Safeguarding: Everyone's responsibility
Safeguarding 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.
It is everyone's responsibility.
The Church of England, in the policy document 'Promoting a Safer Church' set out the following principles for its safeguarding work:
- 1 - Promoting a safer environment and culture. This means that we respect all children, young people and adults, and are committed to their care and nurture, the provision of respectful pastoral ministry and establishing safer, caring communities which provide an environment of love where there is informed vigilance as to the risk of harm.
- 2 - We shall select and train carefully all those with any responsibility related to children or adults within the Church, in line with safer recruitment principles.
- 3 - We shall respond promptly to every concern raised which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed or be at risk of harm. We will cooperate with the statutory authorities in their safeguarding work.
- 4 - We shall endeavour to work with anyone who is suffering or who has suffered abuse or harm, developing with them and others appropriate support and care.
- 5 - We shall challenge any abuse in our Church communities, and care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse.
- 6 - We shall endeavour to offer pastoral care and support, including managed oversight and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community who may present a risk to a child, young person or adult.
The parish of Christ Church, Chatburn is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. Our Safeguarding page and links are aimed to guide us all on the part that we need to play, to ensure the church is a safe environment, where concerns are responded to and people can flourish.
We follow the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, information can be found through this link guidance and policies and we have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(PSO) Vikki Hall.
On this page you will also find links to our and useful regarding safeguarding within the Church.
The Diocese of Blackburn's safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) who advise the PSOs.
If you are concerned a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DST. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Social Services.
- 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.