St Andrew’s is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have a Safeguarding Policy Statement – Promoting a Safer Church (May 2023).
More details are provided in our Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy (March 2023).
We also display the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ poster prominently on the Church and Hall noticeboards.
All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training and support in accordance with the Code of Safer Working Practice.
Reporting a concern
If you have a safeguarding concern please tell our Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), Judith Wyllie at safeguarding@longtonstandrew.org.
Safeguarding Risk Assessment
If you are holding any activity associated with the Church involving children, young people or vunerable adults you must complete a Safeguarding Risk Assessment form. Please then send it to our PSO at safeguarding@longtonstandrew.org. You should do this well in advance to ensure you receive sign off at least 2 weeks prior to the event. You must then ensure all safeguarding requirements are met. Additionally, you must ensure all helpers, parents and carers are fully aware of the requirements.
Safeguarding Risk Assessment Form (in Word for downloading and completing electronically)
Safeguarding Risk Assessment Form (as a PDF for printing out and completing manually)
To help you complete the form we provide below an example with a list of typical risks. These risks are by no means exhaustive. Nor may all of them apply to all events with children and vulnerable adults. Please use it as a guide and amend as appropriate when completing your own form.
Example Form with a Sample List of Risks (as PDF)
Undertaking Activities in Your Own Home and Lone Working
You should follow this additional safeguarding guidance when undertaking activities associated with the Church in your own home and/or lone working.
Additional support
The Diocese of Blackburn’s safeguarding pages contain important links and information. These include contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA), Catherine Smith and her team, who advise our PSO.
Additionally, the Parish Handbook contains all relevant safeguarding information.
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm and have been unable to contact our PSO please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
Other Agencies
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the PSO or Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Therefore please find below a list of other agencies that are available to assist 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.
Refuge: 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).