The Charity Commission has concluded an investigation into a charity that runs a Birmingham-based mosque and criticised its trustees for failing to oversee “multiple inappropriate social media posts”.
It reported that the charity Dar ul Uloom Islamia Rizwia’s “failure to use or complete its draft social media policy contributed to the issuing of multiple inappropriate social media posts by trustees and staff which resulted in the charity receiving negative media attention”.
The regulator determined the trustees’ “failure to have oversight or appropriately manage risks” with regards to the social media posts amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement.
It said the social media posts have since been deleted and an apology was issued at the time.
The trustees have now evidenced their use and adherence to a robust social media policy, the commission said, drafted in line with regulatory guidance.
Several instances of misconduct
The inquiry identified several regulatory issues, most of which were the result of a poor practice around implementing and following the charity’s own governance policies on social media use, conflicts of interest and safeguarding.
Additionally, the charity failed to file its accounts for financial years ending in March 2019 and 2020 – all of which the commission said amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement.
The regulator initially opened a compliance case into the charity in 2019 after a safeguarding incident occurred at its education centre, which was temporarily closed as a result.
It found that the charity had no safeguarding policies in place at the time of the incident, constituting a serious breach of duty.
As a result, it provided the trustees with detailed regulatory advice and guidance, requiring them to implement safeguarding measures before reopening the centre.
In November 2021, the regulator escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry after carrying out a monitoring inspection which found the charity had reopened its education centre without implementing appropriate safeguarding measures.
The commission found that the charity attempted to reopen again without complying in 2022, which it ruled amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement.
It then appointed an interim manager to undertake a governance review.
‘Trustees have taken significant steps to improve’
The regulator ordered trustees to address issues it had raised and to improve best practice around governance.
Following this intervention, the trustees closed the education centre again and took steps to address the concerns.
They provided evidence that staff Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks had been carried out, safeguarding practices had been reviewed and implemented, and that safeguarding leads had been appointed.
Further positive steps have been taken by trustees to adopt all recommendations made by the interim manager and they have evidenced their use of the regulator’s advice and guidance
The charity’s accounts have since been brought up to date.
Joshua Farbridge, head of compliance visits and inspections at the regulator, said: “Our inquiry found a number of regulatory concerns and several instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement but the trustees have taken significant steps to improve how the charity operates.
“We are now closing our inquiry with the expectation that the current trustees will continue to make necessary changes to help ensure this charity is providing a safe and trusted environment for all.
“This case demonstrates how important it is for all trustees to agree and use their charity’s internal policies. Failing to do so can leave a charity and those it serves at risk.”
Charity: ‘Investigation has been exhausting’
A spokesperson for the charity said they were grateful that the inquiry had concluded and that the outcome had been beneficial for the organisation.
“We can now move forward to serve our beneficiaries in accordance with our new governing document,” they said.
“A local community faith-based charity in a formal inquiry that has lasted in excess of three years, which included a thorough supplemental interim manager’s investigation has been exhausting for all concerned.
“We are aware that the commission has been in receipt of a significant amount of concerns and complaints which has prolonged the timeline of the inquiry, as they are duty bound to consider all enquiries received.
“We accept the findings of the inquiry, and will continue to make improvements towards governance, administration and management in the coming period.”
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