child on any such trip or activity. A new form must be completed for each separate activity.
Consideration will be given at all times for the health, safety and welfare of each child and young person, including supervision ratios, transport, first aid, premises and children with special needs.
VULNERABLE ADULTS ACTIVITIES, GROUPS AND EVENTS
Consideration will be given at all times for the health, safety and welfare of the vulnerable adult, including transport, first aid, premises and adults with special needs.
There are currently no specific groups, events and activities that fall under the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedures for vulnerable adults.
HIRE OF CHURCH PREMISES
All those who book or use the church building on a regular basis shall be required to sign a copy of the parish booking agreement and a declaration that they have read and understand the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, or that they agree to abide by their own organisation’s safeguarding procedures.
ADDITIONAL LINKS TO RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:
Any questions you have regarding this document please contact us using the button below
