**The deadline for participation in this research has now passed.**
During the Covid-19 pandemic churches have responded by reaching out to support the most vulnerable in society. A recent survey by the Evangelical Alliance in May 2020 reported that 88% of churches are working to meet the needs of vulnerable people. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to support thousands of churches, charities and other organisations as they have risen to the challenge. To ensure we can provide the best help possible we've partnered with the University of Chester to explore in more detail how Covid-19 and the various restrictions have impacted upon safeguarding in Christian settings.
Those who have a safeguarding role in a Christian organisation are being invited to participate in the research, which will be collected via an online questionnaire that will take around 15 minutes to complete. The purpose of the research is to explore the experiences of safeguarding leads in their roles in Christian faith contexts in the United Kingdom before, during and post Covid-19.
The survey questions will be about safeguarding roles, examples of good practices, training, the international context, challenges and the future of safeguarding post Covid-19. The results of the study will be used for the development of training and support for safeguarding leads and they will be shared through articles and conferences to help develop work and awareness in this area.
Justin Humphreys, CEO at Thirtyone:eight, said: “The learning from this study will help to inform the development of support that we can offer and help the future direction for Thirtyone:eight.
“It will also help other organisations and individuals who are interested in safeguarding in these various contexts, in order that we can all continue to offer the best possible support to people working on the frontline and underpin effective safeguarding within the Christian faith community. We hope that this will contribute towards safer places for the many thousands of vulnerable and ‘at risk’ people at this difficult time.”
The responses to the survey will be confidential and no identifying information such as names or IP address will be collected. Any quotes provided will be anonymised.
Taking part in the research should help to develop an understanding of the needs of those holding safeguarding roles. Those commissioning the study do not anticipate that taking part will have any negative impacts on participants. However, at the end of the survey there are contact details should participants wish to speak to someone.
To take part in the survey or to find out more please go to: thirtyoneeight.org/Research-COVID
