Muslim Children in Care
The Director of Sparks Fostering (Tay Jiva MBE) has been delivering training and producing guidance for Muslim staff and service users for many years. Further information about fostering is available on this website; prospective staff can find application information here and prospective foster carers can complete a short quiz to check their eligibility here.
Tay had been writing guidance and delivering training to support Muslim foster carers and Muslim children for several years before setting up her own fostering agency, and her work with Muslim foster carers was the reason for her being honoured with an MBE.
The Sparks Fostering projects with Muslims are outlined here:
Support for Muslim service users and staff
Social work providers sometimes struggle to communicate effectively with Muslim applicants, for example, when fostering applicants express concerns about caring for children of different gender or sexual identities. The Director of Sparks Fostering (Tay Jiva MBE) offers free consultancy to fostering agencies and can also speak with the applicants directly if needed.
Live online training on the topic of ‘Supporting Muslim service users and staff’ is available for any social care provider.
FREE Guidance DOCUMENTS.
Tay has also written guidance on how professionals can support Muslim children through Ramadan.
Mosques and community centres
Khutba (sermons) and posters in mosques
Sparks Fostering has written a sermon, which can be accessed here.
A poster has also been produced for mosques and Islamic community centers. Copies of the poster can be ordered for free. Also, if someone becomes a foster carer because they saw the poster, the person who put the poster up would be given the referral fee (£1,500 to £2,000 – see here for further information about the referral fees).
If your mosque or community centre has delivered a khutba/sermon on fostering or put up a poster (either those provided above, or others), add their details to this table.
Note: The person listed as the contact is eligible for referral fees.
| Name Of Mosques | Town/City | Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Masjid e Salaam | Preston | CONFIRMED - 1st mosque to confirm that they will do the khutba and ramadan announcement! To start March 2024. They will also do events (details to be shared with their promotional materials). Contact: Ahmed Rawat (foster carer and mosque committee) - 07473552522 |
| Ashton Central Mosque | Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, Greater Manchester | INTERESTED - Br. Adam Ahmed was very keen to start. He will check with the Imam that they are fine to go ahead. Last contact 8th Nov 2023. Update requested by email 12 Dec and 6 Jan. |
| Peace Centre | Leicester | CONFIRMED - they have been interested from the start and they have now confirmed that they are on board with the project. |
| Leeds Grand Mosque | Leeds | UNCLEAR - Email with project information was sent to [email protected] on 26th Nov 2023 and 6th Jan 2024. No response yet. |
| Heart of Enfield Mosque | Enfield, North London | INTERESTED - Online seminar was attended in Sept 2023. Update requested 12 Dec and 6 Jan. |
| Jaame Masjid (Central Mosque) | Blackburn | UNCLEAR - Email with project information sent to [email protected] on 29 Aug 2023 and 6th Jan 2024. No response yet. |
| Bolton Council of Mosques | Bolton | UNCLEAR - Email with project information sent to [email protected] on 2nd Dec 2023 and 6 Jan 2024. No response yet. |
| Zakariyya Jaame Masjid | Bolton | CONFIRMED - Br. Edrees has shown great enthusiasm and support for the project. Start date and details to be confirmed in the new year. They will most likely do events alongside the khutbas. |
| Manchester Central Mosque | Manchester | UNCLEAR - Email sent with an overview of the project on 12/12/2023. Update requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Cheadle Masjid | Cheadle, Stockport, Greater Manchester | UNCLEAR - Update 6th Jan 2024 - the mosque will consider the request over the next few weeks. |
| North Manchester Jamia Masjid | Manchester | INTERESTED - They have allocated someone to liaise on the project. We are awaiting confirmation and start date. Update requested 6th Jan 2024 |
| Oldham Central Masjid and Islamic Centre | Oldham, Greater Manchester | UNCLEAR - Introductory email sent to [email protected] on 12/12/2023. Update requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Rochdale Council of Mosques | Rochdale | CONFIRMED - Very keen, have kindly offered to coordinate the work with 18 mosques in their area! |
| Central Mosque | Rochdale | UNCLEAR - Email with project outline sent to [email protected] on 12/12/2023. Response requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Eccles Mosque | Eccles, Salford | INTERESTED - A representative attended a seminar in December 2023. Update requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Ad-Duha Institute Madrassah | Birmingham | CONFIRMED - Can not do Ramadan (they are too busy), but they will start khutba from May |
