Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Anne Sinar and can be contacted on 07769772516

Promoting a Safer Church

St Thomas’ Church 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. Our PCC has formally adopted this and signed the Safeguarding Policy Statement Promoting a Safer Church. Our policy can be downloaded here

A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here: cofe-policystatement.pdf (churchofengland.org)

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the church lounge and Parish Centre 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(s) (PSO) in the first instance.

Anne Sinar: 07769772516

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

Email: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org

Tel: 01254 503088

Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth

Email: Sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org Tel: 07468971759

DSA, Catherine Smith

Email: Catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org Tel: 07711485170

Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards

Email: Andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org Tel: 07484073146

Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey

Email: Claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org Tel: 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

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).

Reporting a concern

As a parish/church 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.

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. Our PSO's for St Thomas’ Blackpool are as follows:
Anne Sinar
Parish Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 01253 594843/ 07769772516

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
Catherine Smith
Diocesan Safeguarding Office
Telephone: 01254 503070
Mobile: 07711 485170
Email: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn, BB1
2Q

In an emergency situation, contact Social Services or the police directly.
Children’s Social Services: 01253 477299
Police: 0845 1253545