Building on strengths: protecting and promoting the welfare of children and young people in faith-based settings

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Building on strengths

Protecting and promoting the welfare of children and young people in faith-based settings

Report of a conference held on 16 October 2007 in Leicester

By Shirley Maginley (NSPCC Child Protection Awareness and Diversity Department)

Building on strengths: protecting and promoting the welfare of children and young people in faith-based settings (PDF, 348KB) is a report on a conference held on 16 October 2007 in Leicester which was organised to discuss key issues in relation to safeguarding children in faith-based settings.

The conference provided the opportunity to share information, ideas and learning to support faith-based groups and voluntary and statutory agencies in working together to protect and promote the welfare of black and minority ethnic (BME) children and young people.

Some key points arising from the conference:

the role of faith groups in safeguarding children is underdeveloped and we must find ways to maximise this potential
children must be encouraged to participate at every level of faith organisations, involving them in decision-making wherever possible
training must be made more accessible across the board, and resources shared
faith groups could provide more safe spaces for children
spirituality is an important element in children's lives, which must be considered and respected
faith organisations should evaluate their work against the five Every Child Matters outcomes, as local authorities are required to do
faith teaching should connect to safeguarding issues
traditional values of family life should be used as a positive aspect in helping children
we must all be someone to turn to for children.