Together Magazine | Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

magazine JANET DABY MP

Speaking out in the public square PAGE 28 TARN BRIGHT

It's time to rethink orphanages PAGE 14 7 TOP TIPS

How to do a self-audit PAGE 22

CONTENTS

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10

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It's time to rethink orphanages

Safer recruitment for volunteers

Getting set for success

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24

Top Tips

Budgeting for safeguarding vs safeguarding on a budget

EDITORIAL

What a year it's been

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Speaking out in the public square

In this issue 1

EDITORIAL

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Getting set for success

What a year it's been 3

NEWS REVIEW

FROM THE CEO

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Government launches review into child safeguarding deaths

SAFER RECRUITMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS AND PREPARING FOR SUMMER CAMPS

Increase in children being targeted online

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Church reports 'New 'cathederal' of digital worshippers

18 BUDGETING FOR SAFEGUARDING VS SAFEGUARDING ON A BUDGET

New APPG for safeguarding in faith communities IICSA report published into religious organisations Online Safety Bill

IT'S TIME TO RETHINK ORPHANAGES

EDITOR Peter Wright Call us Email us or visit follow us

0303 003 1111 info@thirtyoneeight.org thirtyoneeight.org @thirtyoneeight

PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ Charity No. 1004490 Scottish Charity No. SCO40578 ©Thirtyone:eight 2021 DESIGN epls.design

24 7 TOP TIPS FOR SELF-AUDIT 28

In November, Thirtyone:eight held its Annual General Meeting which was a time for looking back and reflecting on the ups and downs of the last year, as well as celebrating all the things that we and our members have achieved together.

SPEAKING OUT IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE

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over the horizon, we also consider the difference between effective budgeting for safeguarding versus safeguarding on a budget.

nd what a year it’s been. With still so much continued uncertainty, we have been encouraged to see the way churches, charities and community groups have continued to make the protection and care of vulnerable groups a priority.

However, as well as looking back it was also a time to look forward to what’s ahead, and that’s the theme of this edition.

In addition, we hear from Tarn Bright, (p14) CEO at Home for Good, a charity dedicated to finding a home for every child who needs one on why it’s time to rethink orphanages (a campaign that we at Thirtyone:eight have been supporting over the last months), and we hear from Janet Daby MP Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities on how we can all get involved in speaking out in the public square and engage with the creation and development of safeguarding policy and legislation. (p28)

With so much of a focus in the news sadly continuing to be on safeguarding related issues such as the tragic deaths of Arthur LabinjoHughes and Star Hobson, and the publication of the IICSA report from its investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings (of which Thirtyone:eight was a core participant), now is the time for us to consider: Where do we go from here?

Lastly, a big thank you to all those who took part in our Safeguarding Sunday campaign at the end of last year. It was great to see so many thousands of churches coming together across the UK to unite in showing they take their responsibility to protect vulnerable people seriously, and to celebrate all the good work that is being done. Please put Sunday 20th November 2022 in your diary and consider joining us this year.

To help us with that, our joint-CEO’s Justin Humphreys and Steve Ball consider what the future for safeguarding post pandemic may look like, and how we might get ourselves ready for success (page 6). We have some really practical guidance and advice on safer recruitment as activities and projects begin again (p10), as well as tips and advice about conducting a safeguarding self-audit for your organisation (p24). With the start of a new financial year just

Peter Wright Editor

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NEWS REVIEW

Government launches review into child safeguarding deaths’ The recent deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson have brought the entire nation’s focus onto the plight of abused children. This has been further highlighted by recent data which found that 36 children were killed in 2020 by mistreatment or neglect.

The figures were collated from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel which investigates deaths of at-risk children, and show that on average, three children are killed by abusive families every month in England alone.

The government has launched a national review of lessons to

be learnt from the tragic death of six-year-old Arthur LabinjoHughes, to be led by the chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, Annie Hudson.

In Dec 2021, 21 senior leaders from Christian denominations, safeguarding agencies and faith-based charities signed an open letter to the government pledging their support, cooperation, and expertise to the review.

Justin Humphreys, CEO of Thirtyone:eight, who jointly coordinated the letter said “There are fewer tragedies

that occur in society that are more painful to contemplate than the death of a child.

When a child's life is ended by the selfish and cruel acts of another person, we ought to be troubled to the core. The Church in the UK can and must take every opportunity to play a part in preventing the abuse of any child it has contact with.

Standing together and reaching out into our communities to help create safer places we can make a difference - maybe just for one child or maybe for many. This is what we are called to do.” thirtyoneeight.org/openletter

Increase in children being targeted online The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has warned that younger children are being targeted by online groomers “on an industrial scale”.

Their research shows that in 2021, (and during the pandemic) the organisation acted against 252,000 URLs which contained images or videos of children being raped and suffering sexual abuse.

groomed and abused by criminals on an industrial scale. So often, this sexual abuse is happening in children’s bedrooms in family homes, with parents being wholly unaware of what is being done to their children by strangers with an internet connection.”

“Parents need to be supported in knowing how to broach the topic with their children, and to give them the confidence to call out inappropriate behaviour when they see it.”

