Council officer wins plaudits for safeguarding children

A COUNCIL officer has been hailed for his community cohesion work by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Shakeel Hafez, who works for Kirklees Council on issues around child protection in local Islamic schools or madrasas, was invited to 10 Downing Street as part of a special celebration with a theme of community spirit.

The Prime Minister praised “cohesion champions” working across a range of fields, both locally and nationally, who help to bring together people from different backgrounds.

Mr Hafez has worked closely with local madrasas in promoting good practice to safeguard children. He also helps to build partnerships between madrasas and mainstream schools.

There are more than 50 such schools across Kirklees – mostly for the Muslim community – catering for about 10,000 children.

Mr Hafez has produced a nationally recognised publication, called Safeguarding Children – Guidance for Madrasas and Supplementary Schools, an award-winning project described by judges as one of the best new initiatives to lead the way in social care.

The 50-page document helps supplementary schools fulfil their legal duties in relation to keeping children safe, from carrying out police checks on staff to advice on corporal punishment – the recommendation is not to allow it.

Mr Hafez, who also carries out work on the Government’s “Prevent” agenda aimed at combating extremism, said the invitation to Downing Street was a real honour.

He added: “It meant a lot to me and was recognition of the work we do to safeguard local children and young people.

“Helping to stimulate learning means young people are able to make a positive contribution to the wider society.”

Kirklees Council’s joint cabinet member for children and families, Councillor Ken Smith, said: “This is excellent news at a time when the Council has community cohesion high on its agenda in the current re-organisation of schools.

“Shakeel’s invitation to the heart of government is well deserved.

“His good work in promoting community cohesion among our young people – and in communicating that good practice throughout the UK – thoroughly warrants this national recognition.”