Engaging Faith Communities to Prevent Abuse: Challenges and Opportunities

1. Working with faith communities to prevent abuse and neglect: challenges and opportunitiesSwindon LSCB Annual Conference, 15 November 2017 Shirley Maginley NSPCC Senior Consultant, Faith and Minority Ethnic Communities

2. Snapshot of major faith communities in the UK and Swindon • Challenges and opportunities for engaging with faith groups • Introduction to the NSPCC Multi-faith Safeguarding Hub • The role of faith communities in preventing neglect

3. Defining faith community The term `faith community’ is used to encompass any setting where religious beliefs give direction to an activity or way of life. It may be applied to a formal place of worship, individuals, groups or organisations affiliated to a particular faith.

4. Child Welfare in the UK Dr. Thomas Barnardo 1867 Rev. Benjamin Waugh 1884 Rev. Thomas Stephenson 1869

5. Major faith communities in the UKand Swindon

6. Trends in Religious Affiliation in the UK + Source: ONS Labour Force Survey

7. Religious Affiliation in Swindon Census 2001, 2011 (ONS)

8. Children subject to child protection plan in 2012

9. Some current challenges • Knowing how best to engage with `hard to reach’ faith and BME communities 'Hard to reach' audiences have been defined as 'inaccessible to most traditional and conventional methods for any reason' • Understanding belief systems which may or may not be consciously shaped by faith and religion but may influence the effective protection of children. • Identifying and enlisting the support of leaders or central bodies to facilitate or influence safeguarding good practice • Getting faith groups to look beyond criminal records checks to develop other areas of safeguarding practice, i.esafer recruitment, emerging forms of abuse, neglect. • Knowing how best to use the learning and intelligence gained from faith communities to meet the needs of vulnerable children in the communities.

10. Differing views and the impact on safeguarding? • Women’s rights and roles in society • LGBT • Consent and sex outside marriage • Abortion • Physical punishment • Fasting • Circumcision • Disability • Blood transfusion • Divorce • Children born outside of marriage • Power of prayer

11. Learning from SCR- culture and faith were factors • Risk factors: • Religion and culture as a distraction from child protection issues • Professionals misconceptions, lack of confidence and lack of knowledge • Learning for improved practice: • Take account of the families’ religious and cultural needs • Challenging parents • Improve relationships between professionals and different minority groups

12. Safeguarding children and young people within faith communities Secure Safe Healthy

13. Multi-faith safeguarding hub How to protect children and young people within religious or faith settings Films on safeguarding in different faiths Learning examples Online resource for faith-based groups and places of worship Information and resources for each faith nspcc.org.uk/faith

14. Films from the Multi-faith Safeguarding Hub

15. Do faith communities have a role in preventing neglect?

16. Opportunities for faith communities in preventing neglect • Speak out against all forms of harm and abuse of children and emphasise that harming a child is not condoned in their religion. • Ensure that neglect is defined in child protection policies and the signs and risk factors are outlined so they can be spotted early. • Promote education and training on neglect. Invite professionals to speak on the subject matter to community members.

17. Opportunities for faith communities in preventing neglect • Provide practical help and support for parents who are struggling – parent groups, childcare facilities, materials, safe space for children to play and learn. • Create the opportunities for parents and carers to share problems and work towards managing those problems at an early stage, e.g. pastoral support and befriending schemes • Enable access to help from professional services • Lend their voice and influence to raise awareness of abuse and neglect, e.g use religious media (including social media).

18. Barriers to engaging with faith or BME communities • Lack of knowledge an understand around the faith community and beliefs • Fear of difference • Language • Not knowing who to speak to • Initial rejection • Attitudes or prejudices • Laisse fare – unwillingness to become involved in other’s activities • Lack of appreciation of the fruits of engagement • Lack engagement skills • Lack of resources, eg time and effort

19. Community model of engagement This model can be applied to different groups Community engagement works best where it is an ongoing cumulative process enabling relationships and trust to build and strengthen over time.

20. Community Engagement Consider: What is your model of participation? What is the most suitable method for engagement? How does the group want to engage? What is the capacity of the group? What resources are available? What information, training or skills do you require? What leverage might you have? Cartoon courtesy of Regina Faul-Doyl

21. The point of connection Inside cover

22. What might be a point of connection to raise awareness of neglect and meet the needs/concerns of the local faith, minority ethnic or community group? What opportunities mightthere be for engagement? Questions and discussion:

23. Thank you! Shirley Maginley, Senior Consultant, Faith and Minority Ethnic Communities Email: smaginley@nspcc.org.uk Telephone: 07879 113537