Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Judith Wylie and can be contacted at safeguarding@longtonstandrew.org.

Promoting a Safer Church

St Andrew’s Longton has 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. A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here.

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the entrance to Church 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 (PSO) in the first instance.

Judith Wylie | PSO, St Andrew’s Longton
Email: safeguarding@longtonstandrew.org

The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary. Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team Contact Details

Blackburn Diocese Safeguarding Team
Email: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Phone: 01254 503088
Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Catherine Smith | DSA
Email: catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Phone: 07711 485170

Sophie Booth | Assistant DSA
Email: sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Phone: 07468 971759

Andrea Richards | Safeguarding Trainer
Email: andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org
Phone: 07484 073146

Claudia Aspey | Safeguarding Administrator
Email: claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
Phone: 01254 503088

Safeguarding concerns in a school, university, prison, or 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 | Out-of-hours and weekend safeguarding advice
Phone: 03030 031111

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline | Phone if you are worried about a child
Phone: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours)

Child-line | Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything
Phone: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours)

National Domestic Violence Helpline | Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)

Samaritans Helpline | Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to
Phone: 116 123 (open 24 hours)

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline
Phone: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9 – 5 pm)