In total there were 361,000 reports, often arising from contact from members of the general public, of suspected criminal material and more than they dealt with in the entire first 15 years of their existence.

Crucially, these figures include a disturbing increase in “self-generated” sexual imagery of young children. Children aged 11 to 13 remain the most targeted by groomers over selfgenerated content.

Susie Hargreaves, chief executive of the IWF, said: “Children are being targeted, approached,

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NEWS REVIEW

IN BRIEF

Church reports “New ‘cathedral’ of digital worshippers

New APPG for Safeguarding in faith communities

Members of a new “cathedral” of online worshippers formed since the first lockdown played a key role in the Church of England’s 100th national online service broadcast on 9th January.

Prayers were read by people who joined a regular digital worshipping community that grew through YouTube and Facebook broadcasts of national online services.

Since the first lockdown services have been broadcast every Sunday – with additional services broadcast over Easter, Advent and Christmas.

Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, who oversees the Church of England’s national online services described the “bittersweet” milestone of the 100th service after the “grief, pain and anxiety” suffered because of the pandemic. She says the success of the online broadcasts has highlighted the number of people who were previously excluded from inperson worship.

"We now know there is a regular worshipping community online, alongside many others, who meet as a community and pray for each other,” she said.

Friday 16 July 2021 marked the launch of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to promote the responsibility and opportunity of faith groups in safeguarding.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “There is a real place for these online communities, and we recognise online worship is here to stay, not as a replacement for worshipping in person, but as a way of worshipping and building community in innovative and accessible ways."

TOP TWEETS @ChineMcDonald

@keepchildsafe

@MUChichester

I led the service at @TheBearChurch this morning and very grateful to @thirtyoneeight for their brilliant resource pack.

Do join us for a talk by @justhumphreysuk from @thirtyoneeight at the #FaithAndChildSafeguarding global summit, about ‘Creating and maintaining safer, healthier cultures’.

Pls consider signing @thirtyoneeight open letter to the Secretary of State for Education & the Minister for Children & Families in response to the tragic deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes & Star Hobson.

@dioceseoflondon Today is #SafeguardingSunday.

Churches across the country will be shining a spotlight on safeguarding. The resources from @thirtyoneeight could be used at a service anytime of the year.

@TomkinsonLinda Thank you to @thirtyoneeight for great resources. We showed two of your videos in church today.

@cypnow Congratulations to Medway Task Force @medwaycouncil, who have won The Safeguarding Award, sponsored by @Thirtyoneeight, for ‘Safety in Action 2021’ #CYPNowAwards

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@andydipper Thoroughly recommend this excellent organisation and the important work they do. How about joining the team? @thirtyoneeight

election of officers from across the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Janet Daby said “Engaging in public life in this way is an important activity for Christians and groups of other faiths. If we do not offer our voice in constructive ways to the development of policy, legislation and broader thinking on matters that affect faith in society, we will have missed a great opportunity to be a part of affecting change that represents the interests, challenges and needs of our distinct communities.”

The group is co-chaired by Janet Daby MP for Lewisham East in London and Lord Bishop Viv Faull, Lord Spiritual and Bishop of Bristol with the Secretariat for the group being provided by Thirtyone:eight.

The inaugural meeting of the group, which was held online due to COVID restrictions, saw the

IICSA report published into religious organisations On Thursday 2nd September, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published the report from its investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings, of which Thirtyone:eight was one of the core participants.

The report of the investigation, which obtained evidence from 38 religious organisations with a presence in England and

Wales, details the key findings from the investigation and includes 35 conclusions and two recommendations.

what this may look like and how this might be legislated for will be looked at within the Final Report of the Inquiry.

The investigation found that “the current oversight of child protection within religious organisations and settings is one of patch work influence” and that there “was clear evidence that some standard-setting and oversight is required” although

Religious organisations are being asked to publish a response to the report along with a timetable for implementation of the recommendations within six months of publication.

Online Safety Bill New criminal offences and major changes have been proposed in the UK's landmark Online Safety Bill, which seeks to regulate social media and tech giants.

A new parliamentary report calls for adding scams and offences, like sending unwanted sexual images and promoting violence against women and girls.

A named senior manager at the tech giants should also be made personally liable in court for failures, it said.

Those behind the report said "we need to call time on the Wild West online".

Damian Collins, chairman of the joint committee issuing the report, said: "What's illegal offline should be regulated online.

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"For too long, big tech has gotten away with being the land of the lawless.... the era of selfregulation for big tech has come to an end."

The Online Safety Bill is seen as one of the most far-reaching attempts to date to regulate online content, which could have global implications.

FROM THE CEOs

Getting set for success

When we reflect upon where we have come from and where we are going, it seems like we have spent a significant period in between what was and what is yet to come. Maybe we have been in survival mode and our next task is to get back on our feet, find our path and walk forward.

It is as if we have been in some form of liminal space, that is, the space in time where we cannot return to what was before because it is no longer there, and we can’t yet step forward into what is yet to come because that is not yet available to us. Richard Rohr, the Franciscan Friar and Writer said this:

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Where we are betwixt and between the familiar and the completely unknown. There alone is our old world left behind, while we are not yet sure of the new existence.

