Your Local Church
with a warm welcome
We are committed to making our local church a safe space for all and ensuring that everyone understands that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
That is why Church of England churches across Lancashire, which collectively make up the Diocese of Blackburn and of which our church is a part, are participating in a comprehensive safeguarding review.
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This survivor-focussed review is known as ‘Past Cases Review 2’ or ‘PCR2’ and is looking at all the information a church might hold about incidents of church related abuse by those who have held positions of responsibility in a church – both recent and non-recent.
The PCR2 work is ‘survivor-focussed’ as it is important the church continues to listen and respond to the voices of survivors of abuse.
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Anyone seeking to come forward with information or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse is encouraged to make direct contact with the Diocese of Blackburn’s Safeguarding team. They can do so on a dedicated phone line or email: 01254 503093 and pcr2@blackburn.anglican.org
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Recognising this may not feel safe for those with a direct experience of abuse from within the Church, if you would prefer to speak to someone else in the first instance contact: The Police by dialling 101 or online at www.lancashire.police.uk/contact-us; Lancashire Victim Services on 0300 323 0085 or online at www.lancashirevictimservices.org/contact or contact the NSPCC on 0800 80 20 20.
You will also find a link to the dedicated PCR2 website page at www.blackburn.anglican.org with a host of PCR2 resources, information, FAQs and more.
Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a
Safer Church.
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Details of our parish safeguarding officer can be found in the attached ‘Safeguarding in our Parish
– who’s who.
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We have also displayed the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church.
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All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment, received
safeguarding training and support.
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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 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 chaplains,
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
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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.
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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).
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