Parliamentarians from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Safeguarding in Faith Communities have launched a new inquiry to improve the protection for children in faith settings. The inquiry will specifically examine the understanding and application of the current definition of regulated activity in England and Wales. Through the inquiry, the group seeks to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and areas of risk related to the existing definition, and to identify any gaps, loopholes, or complexities it may create for faith communities and organisations. This inquiry follows recommendations made by the government’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (2022) (IICSA) which called for improved access to the barred list by removing the supervision exemption, and the Independent Review of the Disclosure and Barring Regime (2023) which recommended amending the definition of regulated activity to make it more easily understood for those that apply it.
In a call for evidence, parliamentarians are asking all stakeholders involved in the delivery of safeguarding and work with children in faith communities to share their experiences with the inquiry.
Ruth Jones MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Safeguarding in Faith Communities said: “I am pleased to be able to formally announce this new inquiry to be held by the APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities. We will be looking at the understanding and application of the definition of regulated activity with children for faith communities over the next 12 months. During this time, we will be taking written and oral evidence from a number of sources, and I would encourage anyone with relevant information to take part in the consultation. We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the final report is as detailed as possible and any recommendations are workable and robust.”
More information can be found here: https://thirtyoneeight.org/appg-inquiry/