Faith Communities
Faith communities provide a wide range of services to children and their families. Some faith communities have a centrally organised child protection system whilst others do not. All churches, other places of worship and faith based organisations, need to have procedures to enable their workers and helpers to report concerns about the children they meet. These procedures should be based upon “What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused”.
Faith Communities should have an appropriate Code of Practice for those who work directly with children and will only appoint workers on the basis of “Safe from Harm: A Code Of Practice For Safeguarding The Welfare Of Children In Voluntary Organisations In England and Wales” published in 1993 by the Home Office.
Faith communities who do not have procedures or a code of practice are referred to the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service who can offer multi-faith advice about the content of these. The Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) may also offer help. Alternatively contact the Safeguarding Advisory Service, Tel:01952 385678.