Child Safety for Faith Leaders
Safeguarding within a religious setting. Mandatory reporting where applicable, support from thirtyone:eight, and building a culture of disclosure.
As a faith leader, you hold a position of unique trust within a community. Children may approach you with concerns they would not share with parents or teachers. That trust comes with serious responsibility: to recognise abuse, to refer it on, and to make sure your setting does not become a place where harm can hide. This guide is non-denominational and aimed at any faith leader — minister, priest, imam, rabbi, sangha leader — whose work brings them into regular contact with children. Where mandatory reporting applies (as it does to regulated activity in some settings), it is named clearly.
Why this matters
Inquiry findings — including the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) — have shown that faith settings can become environments where abuse persists when culture, structure, or deference to authority suppresses reporting. Faith leaders who build a culture where disclosure is welcomed, where safeguarding policy is visible, and where help is sought from specialist bodies such as thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS) protect the children in their care and rebuild trust where it has been lost.
Quick wins
Publish your safeguarding policy on the setting's website with a named safeguarding lead and direct contact
Time: 30 minutes
Confirm all adults working with children have a current enhanced DBS with barred list check
Time: 1 hour
Save the thirtyone:eight helpline (0303 003 1111) and the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000)
Time: 5 minutes
Common challenges
Navigating confessional or pastoral conversations where a child or adult discloses abuse
Within most denominations, pastoral confidentiality does not override the duty to safeguard a child. Be explicit at the start of any pastoral conversation that you cannot keep secret something that suggests a child is at risk of harm. Where a disclosure is made, follow your setting's policy and refer to thirtyone:eight (0303 003 1111) for specialist support.
Managing volunteer-led children's activities in a small setting
Every adult in regulated activity with children should have an enhanced DBS check with barred list. Use safer recruitment principles even for volunteers. Ensure two-adult cover for any activity with children, do not have one-to-one closed-door meetings except in specific, documented circumstances, and rotate leaders so that no individual becomes the irreplaceable point of contact for any child.
Handling a concern about a respected member of the faith community
Position, seniority, or community standing do not exempt anyone from safeguarding processes. Where an allegation has been made, refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day. Suspend any role involving children pending the outcome. thirtyone:eight can provide independent advice and support during the process.