That’s a good space where genuine newness can begin. Get there often and stay as long as you can by whatever means possible…This is the sacred space where the old world is able to fall apart, and a bigger world is revealed.

”

So, what do we do with this time in between? At Thirtyone:eight, our team have been working hard to continue to deliver the high standards of service that are members expect from us, while also listening to our members to help us consider what the future might look

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e have all come through an amazing period of challenge personally and organisationally. For many that has been at great personal cost and has probably impacted our view of the future.

like for us as an organisation serving churches, charities and community organisations. The key to making the best of this time in between is to reflect, review, refresh and refocus so that we are ready to step into a future with some confidence and clarity.

What might this future look like?

It is clear from our recent research conducted by the University of Chester into the evolving nature of safeguarding throughout the pandemic, that this has been a difficult time bringing much change. This change is expected to continue for some time yet. Among the findings were: • Hidden People and Hidden Harms The impact of a loss of connection between people throughout the pandemic and the harms that can so easily go unseen, • The impact of the pandemic upon emotional wellbeing and mental health, • The benefits and challenges of blended and hybrid approaches to working and connecting with others • The implications for safeguarding policy and practice in an ever-changing environment of enforced restrictions • The impact of the pandemic on maintaining safe contact with those working and overseas, and • The emerging pastoral care needs for those working in these challenging circumstances.

The key to making the best of this time in between is to reflect, review, refresh and refocus so that we are ready to step into a future with some confidence and clarity.

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FROM THE CEOs

we remain convinced and confident that we have an amazing team to journey with and an ever-diversifying membership base and wider community to serve as we consider together the multitude of ways we can all contribute to creating and maintaining safer places for all as we believe God inspires us to do.

All this should tell us that there is much for us to do as we work shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of grassroots organisation across the UK, helping them in creating and maintaining safer places for all to flourish.

We are committed, as we always have been, to listen to our members, supporters, and partners as we consider the best ways to develop our services and support to meet their needs.

From the CEOs

Our Strategic Priorities of being Ethical, Sustainable, Professional and Collaborative in all our work will continue to shape our future direction whilst we keep our plans under review and ensure to the best of our ability that we resource them appropriately and get set for success in meeting our biblicallyinspired mission and vision of a world where every child and adult can feel, and be safe.

It is our privilege to work supporting many organisations at the frontline of practice, as well as looking to strengthen our position in informing national decision-making and policymaking among key influencers and politicians. Our credibility in both respects has grown and has been reflected back to us in a number of ways providing us with real encouragement about the place we have as thought leaders in this important aspect of faith and life for many.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

Both of us, along with the our Board of Trustees are excited by the opportunities ahead of us. It may not always be easy to step-up and step forward into all the areas necessary for us. However,

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IN FOCUS

Safer recruitment for volunteers and preparing for summer camps Lee Carmichael, thirtyone:eight Helpline Practitioner

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n a post lockdown context, many church leaders came back to in-person services with a reduced workforce, a result of those still feeling too vulnerable to return or those who reconsidered their children and youth volunteering commitments.

If you can’t, then don’t There is a principle which we need to be comfortable with in order to avoid unsafe recruitment fueled by the pressure to restart any previous activites.

The simple rule is, ‘if you can’t, then don’t’. If you only have enough volunteers to provide for two weeks out of four in your Sunday School, then do the two weeks and be inventive or more inclusive in your services the rest of the month.

If you know the minimum number of people needed to safely run a holiday camp and you only have two thirds of volunteers available, don’t run it. If you plan far enough in advance you won’t disappoint people by cancelling it last minute, you just won’t run it.

In some cases this has created a situation where the temptation to take every willing and able person that volunteers to help with the Childen’s and youth work the moment they say they’re interested is increased. However, we must remind ourselves that blind trust, even in people we’ve known for a while, is not good safeguarding practice and having healthy safer recruitment procedures is still essential, no matter how much you need those volunteers.

Karl Vaters, author of ‘Small Church Essentials’ encourages leaders to work with who they have in front of them, instead of trying to work like the bigger church they want to be. This means not doing stuff that others are doing, or stuff you used to do before you lost some leaders. Just because it’s always been done that way, doesn’t mean you should keep doing it.

With those foundational thoughts in mind, let’s take a look at the principles and practice of safer recruitment for your organisation. This applies to recruitment for churches as well as summer camps and residentials.

1) What will they do? Preparing a job and role description By doing this, people will know what you need and what they’re signing up for.

Recruiting for volunteers shouldn’t be that different than if you were recruiting someone to a paid post. It shows that you value the role you’re advertising and the person you’re recruiting.

2) Advertise If you are in a small church or community group, it may feel unnecessary to advertise for volunteers. It’s easy to assume you’ve got all the volunteers you’re going to get, or the church doesn’t need any more because they’re not asking. Advertising - a simple notice in the newsletter or from the front in the service may bring people to apply that you wouldn’t have thought about before.

Distinguishing between a helper and a teacher in Sunday School may mean the difference between someone willing to apply and someone being put off by thinking the job will be too much.

