Judge urges social workers to pay ‘particular attention’ to child’s religion

Social workers are in danger of not appreciating the importance of children’s culture and religion in the UK’s increasingly secular society, a High Court judge has warned.

Mr Justice Baker said when children are taken from families they should, if possible, be placed with “culturally appropriate” carers.

The judge, who sits in the Family Division of the High Court and is based in London, said Muslim children should, where possible, be placed with Sunni or Shia carers in accordance with their background.

He has made comments in a ruling after being asked to make decisions about the futures of seven children from a Muslim family.

Social workers had raised concerns about the welfare of the youngsters – aged between 13 and four.

The judge decided that all seven should be placed into the care of a local authority.

He concluded that two boys had been physically abused by their parents. He found that they had been hit, punched and kicked by their father.

And he concluded that a girl had been sexually abused by two older brothers.

The judge had analysed the case at a private family court hearing in Portsmouth.

He has not identified anyone involved.

“There is a danger, in our increasingly secular society, that those responsible for looking after children in care – both foster carers and social workers – will not truly appreciate the importance of a child’s religion and culture,” he said.

“If possible, children should be placed in foster placements that are culturally appropriate.

“In the case of Muslim children, they should where possible be placed with Muslim carers, and furthermore with either Sunni or Shia carers in accordance with their own background.

“Manifestly it will not always be possible to achieve a placement that meets these requirements alongside the other welfare needs of the child.”

He said social services staff should pay “particular attention” to the religious and cultural needs of the seven children in the case he had analysed – and he said the council should fund study of the Koran.

“The allocated social worker will hold meetings with each carer … or all the carers together to discuss with them and promote the encouragement of the Muslim faith, attendance at (a) mosque and the studying of the Koran,” said the judge.

“The local authority will pay for and encourage the study of the Koran for each child if that child wishes to do so.

“The allocated social worker will support and encourage the education of carers of the children in the Muslim faith, customs and practice.”

Mr Justice Baker said the religion of the parents in the case he analysed had been a fundamental element.

“One fundamental element of the background and character of this family is their religion and culture,” said the judge.

“Both parents are devout Muslims who adhere to the tenets of their faith in the way they live.

“At home, the children were encouraged to pray and study the Koran.

“Their diet and other aspects of their lifestyle were determined by the tenets of their faith.

“The older children attended regular classes in religious education.”

He added: “In respect of the allegations of physical abuse, the father acknowledged that he was out of his depth when managing the lives of the children in modern society.”

The judge said the mother was from a Pakistani family and had been born in Britain. The father was from Kashmir.

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