Culture and faith

Faith-based abuse linked to a belief in spirit possession

Trust for London established a Safeguarding Children's Rights initiative in 2007 to address the issue of faith-based child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession. Although this is a problem across many cultures and faiths, the initiative focuses on London's African communities. Its aim is to develop and/or strengthen community-based preventive work to protect and promote African children in London’s right to safety and well-being – with a particular focus on tackling faith-based abuse linked to a belief in spirit possession.

For more information follow this link:
http://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/special-initiatives/safeguarding-childrens-rights/  

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Pan-London safeguarding children culture & faith project 2010-11

This is an action-research Project which aims to promote a step-change in safeguarding London’s children living in minority ethnic, culture or faith communities or groups. The Project will run for 18 months to December 2011.

The Project comprises three parts:

1) The London boroughs of Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Enfield, Hackney, Merton, Newham and Tower Hamlets will pilot projects designed to promote statutory and voluntary agency safeguarding children partnership working with local minority ethnic and faith communities and groups.

2) The 32 London LSCBs will run consultation focus groups for communities and professionals in their areas to gather views on how to improve safeguarding for London’s children living in minority ethnic, culture or faith communities or groups.

3) LB Bexley will interview all the London LSCBs to map activity and aspiration in London for partnership for safeguarding London’s children living in minority ethnic, culture or faith communities or groups.

Project activity and findings will be published in a Project Report. The Project outputs will include:

a) Guidance about the additional issues which a professional may need to think about and act on, in relation to children and families across different cultures and faiths, to accompany the London Child Protection Procedures;

b) Training which will help professionals to identify children across cultures and faiths who are in need of support or protection; and

c) A local safeguarding children board model engagement strategy to assist minority ethnic communities and faith groups in protecting their children and working with statutory services to do so.

Project description and terms of reference:

 Summary project description
 Overall project description
 Borough projects 
 Operational group terms of reference and timeline

The Project Operations Group meets monthly. All meetings will be on Mondays at 10am-12pm at London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street. The dates are:

• 13 September 2010
• 11 October 2010
• 8 November 2010
• 13 December 2010
• 10 January 2011
• 14 February 2011
• 14 March 2011
• 11 April 2011 

Papers from previous meetings:
 12th May 2010
 14th June 2010
 12th July 2010

The focus group confidentiality & disclosure statement and questions:
 Focus group confidentiality & disclosure statement
 Focus group questions

The audit tool to assist LSCB interviews:
 Project interview audit tool

The Project Report and outputs will be launched at a Conference in December 2011/January 2012.

If you would like to contribute to this Project or have some questions please contact: Emma.Aiyere@bexley.gov.uk and: 07989168938 

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Minority Ethnic Communities and Faith Groups Subgroup 

Chaired by: Andrew Fraser, Chair of Enfield LSCB (andrew.fraser@enfield.gov.uk)
Membership: Membership is made up of representatives from London’s diverse communities and faith groups, Local Safeguarding Children Boards and statutory and non-statutory agencies.
Future meeting dates (all at London Councils, 59 1/2 Southwark Street):

• Monday 8 March, 10am – 12pm
• Tuesday 27 April, 3pm - 5pm
• Monday 12 July, 9.30am - 11.30am
• Wednesday 20 October, 3pm – 5pm

Agendas for meetings will be circulated in advance.  All network members are asked to notify the London Safeguarding Children Board of their intention to attend at least 2 days in advance of the meeting - ian.dean@londoncouncils.gov.uk (for security purposes only those who have notified attendance can be admitted). 

For more information about the network, please contact Ian Dean – ian.dean@londoncouncils.gov.uk, 020 7934 9714

Papers from previous meetings

  January 20th 2009
  October 9th 2008
  April 1st 2008
  January 21st 2008

Related documents

  Terms of reference
-     Community partnership project
-     FGM resources 
  Barking and Dagenham LSCB - safeguarding children in places of worship (good practice guidance)

CCPAS "Kids are Safe Here" dvd for churches

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Strategies to better safeguard children in highly diverse communities (8 Sept 2009)

Please follow the link below to download the presentations from our September seminar focusing on strategies to better safeguard children in highly diverse communities. This was delivered in partnership with the Victoria Climbie Foundation and highlighted work being undertaken by Coram, DMSS and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

 Coram Presentation 8 Sep 09
 Tower Hamlets (Foyzul Hoque) 8 Sep 09
Tower Hamlets (Philip Messant) 8 Sep 09   

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Working with faith communities seminar (30 April 2009)