• Take time to think about what position you are recruiting for and make sure the title is clear.

If you are in a larger organisation, advertising your volunteer opportunities is essential to reach those who may not be well known and gives equal and fair access to those who otherwise wouldn’t be chosen or asked to serve.

• Jot down some bullet points as to what it will involve in both tasks and time.

• List the parts of safer recruitment that they need to know about, including an application form, references, interview and Criminal record check.

Distinguishing between a helper and a teacher in Sunday School may mean the difference between someone willing to apply and someone being put off by thinking the job will be too much.

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IN FOCUS

3) Application forms How detailed should an application form be for a volunteer? You should work out what key information you need for safeguarding and job suitability and include these points on the form. Our members get access to our model template application form which can be downloaded from our website.

Two things we normally get asked about when recruiting volunteers are: • Qualifications and Experience –Rather than ask someone to list out their entire qualification history, you could ask them to list their most recent or relevant qualifications.

Unlike a specific paid role, where experience in the field is likely required, knowing someone hasn’t done children’s work before won’t exclude them from volunteering, rather it will help you know where to start with them.

• References – Especially in smaller organisations, the people applying are often known to those leader or managing the activites.

Those who are recruiting sometimes feel that references are unnecessary.

You need equality in your process; you can’t treat some more favourably than others.

The same process should apply for the person you’ve known for 10 years as well as the person you’ve only known for 10 months.

Two references are helpful if one is from a previous employer which shows them to be in good standing. If they have moved church recently, you may wish to ask that church for a reference from them too.

4) Interviews Sometimes the thought of holding interviews for volunteer positions can seem daunting or unnecessary, especially for smaller organisations.

Interviews for paid posts are usually to whittle down the number of candidates to the one that you want, whereas most organisations that rely heavily on volunteers, like churches and charities, want everyone they can get. Points to consider here: • Equality – you can’t interview one and not another. It must be an equal process.

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• Formality – Interviews don’t all have to be a formal panel with multiple leaders and a long list of questions. It can be a coffee and a chat over any questions you may have because of their application.

The applicant may ask their own questions as well.

• Discuss your safeguarding expectations with them at this point.

5) Criminal record checks A Self-declaration form should be provided before carrying out the Criminal record check (DBS/PVG/AccessNI). If they disclose on the self-declaration anything that may prohibit them from taking up the role, you should not go ahead with a check till you have sought advice.

Remember, the whole process should be applied to ensure safer recruitment, a check on its own is not enough.

Checks should only be carried out once you are happy that someone is fit for the role they’ve applied for. You should not let someone begin in their role until a successful check has been carried out and any blemishes have been risk assessed.

6) Induction

Allow plenty of time.

Working in Partnership

It may be that you appoint someone between your normal schedule of volunteer safeguarding training. We offer foundational safeguarding training online. It is essential that any new volunteer is aware of the safeguarding expectations of your church or organization when they start.

Every year our safeguarding helpline gets calls with people asking if they can let volunteers serve whose criminal record check haven’t yet come through because they applied late. The short answer is no.

Camps and residentials are usually run by individual organisations, however, where organisations collaborate or work together it should be clear as to who is taking responsibility for what when it comes to recruitment and safeguarding. We recommend drafting a working agreement, or arrangements, document to clarify your structure and responsibilities for the event.

The induction process should cover: • Safeguarding Training • The safeguarding policy • Procedures for raising a safeguarding concern • Worker’s code of conduct • Practice guidelines specific to the activity they will be helping with

Late preparation and unverified background checks can put children and young people at risk through giving improperly vetted workers access to vulnerable people. There is also a risk in not having enough workers to cover the health and safety risk posed to children.

If you are planning a camp or residential, make sure you give ample time for the safer recruitment process to be carried out.

Preparing for Summer Camps Here are a few additional points to consider if you are looking to run any holiday club or summer camp:

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If you need any further help and advice with Safer Recruitment or anything else relating to safeguarding contact our helpline on 0303 003 11 11.

IN FOCUS

It’s time to rethink orphanages B

y Tarn Bright, CEO at Home for Good, a charity dedicated to finding a home for every child who needs one and building a network of adoptive parents and foster carers, who can support and encourage one another.

I recently heard a story about a little boy who had been adopted from an orphanage. During the adoption process, his soon-to-be adoptive mum found out that during his two years in the orphanage, he had interacted with several hundred volunteers. Several hundred people had visited him for a few hours or a few days to hug him, play games, sing songs, give gifts, and take photographs. All very well meaning. Yet several hundred people came and went, each time leaving a sense of loss for the child, sometimes small, but often times significant. The orphanage had provided this little boy with food, shelter and clothing, and possibly compassion but had not been able to meet his primary need for emotional safety through deep belonging. This need could only truly be met by a loving and safe family. The best for this child isn’t hundreds of temporary connections but that his heart be reserved to create a long-term relational attachment with a committed care giver.

Research shows that millions of Christians around the world, have supported, visited or volunteered in orphanages, doing so with the very best of intentions in an attempt to try and make the world a better place for children.

