Key Activities
Because CSAN members work in many different areas of social care, so do we. To enable us to support our members within all these different work areas, CSAN focuses on three key activities which are outlined below.
WE DO...Networking and Co-ordination
Forums and/or specific interest groups. CSAN runs quarterly special interest forums, facilitating networking across the Catholic care charities within specific topic areas. These provide an environment within which members can be supported and informed as well as share how to develop best practice to improve outcomes for the most marginalised and vulnerable. Specific interest areas include care of older people and adoption. CSAN also runs time limited special project forums to undertake particular tasks to further the work of CSAN members. Special project forum topics include migration mapping and older people's care home mapping. For more info click on the menu to the right.
Coordination between members, CBCEW and other church bodies. CSAN is an independent agency which sits within the Catholic Church in England and Wales (CBCEW) Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship. CSAN ensures that there is close co-operation and collaboration between CSAN's member agencies and departments of CBCEW. CSAN participates in the social policy activities of Caritas Europa. Staff from member organisations attend meetings so that policy can be informed by the experience of practice in the UK. Relevant information is disseminated to members and CBCEW and participation is informed by a collaborative relationship with CAFOD.
Conference. CSAN hosts a two day residential conference every second year. The purpose of the conference is to allow space and time for discussion and theological reflection on issues of social justice, and the outcome is to identify future action by the Church and its agencies. Read more about the theme for the next conference.
...Theological Reflection on Catholic social teaching
CSAN believes Theological Reflection is necessary to embed service delivery in Gospel teaching and to inform any advocacy with a sound argument based on Catholic social teaching. This is undertaken through conferences/study days and publications with the support of Theologians and contacts with Catholic Higher Education Institutes. Partner institutions include:
Heythrop College
Von Hugel Institute
Newman College
Las Casas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford
...AND Advocacy
Advocacy is only undertaken when the issues affect member agencies because of their Catholicity, and not when there are other voluntary sector advocates who are better able to take up a generic issue. The circumstances under which CSAN undertakes advocacy include:
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Legislation proposed will affect Catholic agencies (who are our members)
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To correct, improve, explain Catholic agencies position to CBCEW
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To correct, improve, explain Catholic agencies position to Caritas Europa
CSAN holds mini seminars for cross party Members of Parliament who are interested in social justice. The topics for discussion at these seminars are determined by forthcoming legislation or policy to enable MPs to gain a clear understanding of Catholic social teaching on the issue. CSAN continues to build relationships with MEP's as well as MP's in Westminster on behalf of its' members.
