Local safeguarding leads in faith communities: Current experience and practice, and what it tells us about improving partnership working. A preliminary mixed methods study

Abstract

Local faith communities have a role in building strong communities and are acknowledged as partners in local safeguarding (Department for Education, 2023) and yet, faith communities have a complex relationship with safeguarding. They are often active in the provision of support and services to local children and families, however substantive evidence of abuse and lack of reporting to statutory safeguarding services has been documented (Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse, 2021). This small-scale study explores the role of faith community safeguarding leads, and how working together with local safeguarding services could be improved. Applying a mixed methods approach, thirteen faith community safeguarding leads in the southwest of England and one national faith-based safeguarding agency, provide insights on safeguarding perspectives, processes and challenges. Key findings include local faith-based safeguarding leads may need support to feel confident to seek advice at an early stage and to attend child protection meetings. Practice-based implications are discussed.