However, as I have learnt more about the challenges facing vulnerable children around the world, I’ve realised that good intentions do not necessarily result in best practice and that sometimes our actions can do more harm than good. It is time to rethink orphanages.

Several hundred people had visited him for a few hours or a few days to hug him, play games, sing songs, give gifts, and take photographs.

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Tarn Bright, CEO at Home for Good

IN FOCUS

orphanages cannot adequately provide this – and sadly, it has been proven that orphanages are detrimental to a child’s emotional, physical and psychological development.

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have the great privilege of leading the work at Home for Good, where our vision is to find a home for every child who needs one in the UK. We work to achieve this through the local church, inspiring people to step forward to open their homes and hearts to a child who needs a home.

We also work to spark systemic change across the country, amplifying the voices of care-experienced children and those who look after them to ensure that every child receives the stability and love that they need in order to thrive. We are a UK-based, UK-focused organisation and we will not stop until we find a home for every single child who needs one.

As part of our journey, however, and as we've engaged with churches and have shared the need in the UK for more foster

carers and adoptive parents, we have discovered that whilst many Christians understand the need for family-based care in the UK, some are also supporting orphanages overseas, which too often do not promote or acknowledge the great need for children to live in families. We’re wanting equity for all children, across the globe. If we’re convinced in the UK, as we are, that family-based care is the optimum environment for a child’s development, then this needs to be our benchmark for care for all children. So, to support and help the local church, we launched the Homecoming project – a collaborative initiative designed to inspire and resource individual Christians and churches across the UK to promote family-based care for children around the world.

We have had the privilege of journeying alongside church leaders, children and youth workers, charity leaders, students, and individuals of all ages as they’ve courageously and humbly explored better 16

ways of using their time and resources on behalf of children.

It has been inspiring to hear stories of churches who have started conversations with the orphanages they support to explore how they might channel their funding towards helping them develop a familybased model. We have heard amazing stories of young people who have previously volunteered in orphanages but have since realised that there are better ways to help children, and so are now pursuing careers in social work and child development.

We want to see the 5.4 million children currently living in orphanages come home to family – because we know that children thrive in safe and loving families.

Family is God’s design; He is the One who “sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6). Over 80 years of child development research confirms that children develop best in families where they can experience love, safety and belonging over a lifetime. Even the best

But how can we possibly find new families for millions of children? In many cases, we don’t need to. The word ‘orphanage’ is actually a misnomer. On average, 80 percent of children currently living in orphanages around the world have at least one living parent. Most children living in orphanages are not there because they are orphans – they are there because of poverty. It is most often due to poverty that children are relinquished into orphanages by parents desperate for them to access basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare and education.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a global shift towards family-based care, so that children can either be reunited with their birth families, where appropriate and safe to do so, or can be found alternative families through kinship care, fostering or adoption.

If visiting and supporting orphanages is not the answer, what can we do instead?

The best way to help vulnerable children is to support programmes and organisations that strengthen families and communities, or that promote family-based care alternatives such as kinship care or local fostering or adoption. We see this through our work across

the UK, and it is the same in every country across the world.

This important work helps to prevent family breakdown and children being separated from their parents or relatives and helps to find the best familybased alternatives when family reunification is not possible. A good volunteering model is one where there is no direct contact or interaction with children, but instead focuses on supporting parents, caregivers, staff, and the local community.

We have a big vision to see children in orphanages come home to family, but we are not working towards this vision on our own. In fact, our Homecoming resource has been made possible by fantastic organisations such as World Without Orphans, SFAC, thirtyone:eight and many others who are all doing incredible work in the effort to see children thriving in families. As we continue our focus on finding families for children in the UK, I encourage you to contact these organisations and visit www.homecomingproject.org for more information and to sign up to the email learning journey.

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We believe that in order to achieve the vision of a family for every child, every single one of us will need to play our part. Whether that’s educating ourselves on best practice, offering our time, skills or finances to organisations doing family strengthening work, financially supporting orphanages who are wanting to transition to family-based care models, or perhaps even opening our home to a child through fostering or adoption here in the UK. If we all play our part, we could see the 5.4 million children in orphanages come home to family.

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f you are currently supporting an orphanage, please do not immediately stop doing this, because that could put children at even more risk. What you can do is start a conversation with the orphanage about how they could move to a better model where children either safely return home or are placed in loving kinship, foster or adoptive families. homeforgood.org.uk

IN FOCUS

Budgeting for Safeguarding vs Safeguarding on a Budget

By Clare Veal, Thirtyone:eight Head of Finance

IN FOCUS

What’s the difference between budgeting for safeguarding vs safeguarding on a budget?

As Head of Finance here at thirtyone:eight I am very aware of the need to stick to predicted budgets, to plan ahead and to keep a careful eye on expenditure, and know this is also the same for everyone whether involved in church, charity, education, or any business at all – it’s certainly the case in my church!

One question our members ask is, how much should we as an organization be looking to budget for safeguarding when planning our expenditure?

Of course, there may always be unforeseen expenditure, but in safeguarding terms there are far more ‘knowns’ than ‘unknowns’. There are actually only a few different areas of safeguarding expenditure to remember.

First, to ensure you maintain a place of care and safety, your workers, whether staff or volunteers, will have training needs on an annual basis.

