1. Foyzul Hoque London Borough of Tower Hamlets Muslim Childrens Safeguarding Co-Ordinator 020 7364 3412

2. Despite the decline of religion in British Society, the Policy Studies Institute survey showed that religion was more central to the lives of ethnic minority groups than to the white community. Asian Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus saw religion as very important.. SSI Report 2000 Excellence not Excuses (3.14)

3. Partnership work with the Muslim Communities 36.4% of residents in Tower Hamlets classified themselves as Muslim. Making it the largest concentration of Muslim population in the country. The largest ethnic group is Bangladeshi 50% plus of all children in the Borough are Bangladeshi » (2001 census)

4. Partnership work between Council of Mosques and Childrens Social Care In 2002 after the publication of the Home Office Report Choice by Right a report on forced marriages, a multi agency steering committee was formed. Protocol for social care staff dealing with cases of forced marriages. Seminar for Imams in the Borough to raise awareness of forced marriages.

5. Cont… 2003 Conference for Imams on raising their awareness on child protection issues. As a result Imams were able to give sermons to their congregation at Friday prayers Contributed to the local authority being awarded Beacon status for community cohesion in 2003.

6. The Working with Muslim Families subgroup Consists of representative from Council of Mosques and officers form Local Authority and Health. Muslim Childrens Safeguarding Co-ordinator since 2005. –Association of Islamic Teachers –Child Protection and safeguarding children training for some 300 imams and Islamic teachers

7. Muslim Childrens Safeguarding Co- ordinator cont…. –7 madrassahs ( independent full-time religious schools ) –32 of the 45 Mosques registered with Council of Mosques. Reviewing their child protection policies, providing training and raising awareness of safeguarding issues within the mosques including Private Fostering. –Muslim Council of Britain –MCR (Ramadan Radio).

8. Since 2005 a series of seminars initially called Beginning the Dialogue but now called Continuing the Dialogue. To date the following have been organised: –In addition seminar on Domestic Violence was organised for Imams of the Borough in partnership with the Association of Islamic Teachers. Adoption and Fostering Self Harm Disabilities Mental Health Child Mental Health Domestic Violence Islamic Counselling Young Women in Tower Hamlets WWMF sub-group Parental Mental Illness Supporting Women as Parents Drugs & Alcohol Misuse

9. WWMF cont… In April 2008 Mosque and Madrassah handbook on safeguarding children was launched. Enhanced CRB checks paid for by the borough (100 in total) Workshops in the Mosques and Schools Developing links to engage Somali Muslim Community.

10. Future Work Islamic-centered counselling for Muslim Families in the Borough Group work with perpetrators of Domestic Violence Leaflets for parents - advice on choosing Islamic teachers to teach childrens Arabic at home (private tutors)