SELAH Christian advisory group
SELAH: A formal forum for discussion
Within Croydon Social Services there are a number of individuals who have benefited from a reliable pattern of consultation and partnership with local faith leaders. SELAH is a Christian advisory group that was set up by the Children's Division (now Children, Young People and Learners) in May 2005. In light of media allegations about child exorcisms in African churches, the main purpose was to advise the Director of Social Services (now Director of Adult Social Services) on faith abuse in BME communities.
The Christian advisory group comprises of the Director of Adult Social Services, Hannah Miller; the BME Practice Development Manager/Faith Co-ordinator, Velma McClymont; the Equalities and Diversity Manager, Lola Brown and local faith leaders. Significantly, SELAH acts as a formal forum for discussion where faith leaders and those working in health and social care can learn from each other and from other sources.
When and where do meetings take place?
Meetings are held on a bi-monthly basis and take place at Croydon Town Hall. By discussing cultural practices and various forms of child abuse, faith leaders are beginning to accept that they are not going to be blamed if an abuse occurs within their place of worship.
SELAH members are enthusiastic about working with social services and have welcomed the suggestion of child protection training for "designated individuals" working with children and young people in their churches. The first batch of training was rolled out in September and this will be followed by training for faith leaders in November. There will be regular briefing sessions around legislation, faith-related issues and new initiatives. A funding workshop for faith communities was facilitated in October and a second is planned for spring 2007. The genuine partnership working that is going on is evidenced by the fact that a faith-based conference is planned for later this year.
What we do
Although the primary aim of SELAH is to advise the Director of Adult Social Services, Hannah Miller, on faith-related issues, the taskforce also provides a forum for dialogue between the black majority churches in Croydon (including the communities they service and their white Christian partners) and the local authority on child protection and safeguarding. In this respect, the secondary aims are to:
- Exchange information about child protection and safeguarding;
- Inform and influence the local authority to provide culturally appropriate responses and services;
- Identify barriers/reasons for non-protective practices and culturally inappropriate services and responses;
- Address current issues for the communities that have attracted media or central government interest;
- Undertake some joint work on training and service development.
Terms of Reference
- Operating as a partnership, the group will work towards the aims outlined above;
- The group will agree to work towards multi-agency planning and better outcomes for BME children and young people;
- The group will work towards influencing the development of services for BME children and their families;
- The group will bring its work to the attention of the wider community and other agencies working with BME children and young people;
- The group will promote child protection training of all staff and volunteers working with BME children and young people;
- The group will report on its progress on a regular basis to the Children Safeguarding Board.
If you wish to find out more about SELAH or wish to join this group, please contact Velma McClymont.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Velma McClymont
- Job title
- BME Practice Development Manager/Faith Co-ordinator
- Telephone
- 020 8726 6500
- velma.mcclymont@croydon.gov.uk
- Address
- FR 4:01
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 2BA
