Meet our newest patron: Dr Paula Gooder

Dr Gooder is a writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. Her research areas focus on the writings of Paul the Apostle, with a particular focus on 2 Corinthians and on Paul’s understanding of the Body. Her passion is to ignite people’s enthusiasm for reading the Bible today, by presenting the best of biblical scholarship in an accessible and interesting way.

From the CEO's

We have all been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our regular routines have been turned on their heads and it has been necessary to find a new pace as we explore new ways of getting the business done.

A theology of safeguarding

7 top tips

While your organisation will have a range of health and safety measures to consider in keeping people safe from Covid-19, the commitment to keeping people safe from harm and abuse has not changed. We want to encourage you to spend time in a careful and considered review of the work you have undertaken over the Covid-19 period to date.

A rise in domestic abuse?

We have seen headlines across the media about the effect that the pandemic has had on victims of domestic abuse. At the end of May, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline reported a 66% rise in the number of calls received compared to previous years. Our partner charity Restored reported that the number of visitors to its website doubled over the previous year from the period of mid-March to mid-August. Even more disturbing, we heard from Dame Vera Baird QC, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, that the number of women killed by a partner or ex-partner was five times higher than the current average.

Internal or Independent?

An internal review is when the institution being investigated is ultimately in control. Independent reviews require that the independent reviewer is ultimately in control. That difference is fundamental. Here are a few helpful factors to consider when attempting to discern whether a review is internal or independent:

Resource focus: Our helplines

This autumn we were delighted to be awarded the national quality standard for ‘outstanding’ helpline provision in the same month that we celebrated 30 years of continuous service by our Safeguarding Helpline. This national accreditation has been awarded by Helplines Partnership (the National body for helpline providers) and has been specifically developed for the helpline sector to recognise excellence and best practice in service delivery. We also run a Disclosure Helpline for our DBS users to answer questions on all matters relating to processing DBS checks.

Introducing our Advisor for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Leigh MacFarlane

Leigh McFarlane has lived and worked in both countries, I bring my context specific experience and understanding into safeguarding. My role varies a lot, from training, to advisory services, to keeping on top of legislative changes so we can keep our Scottish and Northern Irish members up to date with best practice.

Safeguarding during lockdown

As we’re faced with the unprecedented changes taking place in society one thing does not change. The need to consider best practice in safeguarding is as important now as it has ever been. There is a huge opportunity for the Church to reach out to their communities at this time, but there are also risks.

Let's Pledge Together

Earlier this year we launched a new campaign with the backing of many senior Christian leaders across the UK, encouraging church leaders and all those working or serving in Christian faith settings to stand in solidarity with victims and survivors by pledging to be part of a movement for change in how Christian churches respond to abuse.

Safeguarding training: why, when and how?

safeguarding awareness training is particularly useful to organisations as it provides information about definitions of abuse, identifying abuse and how to pass this on to the appropriate statutory authorities. The frequency of training needs to be such that workers are competent and knowledgeable in relevant legislation and practice for safeguarding this will be every 3 years.

Contextual safeguarding: Creating safer places for young people

Contextual safeguarding refers to safeguarding in places, situations and relationships outside of the family. The contextual approach stresses that we must look closely and explicitly at the context in the lives of children and young people. Churches can often be in a good place to be involved in contextual safeguarding because of their children and youth work, and also their links with the wider local community.