Cultural influences and safeguarding children

This article considers cultural influences in safeguarding children and discusses resources we can utilize to balance sensitivity to the family's cultural heritage, without compromising safeguarding children as our first priority.Ethnicity is defined as a group whose members identify with each other through a common heritage. Culture is the social heritage of a group, faith is a belief system which forms attitudes and behaviours and informs identity over a period of time and faith very often underpins culture. Issues of ethnicity, faith and race in safeguarding children can be challenging and it is important to develop cultural competence and educate ourselves about the relevant faiths and/or cultures in which we work to effectively protect children. General cultural issues are discussed as well as specific issues including female genital mutilation, parenting and discipline, using faith and/or culture as a way to prevent professional scrutiny, forced marriage, spirit possession and trafficked children.The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is highlighted as a framework for thinking about the complex issues that cultural difference can present and reminding us of the universal rights that all children are due.