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Last updated 25th August 2026

Safeguarding

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.

When the DSO is unavailable (due to being on holiday or other absence) you are now able to receive emergency safeguarding cover via thirtyone:eight* on their helpline 0303 003 1111. 

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.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Please note when contacting regarding safeguarding concerns, these should only be shared with safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org or a Sfg Officer/Caseworker.

*Working hours and days may vary depending on meetings/ events.

Catherine Smith

Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

Monday-Thursday

*08:00-17:30

Sophie Booth

Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (ADSO)

Monday-Wednesday & Friday

*09:30-17:00

Nicola Rowlinson-Cooke

Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (ADSO)

Monday-Friday

*08:00-15:30

Tracy Simpson

Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker & Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser

Diocese- Wednesday & Friday 

*09:00-16:30

Cathedral- Tuesday & Thursday

*09:00-16:30

 Andrea Richards

Safeguarding Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator

Alternating 3 or 4 day weeks, days vary

*08:30-16:00 (when in office, training hours vary)

 Claudia Aspey

 Safeguarding Administrator

Monday-Friday 08:00-15:30

 

Chair of the Blackburn Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel

Victoria Gibson

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.

Victoria can be contacted via email victoria.gibson@blackburn.anglican.org

Safe Spaces

A free, national support service independently run by Victim Support. It provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either The Church of England or The Catholic Church of England and Wales. 

In common with other CofE Dioceses we are promoting this service and we have placed information and full contact details below, you can access the Safe Spaces website here.

Complaints procedure

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.

 

 

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