3.9 Spiritual Development

Each child's Placement Plan should show how their religious and spiritual development needs are being accounted for; with a view to encouraging and supporting them to maintain a positive regard for their background and culture, if they so choose.

In the absence of a Placement Plan, the following should be adhered to:

1. Children should be provided with balanced information and advice about their own religion and cultural background, or that of their family
2. If they wish to do so, children should be encouraged and supported to join or confirm their faith. They should also be supported to explore and choose a different faith or no faith at all
3. Children's daily routine, including their mealtimes and diet, should be amended to account for their religious and spiritual observances/needs
4. Birthdays or other celebratory days or occasions relating to children's preferred religion will be given special significance and celebrated as appropriate
5. Children should also be encouraged to explore and understand different religions and cultures to their own; this should include meeting people with different backgrounds and cultures

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