| Bradford Grand Mosque | Bradford | UNCLEAR - Project information emailed to [email protected] on 26/11/2023. Update requested 6th Jan 2024 |
| Dargah Naqshbandiyya Masjid Feltham/Centre For Spirituality And Cultural Advancement | Feltham, London | CONFIRMED - Started khutba from Ramadan 2024, then May, Sept, Jan (and every 4 months thereafter) |
| World Federation | Birmingham | UNCLEAR - Email sent to [email protected] on 12/12/2023 with project overview. Update requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Masjid Tooba (Wigan Mosque) | Wigan | UNCLEAR - Have shown interest. Project information emailed on 14 Dec 2023. Update requested 6th Jan 2024. |
| Khizra mosque | Manchester | CONFIRMED - They will do khutba on 1st Friday of Ramadan, then 1st Friday of Jan, May, and Sept every year (every 4 months, starting May 2024). |
| Muslim Council of Britain | London | REFUSED - Have sent emails to several MCB staff and a few WhatsApp. No responses. So I\'ll consider the project to be refused. |
| Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) | London | UNCLEAR - They have been considering adoption/fostering work for a while now. The management board is considering the logistics etc. (Link is via Ashton Central Mosque) |
| The British Board of Scholars and Imams | London | INTERESTED - BBSI have worked with over 50 scholars (of different sects), doing extensive research on adoption and fostering, which concluded that adoption and fostering are communal obligations. We are in discussion now about whether they could write and endorse a khutba for the mosques to use. |
| Muhammadiyah House of Wisdom | Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by a local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| The Hyde Jamia Masjid | Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by a local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Iqra Learning Centre | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Al Masjid Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Islamic Centre | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Jamia Mosque | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Masjid Zeenatul Islam | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Shah Jalal Mosque | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Masjid Zeenatul Islam | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Eden Masjid & Dawah Centre | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Masjid Tawfiq | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| The Ta leem-ul-Quran Trust | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Faizan e Islam | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| Al-Madinah Jamiah Masjid & Institute | Coventry | UNCLEAR: Sparks Fostering has been asked by Coventry local authority to find foster carers in this area, so an introductory email was sent to [email protected] on 18th Dec 2023. Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 to ask if they are monitoring the email address. |
| British Islamic Medical Association | London | CONFIRMED - Enthusiastic response to the project. Discussed on phone on 18th Dec 2023. |
| Didsbury mosque | Manchester | UNCLEAR - Email sent on 6th Jan 2024 with project information. |
| City Mosque | Preston | UNCLEAR - Email sent on 6th Jan with project information |
| Liverpool Central Mosque - Masjid Al-Rahma | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6/1/2024 |
| Shah Jalal Mosque | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6/1/2024 |
| Masjid Omar Mukhtar | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6th Jan 2024 |
| Al-Taiseer Mosque | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6th Jan 2024 |
| Abdullah Quilliam Society | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6th Jan 2024 |
| Bait-ul-Lateef Mosque | Liverpool | UNCLEAR - Email sent 6 Jan 2024 |
| Masjid e Abu Bakr | Birmingham | UNCLEAR - Email sent to [email protected] on 8th Jan 2024. |
| Coventry Muslim Forum | Coventry | UNCLEAR - Email sent to [email protected] on 17th Jan to invite them to the work |
| London Islamic Cultural Society | London | INTERESTED - Br. Is\'Haaq is an Imam at the centre and will speak with the masjid President and trustees about this work |
| Alfurqan Islamic Centre | Manchester | UNCLEAR - Email sent to invite them to the project on 23/01/2024 |
| Jamia Masjid Ghausia | Dewsbury | INTERESTED - The mosque requested further information on 26th Jan. |
Islamic Teachers
There are many Muslim children in care who are living in non-Muslim homes and don’t have access to the Muslim community, including tuition about Islam. Tay (the Director of Sparks Fostering) has been approached by several social workers who have been trying to find appropriate Islamic tuition for the children in their care. The preference is usually for face to face tuition (because the children usually respond better to face to face work), but they would also consider online tuition.