These should be easy to estimate based on the number of workers you have or will need to have in order to deliver the range of activities you have planned for the year ahead. This will require some good forward planning across the organization to ensure you know up front what the activities are likely to be and how many people will be needed.

For those organisations needing DBS checks, a tip would be to consider asking your volunteers to register their disclosure with the DBS Update Service – a free service for volunteers which can save you money going forward (although the update service may not be appropriate for all your workers). You can check with our Disclosure Team to make sure that this route is applicable.

Discuss the costs and account for these within your safeguarding budget, and don’t forget that members with us get a discount on all our training. You could book your training places as soon as your budget is agreed, then you will know this has been covered and how much you have left to potentially reallocate to other things.

It should also be relatively straightforward to make an educated assessment of staffing costs, including cost for Criminal record checks – DBS, PVG or AccessNI - for all staff and volunteers likely to be needed for the next year.

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ou could also consider apportioning some of your safeguarding budget to resources – safeguarding posters, policy templates, guidance documents and leaflets.

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Join us in person o r online

Last, make sure your team is getting the most value out of your membership with us! Your membership gives fantastic value for money and includes access to a host of benefits, free guidance, help, resources, support, template policies, forms and checklists for working with Children, young people, and adults - which are all included.

However you choose to provide your training, resources, safer recruitment advice and disclosure checks, make sure you budget for it. Just as you would allocate money for heating, refreshments, music licenses, worship and social events – safeguarding needs to be up there with them all. Not only does it make a safeguarding lead’s life so much easier (it gives credence to the role

too), but it makes an effective assertion of the importance of safeguarding within the organisation. It allows proper planning and thought to be given to activities where safeguarding input is a requirement. It allows the leadership to say ‘no’ to an event if it’s put together at short notice and appropriate safeguarding arrangements are not up to standard and would involve extra unbudgeted cost. We wouldn’t arrange an afternoon tea without checking the budget to ensure we could buy the tea and cakes; we wouldn’t run a tombola without ensuring we had enough prizes to give away; we shouldn’t put on any event without ensuring we have all safeguarding measures in place. And that requires proper funding.

As we begin to look forward to a new financial year – now is the time to plan. Make sure you are not safeguarding on a budget, scraping around to find spare cash to put towards safer recruitment or respond to a training need, or settling for ‘free’ options that don’t meet your organisations specialist needs.

Instead of needing to put events and activities off for another year, be an organisation who budgets ahead for all essential safeguarding needs. It’ll be best for everyone and a public statement on the importance of safeguarding within your organisation.

With guest speakers Shane Claiborne, Rachel Hughes, Carrie Grant and more A day of worship, teaching and prayer for all who are passionate about vulnerable children. A time to be inspired by Home for Good’s vision to find a home for every child who needs one through fostering, adoption and supported lodgings. Whatever your role, the Summit will equip you to play your part for care-experienced children and explore how the church can be a place of welcome, love and acceptance for them.

Saturday 7 May 2022 10 am - 4.30 pm

The Ridgeway Centre, Milton Keynes MK12 5TH

£28 in person | £15 online | Children and young people go free 20

homeforgood.org.uk/summit-2022 Home for Good is a charity registered in England and Wales (1158707) and Scotland (SC046972) and is a company limited by guarantee (9060425).

7 TOP TIPS

7 Top Tips for Self-Audit

by Ian Carpenter, Helpline Manager, Thirtyone:eight

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ith an increased focus from government and regulators on safeguarding, it has never been more important to ensure organisations have the right policies, guidelines and processes in place to ensure they are safe places for all children and adults.

safeguarding arrangements it has in place are working and if they are being followed, so its good practice for an organisation to regularly audit its safeguarding arrangements to make sure they are being effective in protecting people from harm.

Without regular auditing, it can be difficult for an orgnisation to know whether or not the

Here are our 7 Top Tips for carrying out a safeguarding self-audit.

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Consider the culture of the organisation Culture is the all-important ingredient in the success of any organisation or community.

Safer, healthier culture means:

A safe and healthy culture doesn’t happen by mistake, we have to work at it. As part of your audit, which is usually focussed solely on policy, practices and processes, include a section with a focus on the culture of the organisation and how this relates to safeguarding.

If an organisation wants to see its culture having a positive effect on those they work with or for, it must start with its attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.

• Having the principles of safeguarding as the foundation of your efforts.

• Respecting, valuing, and nurturing those in your care.

• Empowering and guiding others in a way that maintains freedom of choice • Nurturing our leaders at all levels.

• Operating with a healthy regard for accountability (for ourselves and others).

• Modelling inclusion and participation.

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Review your Safeguarding Policy It’s good practice to review your policy once a year, to ensure it is up to date.

Consider the following: • Does the Safeguarding Policy comply with and endorse the law, government regulation and best practice and is endorsed by the Leadership?

• Does the Policy Statement include the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding, and contact information.

Is it displayed prominently?

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• Do you have an appointed Safeguarding Coordinator who has implemented the safeguarding policy and is promoting the safeguarding agenda within the organisation?

