Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

Euxton Parish Church is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community.  We have adopted the Safeguarding Policy and Supporting Documents produced by the Diocese of Blackburn which can be found at https://www.blackburn.anglican.org under Safeguarding on the top menu bar.

If you have a Safeguarding Concern or need any additional information then you should speak to either the vicar, Rev Jo Smith or the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Claire Holt  
 

• 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.  You can access the Parish Safeguarding Handbook from the link here.
• Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church.
• If you have a Safeguarding Concern or need any additional information then you should speak to or contact either the vicar, Rev Jo Smith, or the Parish Safeguarding Officer Mrs Claire Holt.  You can contact our parish safeguarding officer Mrs Claire Holt  on euxton.safeguard@gmail.com/07867 373403 or the vicar, Rev Jo Smith, on euxton.vicar@gmail.com / 01257 262102
• We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church.
•  It is our policy that all those we appoint to work with children and adults at risk undergo safer recruitment and receive safeguarding training and support.  Safeguarding training can be booked from Blackburn Diocese 

Reporting a concern

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer (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 church officers, please also contact Catherine Smith direct. 

Catherine’s contact details are: 
Telephone: 01254 503070
Mobile: 07711 485170
Email: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be found here:
www.blackburn.anglican.org/diocesan-safeguarding-team
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).