Last updated 19th August 2021

Diocesan/national policies and guidance

Links to both the national Church of England  and Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and guidance documents are outlined below:

National Church Policies

The policies on this website will always be the most up to date version available

The Church of England 'Promoting a Safer Church' including a link to Safeguarding and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

National Church Institutions Safeguarding Privacy Notice

The Church of England Safeguarding Policy Statements and Practice Guidance 

The national Church of England safeguarding webpage 

‘House of Bishops Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations that relate to Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Guidance’ click here (This policy is for allegation that do not concern a Church officer.)

The new national  Promoting a Safer Church, House of Bishops Policy Statement (2017) for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.This document is to be supported by more detailed practice guidance, which is due to be released later in 2017.

Guidance for DBFs: Identifying Safeguarding Serious Incidents and Reporting to the Charity Commission

Guidance for PCC's: Identifying Safeguarding Serious Incidents and Reporting to the Charity Commission

Delegation by the DBF Directors: Reporting of Serious Incidents to the Charity Commission (Example Template)

Delegation by the PCC: Reporting of Serious Incidents to the Charity Commission (Example Template)

SIR FAQ's (Revised March 2021)

Diocese of Blackburn Policies

Diocese of Blackburn Parish Safeguarding Handbook (Oct 2018)

Diocese of Blackburn e-Safety and Acceptable Use Policy

Diocese of Blackburn Domestic Abuse Statement

DBF Safeguarding Complaints Procedure

Local Authority Policies

Lancashire Social Care Policies

Other Guidance Documents

The Gospel, sexual abuse and the Church: A Theological resource for the local church

Published in 2016- an excellent resource for churches who wish to consider how they might discuss and develop their approach to protecting and valuing all the members of their community, including those who have suffered abuse in church settings in the past; and those who have harmed others in the past but now wish to make a new life in Christ. Safeguarding from abuse and responding well to its needs to be grounded in Christian theology and so should be part of the Church's regular ministry of preaching and teaching. Good safeguarding is integral to the mission of the Church.)

Safeguarding and parish websites

ALL parishes must have safeguarding contact information accessible on their website homepage - for more information on this - including suggested wording - visit the Safeguarding 'Overview' page of this website.