Last updated 12th December 2024
The Safeguarding Team can be contacted at Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE on 01254 503088. Individual contact details for the team are given below.
Please note that all messages left for the team, by email, mobile or landline, are checked during normal office hours only. Messages are not routinely checked during evenings or weekends.
Requests for urgent assistance should be directed to the statutory authorities in Lancashire.
For safeguarding advice in the evening, weekend and on bank holidays or when advised by the diocesan safeguarding team, please contact Thirtyone:eight who will respond to your concerns. They can be contacted on 0303 003 1111. Please note Thirtyone:eight is not for emergencies it is for any advice that is needed in relation to safeguarding and it is to ensure you get a prompt response to safeguarding queries when the diocesan safeguarding advisers/officers are not available.
In an Emergency
If you or someone is at risk of immediate harm, please call 999 and ask for the emergency service that you require.
To Report a Concern to Statutory Social Care Services
Please use the link below to contact the social care services in your area. Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership - Report a Concern
Any safeguarding concern that you have, or action you take should always be shared with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. If you contact 31:8 they will share this with the safeguarding team. Otherwise contact the team directly on safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
This helpline is available 5pm to midnight weekdays and at weekends, in addition to holiday periods. The safeguarding helpline is not available between midnight and 7am.
*Thirtyone:eight is an independent Christian charity which helps individuals, organisations, charities, faith and community groups to protect vulnerable people from abuse.
Catherine Smith
M: 07711 485170
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Sophie Booth
M: 07468 971759
E: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E: sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Andrea Richards
M: 07484 073146
E: safeguarding.training@blackburn.anglican.org
E: andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org
Claudia Aspey
E:safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
E:claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
T: 01254 503088
The purpose of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel is to provide advice, scrutiny and, where necessary, challenge to the Diocesan Bishop, the Diocese and Blackburn Cathedral regarding the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
The panel aims to ensure that both the current statutory and relevant House of Bishops’ practice guidance is adhered to by the Bishop and by all diocesan and cathedral staff and office holders.
Safe Spaces, the free national support service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse, will increase operational hours under a newly appointed independent provider, First Light, who take over the service from Monday 9th January.
Safe Spaces offers a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, The Church in Wales or The Catholic Church in England and Wales, regardless of disability, age, gender, or sexual orientation.
Safe Spaces Services will be available on 0300 303 1056
Opening hours will be extended to Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9-1pm and Sunday from 1-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review)
Safe Spaces can also be contacted at Safe Spaces England and Wales
Below are some downloadable Safe Spaces posters.
The primary aims of Blackburn Diocese’s safeguarding service are to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, promote their welfare, and minimise risk wherever possible by raising awareness and providing a robust structure whereby any concerns can be reported and receive a prompt and efficient response.
No individual or organisation is perfect and in pursuing these vital aims it is possible that mistakes can be made, either in process or communication or in some other way. In recognition of this, Blackburn Diocese has a procedure for dealing with complaints.
Click here to download the complaints procedure.
Claudia Aspey, last updated October 2024