THE Blackburn Diocese of the Church of England has appointed a new safeguarding adviser to protect children, young people and adults.

Kaley Vaughton lives in the Ribble Valley with her husband and two daughters and is an experienced social worker.

She has extensive experience of working with children, the police, probation and youth offending teams, and also supporting young people who have suffered sexual abuse.

Mrs Vaughton will be involved in preparing safeguarding policies, handling criminal record checks for potential employees, training and carrying out risk assessments for the diocese which covers the whole of Lancashire.

She said: “I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to work for Blackburn Diocese and am eager to help to develop the safeguarding work that is already being done here.

“I look forward to getting to know people within the diocese and working with them to keep safeguarding high on everyone’s agenda.”

Ronnie Semley has also been appointed communications manager for the diocese following 11 years in a similar post at Bolton Council.

Diocesan secretary, Canon Graeme Pollard, said: “Ronnie and Kaley bring a wealth of experience to their important roles.

“As well as improving the ways in which we communicate internally, Ronnie will also help us to tell the story of all the good work which is going on across the Church.

“Kaley will strengthen our expertise when it comes to safeguarding.

“We take this work seriously and we will support Kaley in ensuring we do our utmost to safeguard vulnerable adults and children in our parishes.”

Both will be based at Church House, Blackburn.

Mr Semley, who lives in Clayton-le-Woods with his family, said: “I am delighted to be joining at this exciting time, as the process of choosing a new Bishop of Blackburn begins.”