Jesus' teaching about children shows that his concern for them is part of a wider agenda. In many ways the world's disregard for them and Jesus' wish to elevate their status is an example of the way in which he encourages us to regard others who are marginalised by society (in his day the sick, the leper, the criminal and imprisoned, the poor, the outsider).
The theological context of our work also demonstrates that it is not enough simply to address the immediate needs of individual children, (there are many reports in the Gospels of Jesus doing just that) but our work, if it is to be Kingdom business, must also be prophetic in challenging society. Jesus also addressed the structures within society that exclude and oppress its weaker members and pointed to another sort of society marked by God's justice. If it is to be true to the Kingdom programme, The Children's Society must therefore similarly challenge society as a whole to be directed by a social justice agenda.
Our current work in partnership:
- Diocese of London Youth programme
The Children's Society and the Diocese of London have been running a project to enable churches to work more effectively with the young people in their community. The project has a special emphasis on the participation of the most hard-to-reach children and young people from diverse backgrounds and different faith communities.
“The Diocese of London is very grateful for the generous and professional assistance of The Children’s Society in the development of its youth strategy and the evolution of a number of local initiatives for The Church’s work among young people. Our partnership with The Children's Society is among the most fruitful and needful contacts The Church in the Diocese of London has.” Stephan Welch, The Archdeacon of Middlesex
- The Blackburn Young Refugee project is a volunteer network from church, Faith and Community Groups working to support refugee and asylum seeking children and their families. They help them to access appropriate services such as legal representation, help in claiming benefits and school or education facilities where they are placed. Pooling their extensive time, expertise and people resources has enabled Christians in Blackburn to reach out to refugee families in a practical and sustainable way.
- Hand in Hand project, Keighley Is a new Children's Society project in partnership with the Diocese of Bradford and the Local Health Authority. The project works with children and young people who are at risk of, caught up in or trying to exit from sexual exploitation
- Our groundbreaking National Mentoring Service works within Church schools and networks to support 4000 children and young people, to develop the confidence and skills they need to make the most of their childhood and play a full part in society.
- Our new web-based schools resource, My Life, aims to help 7 to 11 year olds understand the challenges and issues faced by children and develop empathy and respect by others. So far, 10% of Church of England schools have signed up to the resource.
Training for those working with children and young people
We offer training and support to church groups and schools working with some of the most disadvantaged children and young people – refugees, children at risk on the streets, in trouble with the law or who have disabilities, those who abuse drugs and alcohol or whose parents do so – through our network of local practice.
Ministerial Education
We offer theological and practical training for those entering and working in the ordained ministry through our involvement in ministerial training programmes across dioceses.
Contact the Church Partnership Team if you are interested in any training.