• Is the Leadership familiar with the safeguarding policy and actively supporting the Safeguarding Coordinator?

• Does the organisation have appropriate insurance including legal protection and public liability cover.?

Ensure your workers get regular training.

Training is central to empowering and equipping your paid workers and volunteers with the knowledge and skills they need to create safer places.

• Have all workers received safeguarding training to update skills and knowledge?

• Are workers aware of who the Safeguarding Coordinator is and how to report concerns when they arise?

Consider the following: • Is there an organisational commitment to safeguarding training?

• Is there role specific training for those who have specific responsibiliites with regard to safeguarding?

• Does the leadership facilitate and promote good practice and training?

• Does the Safeguarding Coordinator organise training and manage the safeguarding policy and procedures.

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Check whether safer recruitment is followed Safer recruitment is vital because it minimises the likelihood of those who may be vulnerable being harmed by those in positions of trust. Leaders, workers, and those holding a variety of other positions should undergo a thorough recruitment process. Consider:

• Are self-declaration forms being completed by those applying to work with children or adults at risk, and those who are in positions of trust (including trustees) detailing any cautions, convictions and any other criminal history.

• Are job descriptions being prepared and advertised (paid and volunteers).

• Are references being obtained?

• Are job applications being completed giving details of previous experience, qualifications, referees and any other supporting information.

Every organisation that is in contact with, or provides services for children, young people or adults with care and support needs must be able to respond appropriately to concerns or allegations of abuse. Consider:

• Do all workers know how to respond to an allegation of abuse made by a third party

• Does the Safeguarding Coordinator and Deputy know how to respond where there are concerns or allegations of abuse

• Do workers know how to respond where there is an allegation against a worker.

• Are criminal record checks being carried out where relevant?

Consider Pastoral Care Each organisation that is open to activities for children, young people and adults, should ensure pastoral care and support is available to all those affected by abuse.

• There are people within the organisation who are trained in pastoral care, understand confidentiality, accountability, and have listening skills and are available to those who wish to talk.

• The organisation recognises the difference between counselling and pastoral care including that counsellors must be appropriately qualified.

See that safeguarding is being communicated Your organisation should ensure that all those involved with children, young people and safeguarding adults know how to communicate effectively and relate to those with whom they come into contact. Consider:

• Do all workers know how to safely communicate including online?

• The organisation has ensured there is confidentiality and accountability for those in the counselling / pastoral care roles.

• Have workers been trained and equipped to communicate effectively with those with special needs and disabilities.

• Are all workers aware and informed about lines of communication and know when and who to report concerns to.

• There are clear guidelines and boundaries for all providing pastoral care. All pastoral carers know how to respond to concerns

Are workers trained in listening and communicating?

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• Is there clear communication with external agencies including statutory safeguarding bodies.

• Do all workers know the reasons for not contacting the parent /carer or alleged abuser and act accordingly.

• Are applicants – including volunteers – being interviewed?

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Check that all workers know how to respond

of abuse and have a clearly defined role which is conveyed to the person receiving the pastoral care.

• Organisations understand the impact on families and ensure that practical help is provided for those affected by abuse, particularly where there is a formal investigation.

• There is an understanding throughout the organisation and an appropriate response to the effects of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect, as well as spiritual abuse.

Finally, say Thank You to all your workers and volunteers. It’s been a tough, emotional time for everyone and those people who have worked faithfully through this time deserve praise, thanks and encouragement and every possible opportunity.

hirtyone:eight provide advice and guidance on conducting a self-audit. We also offer one or twohour bespoke Advice Surgeries that will help with any questions you have about safeguarding.

Advice surgeries are for organisations that would like to spend some focused time with one of our experienced team of advisors discussing the safeguarding, safer recruitment or DBS issues that are specifically impacting your organisation. They usually last between 1-2 hours and can be done by telephone, video meeting, or face-to-face. Advice surgeries (thirtyoneeight.org)

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JANET DABY MP

Speaking out in the public square

By Janet Daby MP

Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities

F

aith communities play a vital role within society today. For hundreds of years, places of worship have been a presence within our villages, towns and cities. These places of worship have become synonymous with a wide range of activities taking place to support local communities.

Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer said in his New Year’s speech that places of worship are one of the places “that give our lives meaning, that shape our identities… [the spaces] in which our lives unfold.” In politics it is essential we understand the value of our faith institutions as well as the people that congregate them.

JANET DABY MP

R

ecent figures provided by the Charity Commission (England & Wales)i suggest that over 45,000 (or 25%) of all registered charities are recorded as having religious or faith-based activities as their focus.

Outside of these are the many thousands of faithbased organisations that do not meet the threshold for registration, yet undertake much important work engaging different communities on a regular basis.

Faith-based organisations have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to society and particularly in relation to social welfare and social justice. Whilst this is extremely encouraging, with this opportunity comes great responsibility to engage with communities and society in safe ways.

Understanding the unique safeguarding challenges faced by communities of faith and encouraging them to share in active dialogue to ensure safe practices are embedded is extremely important. The recently established All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Safeguarding in Faith Communities, which I am privileged to co-Chair with Bishop Viv Faull is one way of ensuring that an appropriate voice can be heard within the public square on a range of safeguarding matters of importance to communities of all faiths. This voice is ably facilitated through the work of the secretariat to the group, provided by thirtyone:eight.

