Faith and Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All organisations working with children and young people need to have a good understanding of safeguarding. This goes beyond simply having a policy in place. Staff and volunteers should be able to recognize when a child is a risk, and know what steps to take, and the resources that are available.

In Barnet we have a Safeguarding Adviser who specializes in working with voluntary and community groups – including churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and any kind of faith group. You can book a slot at the monthly safeguarding surgery to get support to develop your policies and procedures, arrange for CRB checks at a preferential rate and get advice on relevant training.

Contact Barry Rawlings on barry.rawlings@communitybarnet.org.uk

Try the following link for further advice and information:
http://www.slideshare.net/karenwalkden/safeguarding-resources-for-faith-and-bme-groups-5694179

In 2010/11 Barnet is participating in a Pan London project to improve understanding of safeguarding issues and faith. This works from two angles – to raise the profile of safeguarding resources available for faith groups, and also to help professionals to understand faith issues.

We will be looking at:

• Increasing uptake of safeguarding advice and resources by faith and cultural groups
• Giving young people a voice through the Junior Safeguarding Board
• Looking at the safeguarding needs of supplementary schools
• Piloting the guidance and training materials produced by the project

The project is running from July 2010 until December 2011 – and we will post updates on the news page of this website.

Useful links:

This link will take you to the presentation on the project made to the Barnet Supplementary Schools Forum and to CYPNet in September 2010: http://www.slideshare.net/karenwalkden/pan-london-safeguarding-presentation-sept-2010

We are asking faith leaders, children’s workers and youth group leaders to participate in a survey on safeguarding. Click this link to add your views:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/faithandculture

In addition we’ll be running focus groups - to find out more, check the News page or contact karen@flourishing.me.uk.