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3.12.5 Spiritual Development

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to children placed in Children’s Homes and Foster Homes managed by the authority, but the principles apply to the placement of all Looked After Children. Therefore, where Looked After Children are placed with parents, relatives or friends or in placements not managed by the authority, the social worker must ensure these or other adequate procedures are applied.


Each child’s Placement Information Record should show how their religious and spiritual development needs are being accounted for, with a view to encouraging and supporting them to maintain a positive regard for their background and culture.

In the absence of a Placement Information Record, the following should be adhered to:

  1. Children should be provided with balanced information and advice about their own religion and cultural background or that of their family.
  2. Wherever possible, there should be links with resources that can provide appropriate cultural/religious/spiritual experiences.
  3. If they wish to do so, children should be encouraged and supported to access religious instruction and/or join or confirm their faith.  They should also be supported to explore and choose a different faith or no faith at all.
  4. Children’s daily routine, including their mealtimes and diet, should be amended to account for their religious and spiritual observances/needs.
  5. Birthdays or other celebratory days or occasions relating to children’s preferred religion will be given special significance and celebrated as appropriate.
  6. Children should also be encouraged to explore and understand different religions and cultures from their own; this should include meeting people with different backgrounds and cultures.

End