Sparks Fostering would like to create a directory of appropriate tutors. If you are a tutor, add your details below – social workers will contact you directly.
Fees for tuition can be negotiated between the tutor and the social worker.
| Contact | Eligibility | Brief | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name : Shabana Sadiq Email : [email protected] Phone : 07940937752 Location Details : Manchester |
Availability Online Tuition: Yes DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2023-09-04 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
Secondary school teacher. Subject specialism is religious studies. I have experience of tutoring as well. I would be available to support with young children wherever it is needed. I have very good knowledge of Islam and world religions. |
|
|
Name : The Quran Hour Email : [email protected] Phone : 07493198190 Location Details : LONDON |
Availability Online Tuition: Yes DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2024-02-01 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
We are an online Quran teaching platform for kids that teach children and beginners how to recite the Quran the correct way. |
|
|
Name : Tay Jiva MBE Email : [email protected] Phone : 07920097834 Location Details : Manchester |
Availability Online Tuition: No DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2024-02-24 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
I'm the registered manager of Sparks Fostering. I have an MBE for recruiting Muslim foster carers and adopters. I also run this 'Muslim Homes for Children in Care' project. I offer free consultancy to social care services. |
|
|
Name : Hassan Ali Khan Email : [email protected] Phone : 07438926118 Location Details : London |
Availability Online Tuition: No DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2021-08-01 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
Experienced Tutor in secular subjects like maths and physics; some limited experience tutoring Islamic topics to friends and family; however, it is where my passion lies and I would like to do more of it. Actively seeking Islamic knowledge myself. |
|
|
Name : Sahar Rauf Email : [email protected] Phone : 07546066128 Location Details : Rochdale |
Availability Online Tuition: No DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2023-03-31 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
Primary school cover teacher. Designated safeguarding governor. Scout leader. |
|
|
Name : Is'Haaq Jasat Email : [email protected] Phone : 07983695733 Location Details : London |
Availability Online Tuition: Yes DBS Or Enhanced DBS Checked: Yes Safeguarding Training Date: 2023-02-01 Experience Of Working With Vulnerable People: Yes |
Qari Is'Haaq is the founder of the National Huffadh Association UK. |
|
Gifts for Muslim children in care
There are significant numbers of Muslim children and young adults who are going through challenges in their life and are being supported by services including social care, homeless services, and domestic violence refuges (to name a few). We can send a gift and an encouraging message to those who are struggling so they know that they are cared for.
The project is run by Tay (from Sparks Fostering, www.SparksFostering.org), with the support of Sadia (Hawa Gifts, HawaGifts.co.uk) and volunteer Sairah Yassir-Deane.
The gift pack contains a Quran speaker with night lights (usual value £40), prayer tasbeeh counter (usual value £8), a padded prayer mat, and an eid gift card with a message from the donor.
Professionals: If you work with Muslims as part of a registered support provider, you may add the details of your service user to the list below. Your email address has to be linked to a recognised provider (e.g. .gov.uk or @sparksfostering.org etc.). Do not mention to the service user that you have submitted the request because we can’t guarantee that they will receive a gift. Do not use the name, gender or identifying information in your description. Although it’s not a requirement, it would help the project if you could send a message and photo of yourself (and/or adult service users who give consent) to [email protected] when you receive the gifts.
To submit an application for the service user, Fill in this form below.
Donor: You can choose who to donate to, how much to donate, and you may leave a supportive, encouraging message for the recipient. You can even leave a team/group name so you can try to donate as many gifts as possible between yourselves.
In your message to the child, do not use your personal details, details of any organisation, or any contact information. Otherwise, your message will not be shared. You must not, under any circumstances, aim to seek direct contact with gift recipients.
Note that the main purpose of the gifts project is that the recipient feels cared for, valued, and that there are people who are praying for their success and happiness. The gift is symbolic – many recipients are in need of support and encouragement more than money.
Minimum donation is £5. Note: This is a lillah project, not zakat eligible (to the best of our knowledge).
Donations can only be taken by bank transfer to:
Acc no: 53634558
Sort code: 202620
S Faisal
