Date updated: Wednesday 9th October 2019

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Stone King’s Faith Bulletin. In this edition we consider how charities can create an effective safeguarding culture within their organisation, there is an immigration update and an article on a recent case where the Court considered whether a policy of restricting the provision of social housing to a certain religious community only was justified as a form of positive action. There is information about our upcoming event in London on 16th October which will consider if the traditional charity model can survive into the future as part of a high profile debate. We would love to see you there!

  • Does your charity have an effective safeguarding culture?
  • Migrant Religious Workers – An update
  • Positive action in housing policies
  • Stone King represents school in successful legal challenge against Ofsted
  • Inquiry report: Essex Islamic Academy
  • Stone King debate questions the future of charities as we know them
  • Meet the team: Lee Coley
  • Upcoming events

Does your charity have an effective safeguarding culture?

The recent inquiry report into the Birmingham Diocesan Trust (“BDT”) has once again highlighted issues relating to safeguarding and good governance. The Charity Commission launched an investigation in December 2018, after the trustees were unable to reassure it that they were managing risks to the charity’s beneficiaries promptly or robustly enough.

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Migrant Religious Workers – An update

Faith based organisations often look to sponsor religious workers from outside the EEA to enhance their experiences within the organisation. Whilst the term ‘worker’ is prescribed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which is part of the Home Office, many organisations rely upon this route to bring sisters, priests and other religious members of a congregation to the UK.

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Positive action in housing policies

The Court of Appeal held that a policy of restricting the provision of social housing to a certain religious community only was justified as a form of positive action, as it was a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aim of the charity.

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Stone King represents school in successful legal challenge against Ofsted

Stone King LLP advised King David High School, Manchester on its successful legal challenge against Ofsted after it had downgraded the School’s rating further to an inspection earlier this year.

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Inquiry report: Essex Islamic Academy

The Commission has published its inquiry report into the Essex Islamic Academy, of which Jonathan Burchfield has been the Interim Manager. Further details of Jonathan and our team’s work during this inquiry can be found here.

Stone King debate questions the future of charities as we know them

On 16 October, the Stone King debate will be asking if the traditional charity model can survive into the future as part of a high profile debate. Prominent charity experts will cut to the heart of the sector and present their cases for and against the motion: ‘to be, or not to be (a registered charity), that is the question’.

Meet the team: Lee Coley

Lee is a Partner in our Education team and specialises in a mixture of ecclesiastical, education and property matters with a particular focus on the Church of England, although he acts for other Christian denominations and faith groups.

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Upcoming events

View all upcoming events here.