Latest Press Release:
24/9/21: Evangelical fostering agency lodges appeal to Supreme Court after Court of Appeal loss
Statement from Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Services in response to today’s ruling.
Pam Birtle, CEO of Cornerstone said today:
“We’re naturally disappointed that the Court of Appeal did not accept our argument that it is not the job of the courts to define what an evangelical is. But we know that by bringing this legal action we have already won more than we have lost. Ofsted’s attempt to tell us that we could not work exclusively with Christian carers was rejected by the High Court and has been even more firmly rejected by today’s Court of Appeal ruling. It refers to that attempt as “a threatened unlawful act”. (See paragraph 105 of today’s judgment.)
“The Appeal Court also ruled that the High Court judge was wrong to conclude that our policy is not a manifestation of our religion (paragraph 91). It criticised the lower court for ignoring the fact that Cornerstone carers associate with each other for mutual support (paragraph 92) in our Christian calling to provide forever families to some of the most hard to place children (paragraph 139).
“But the Court of Appeal has still overlooked the crucial fact that Cornerstone is not recruiting carers under contract to local authorities (paragraph 8). We recruit carers on our own behalf. It is the placement of children that is done on behalf of local authorities. This distinction is absolutely vital since equality law permits religious organisations to uphold their views on sexual ethics in the way they work. Without this exception thousands of religious groups would have been outlawed. We are entitled to rely on the same exception.
“Cornerstone’s trustees are unanimous that we must continue to challenge this decision and so we have lodged an application to appeal to the Supreme Court on the remaining issues in the judgment.
“We are convinced that equality law protects our ability to operate in a distinctively evangelical way. For the law to do any less would be a breach of human rights and a denial of the values of a liberal democracy.
“I do this work because I believe in it with all my heart. I was in the care system myself as a teenager and have been a social worker, foster carer and adopter over the last 40 years. I believe we are called by God Himself to show the love of Christ to all people, including people who are LGBT, through doing this work in a uniquely Christian way.
“We invite Christians to join us in praying that a better accommodation will be found that allows evangelicals to play their full part in British public life without unjust restrictions being imposed on them.”
Pam Birtle, CEO of Cornerstone said today:
“We’re naturally disappointed that the Court of Appeal did not accept our argument that it is not the job of the courts to define what an evangelical is. But we know that by bringing this legal action we have already won more than we have lost. Ofsted’s attempt to tell us that we could not work exclusively with Christian carers was rejected by the High Court and has been even more firmly rejected by today’s Court of Appeal ruling. It refers to that attempt as “a threatened unlawful act”. (See paragraph 105 of today’s judgment.)
“The Appeal Court also ruled that the High Court judge was wrong to conclude that our policy is not a manifestation of our religion (paragraph 91). It criticised the lower court for ignoring the fact that Cornerstone carers associate with each other for mutual support (paragraph 92) in our Christian calling to provide forever families to some of the most hard to place children (paragraph 139).
“But the Court of Appeal has still overlooked the crucial fact that Cornerstone is not recruiting carers under contract to local authorities (paragraph 8). We recruit carers on our own behalf. It is the placement of children that is done on behalf of local authorities. This distinction is absolutely vital since equality law permits religious organisations to uphold their views on sexual ethics in the way they work. Without this exception thousands of religious groups would have been outlawed. We are entitled to rely on the same exception.
“Cornerstone’s trustees are unanimous that we must continue to challenge this decision and so we have lodged an application to appeal to the Supreme Court on the remaining issues in the judgment.
“We are convinced that equality law protects our ability to operate in a distinctively evangelical way. For the law to do any less would be a breach of human rights and a denial of the values of a liberal democracy.
“I do this work because I believe in it with all my heart. I was in the care system myself as a teenager and have been a social worker, foster carer and adopter over the last 40 years. I believe we are called by God Himself to show the love of Christ to all people, including people who are LGBT, through doing this work in a uniquely Christian way.
“We invite Christians to join us in praying that a better accommodation will be found that allows evangelicals to play their full part in British public life without unjust restrictions being imposed on them.”
| Cornerstone Press Release 24.9.21 |
Dr David Landrum, Evangelical Alliance (EA)
18 May 2020
He speaks exclusively to The Christian Institute, which is giving legal support to Cornerstone in its High Court battle; he accused the inspectorate of using its power to promote a “secular liberalism”.
Click here to read about it.
Click here to see the video from Dr David Landrum
Click here to read about it.
Click here to see the video from Dr David Landrum
Christian Institute: 7 May 2020
OFSTED SAVAGED AT HIGH COURT FOR SAYING CHRISTIAN GROUPS SHOULD KEEP OUT OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
Christian foster agency sues Ofsted over 'discrimination'
Gabriella Swerling, 7 May 2020
A CHRISTIAN child fostering agency is suing Ofsted after being downgraded for "discriminating" against same-sex couples.
Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service has taken the watchdog to court over its findings -- in an as-yet unpublished report -- that the agency did not comply with the Equality Act by only working with evangelical Christian carers in heterosexual marriages. The foster agency claims that Ofsted "came in on a white charger" and went well beyond its powers as a regulator when considering its policies on placing children.
As judicial review proceedings began at the High Court in Leeds yesterday Aidan O'Neill QC, representing Cornerstone, said Ofsted had engaged in "regulatory overreach". He argued that the watchdog's powers were clear -- but that "they are not a champion for equality, diversity and the protection of human rights". Mr O'Neill said this role falls on the Charity Commission, which had cleared the agency, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which has made no complaint against Cornerstone.
He said: "They [Ofsted] are not the specialist regulator and they got the law wrong on this. We are not answerable to Ofsted for our religion or our religious beliefs. This is a hypothetical dispute in which there are no actual victims."
Representing Ofsted, Sir James Eadie QC said the watchdog had a duty to consider whether any organisation it was inspecting complied with "any relevant enactment".
Cornerstone, which has bases in Sunderland and Doncaster, saw its work downgraded from "good" to "requires improvement", after an inspection last year.
In a hearing held over Skype Mr Justice Julian Knowles, said: "This is a very, very important, difficult case". The hearing continues.
Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service has taken the watchdog to court over its findings -- in an as-yet unpublished report -- that the agency did not comply with the Equality Act by only working with evangelical Christian carers in heterosexual marriages. The foster agency claims that Ofsted "came in on a white charger" and went well beyond its powers as a regulator when considering its policies on placing children.
As judicial review proceedings began at the High Court in Leeds yesterday Aidan O'Neill QC, representing Cornerstone, said Ofsted had engaged in "regulatory overreach". He argued that the watchdog's powers were clear -- but that "they are not a champion for equality, diversity and the protection of human rights". Mr O'Neill said this role falls on the Charity Commission, which had cleared the agency, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which has made no complaint against Cornerstone.
He said: "They [Ofsted] are not the specialist regulator and they got the law wrong on this. We are not answerable to Ofsted for our religion or our religious beliefs. This is a hypothetical dispute in which there are no actual victims."
Representing Ofsted, Sir James Eadie QC said the watchdog had a duty to consider whether any organisation it was inspecting complied with "any relevant enactment".
Cornerstone, which has bases in Sunderland and Doncaster, saw its work downgraded from "good" to "requires improvement", after an inspection last year.
In a hearing held over Skype Mr Justice Julian Knowles, said: "This is a very, very important, difficult case". The hearing continues.
STATEMENT by CEO OF NAFP, HARVEY GALLAGHER
6 May 2020
Cornerstone NE have been members of NAFP since 2017. During that time, I have found them to be a child-focused and passionate group of people. This can be seen in their previous Ofsted inspection reports.
Within foster care, people of faith are represented more than the general population. This makes sense when we consider the motivation of most foster carers - that being to help a child. It also makes sense to me that we should aim to recruit more foster carers of faith. Of course, this should be undertaken in line with assessment practice for all prospective carers.
At the same time, prospective foster carers can choose to foster for any agency, usually one who covers their location. There is a wide range of fostering agencies. This is important because it means that carers can choose the agency that is right for them, the one that will understand them and be best placed to support them through some tough times ahead. Cornerstone NE represent a part of this important mix. A wider range of carers is good for children, who themselves have different needs and will be best matched when there is a choice.
I have no reason to doubt Cornerstone NE’s ethical base. In fact, I have found the agency to be open-minded and accepting. The contribution and commitment that I have seen them make to fostering (and adoption) is important and meets a particular need. If they were to be lost to the sector, this would be a real loss for children.
Harvey Gallagher
Chief Executive
Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
www.nafp.co.uk
Within foster care, people of faith are represented more than the general population. This makes sense when we consider the motivation of most foster carers - that being to help a child. It also makes sense to me that we should aim to recruit more foster carers of faith. Of course, this should be undertaken in line with assessment practice for all prospective carers.
At the same time, prospective foster carers can choose to foster for any agency, usually one who covers their location. There is a wide range of fostering agencies. This is important because it means that carers can choose the agency that is right for them, the one that will understand them and be best placed to support them through some tough times ahead. Cornerstone NE represent a part of this important mix. A wider range of carers is good for children, who themselves have different needs and will be best matched when there is a choice.
I have no reason to doubt Cornerstone NE’s ethical base. In fact, I have found the agency to be open-minded and accepting. The contribution and commitment that I have seen them make to fostering (and adoption) is important and meets a particular need. If they were to be lost to the sector, this would be a real loss for children.
Harvey Gallagher
Chief Executive
Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
www.nafp.co.uk
