The Welcome Directory is a multi-faith charity working to empower faith and belief communities to offer a safe and lasting welcome to prison leavers. Stepping beyond the prison gates is an incredibly challenging experience and too many people feel isolated and alone. The ethos behind the Welcome Directory is that every person deserves to belong.
This national directory of faith and belief communities, all committed to welcoming prison leavers, is a vital resource used in all prisons across England and Wales. The directory helps people to find connection and support beyond the prison gates.
Churches who register are included in directory as a welcoming church. Registration is via an online form and is absolutely free.
Do watch this film Beyond the Gates to find out more about how faith and belief communities can make such a huge difference to people rebuilding their lives after prison.
Find out more at: www.welcomedirectory.org.uk
Safeguarding
Our safeguarding team are very supportive the work of the Welcome Directory as a great way for Prison Chaplains and Probation Officers to search for churches that would welcome people wanting to continue worship once they are released from prison.
Once your church is registered, if someone contacts you via the directory, you should inform them that the referral will be shared with the safeguarding team. Once you contact the diocesan safeguarding team, they will contact the Probation Officer/Chaplain directly to identify if a safeguarding risk assessment needs to be completed.
Any referrals will follow the Managing Concerns and Allegations Guidance, recently updated and found on the Church of England website. (please note the website is not very intuitive, the relevant sections are listed on the left).
If the person is assessed to require a Safeguarding Safety Plan, it usually requires a minimum of two Church Officers to provide at a distance supervision whilst they attend services and activities. The plan is reviewed at three and six months, moving to yearly reviews once established and the meetings include; a member of the diocesan safeguarding team, plan supervisors, PSO, vicar, churchwarden and a representative from probation or police (if the person is still being managed by them) subject of the plan and their support person and/or carer.
There may also be an element of mentoring, pastoral and/or practical support required.
Webinar
The Welcome Directory also runs the Prison Awareness Course, a free webinar series to provide you with the knowledge and understanding for welcoming prison leavers appropriately. The next course starts on 27 January 2026. Click here to book and for more information about upcoming events from the Welcome Directory.