The majority of focus to date in the UK towards safeguarding in faith contexts has been in relation to the Christian faith and community. In reality, the many safeguarding issues

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that have been highlighted publicly in recent times (via the general press and media and through other channels such as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse), are no less likely to be issues within communities of other faiths, beliefs and religions. In fact, evidence would show that this is very much the case.

as promote the many positive messages that there are in relation to the faith-basis or motivation for many who are active in creating safer places for vulnerable groups.

In a recent studyii of 1,170 active Christians, 50% believed that making financial donations and volunteering For this reason, the new APPG in activities focused on local focuses on safeguarding poverty (e.g. food banks, debt concerns relevant to any relief and homelessness) was community of faith, belief or most important, 35% believed religion – in this way it may the same of activities caring be possible to gain the widest for the vulnerable (e.g. elderly, participation to learn, share mental health and disabilities) and work together to address and 19% believed activities such concerns collectively. It supporting children’s rights is important for the (e.g. child labour, group to act sexual exploitation, as a vehicle neglect and I know that through which violence) thirtyone:eight have communities were most been at the forefront of faith, important. of championing improved belief or These engagement and best religion can findings show practice for many years contribute a significant in this area of positively commitment community life. towards the towards issues development of of social justice understanding, policy and inequality, within development and good which issues of safeguarding practice in a broad range of are often embedded. It is areas. We therefore have extremely encouraging to see the ability to facilitate both this appetite for action. I know exploration and learning into that thirtyone:eight have been areas of key challenge as well at the forefront of championing 27

RESOURCE FOCUS JANET DABY MP

improved engagement and best practice for many years in this area of community life.

I am also encouraged to see the emerging outcomes of work led by thirtyone:eight through the previous APPG on Safeguarding in Faith Settings (which concluded its work in 2020) following its inquiry concerning ‘Positions of Trust’ (Sexual Offences Act, 2003).

The inquiry engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including many different faith groups, professional bodies, academics and charities concerned with safeguarding in multi-faith contexts. The inquiry report was published and launched in parliament in January 2020, following which continued efforts were made to engage the Ministry of Justice in seeking a commitment to changing the existing laws to improve safeguards to young people in faith settings through revised ‘Positions of Trust’ arrangements.

Alongside others such as the NSPCC, it is good to see that these issues are being taken forward through the Police, Crime & Sentencing Bill currently making its way through parliament towards the statute books. Without the excellent work of the APPG and the many individuals and organisations that participated in their work, it is likely that this progress would not have been seen.

In recent weeks, my Co-Chair and I have been working with thirtyone:eight and others to

consider the most appropriate areas of focus for the new group moving forward into 2022 and beyond. At its recent meeting held in November 2021, it was decided that a longstanding area of concern for many was still in real need of attention and positive change. This is in relation to the interaction and engagement between faith communities and statutory agencies concerned with safeguarding vulnerable groups. Many different studies, commentaries and reviews have pointed towards the difficulties experienced within both faith communities and statutory agencies who need to work together to safeguard children and adults. The APPG is now committed to focusing on this and being a part of wider collaborative efforts to explore the issues and identify potential solutions to the problems often faced within these relationships.

Engaging in public life in this way is an important activity for Christians and groups of other faiths. If we do not offer our voice in constructive ways to the development of policy, legislation and broader thinking on matters that affect faith in society, we will have missed a great opportunity to be a part of affecting change that represents the interests, challenges and needs of our distinct communities. It is an honour and privilege to be a part of this and I look forward to being able to update you on our work again in the future.

Janet Daby MP Janet Daby is the Labour MP for Lewisham East in London, where she has lived for over 22 years.

She is a social worker by profession and is also a Christian. She is the Founding Director of The Whitefoot and Downham Community Food Plus Project, an organisation which combats food poverty and isolation, helps over 50 local people each week, and which received a national award in recognition for its work.

Janet has a record of successful local campaigning, including working with parents to save nursery services as well as establishing a local Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and working with Community Safety Partners to prevent and reduce crime.]

i Data from the register of charities in England and Wales. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search ii ‘The UK Church in Action: Perceptions of social justice and mission in a changing world’ Barna Global, London, 2018

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A campaign by

thirtyoneeight.org

One Church One day One message: Protecting vulnerable people.

Together.

Join thousands of churches across the country this November who together, will be raising awareness of what the Church is doing to make it a safer place for everyone.

• Explore together what safer places look like • Celebrate the things your church is doing to make it safer • Thank those working behind the scenes to make it happen • Show your local community that you take safeguarding seriously

“I had no idea my church even thought about safeguarding let alone acted on it, but I was very impressed that we did.”

To register and find out more go to thirtyoneeight.org/safeguardingsunday or scan the QR code here

Join the conversation

#SafeguardingSunday © 2021 Thirtyone:eight is a charity registered in England and Wales (1004490) and Scotland (SCO40578)

Safeguarding Sunday 2022 Sunday 20th November