Guidance

Protective security for faith communities: code of conduct

Published 13 May 2026

Introduction

1. This document sets out the standards that we expect to be met by organisations participating in the Home Office’s protective security schemes for faith communities.

2. By ‘organisation’, we refer to any location that may be eligible to apply for or receive protective security measures through these schemes, including places of worship, associated faith community centres, faith schools, other educational establishments, and other faith community sites.

3. Although organisations participating in the schemes receive protective security measures funded by the Home Office, we recognise that these organisations are independent of government and that they must be free to make fair and balanced criticism of the schemes, as well as express their own views on all matters, including wider government policy.

4. Where organisations receive protective security measures through one of the schemes, a certain level of conduct is expected as set out in this document. Please note that the examples in this document are illustrative and are not an exhaustive list.

5. Organisations that apply for the schemes should be mindful of their conduct, as well as the conduct of any individuals representing them. Organisations should avoid any behaviour that might bring their organisation or the government, by way of association with the schemes, into disrepute. They should take the opportunity to regularly review their online presence to ensure that any views or opinions expressed by them or on their behalf are still current.

6. As a general rule, organisations should ensure that they have policies and procedures in place to facilitate this approach, such as a:

a. social media policy, detailing what is and is not an appropriate use of social media for trustees, staff and volunteers, where the use of social media is on behalf of, or otherwise connected to, the organisation

b. due diligence policy, to ensure that any visiting speakers or external engagement does not bring the organisation or the government into disrepute

7. These policies do not need to be specific to the Home Office’s protective security schemes or any wider work with government and may rather form part of an organisation’s general governance.

8. This document will remain under review and will be updated as needed. We will communicate any changes that may have implications for potential applicants or organisations already participating in the schemes.

9. For any support needed in relation to any part of this code of conduct, the Home Office team can be contacted via email for advice at psvc@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Due diligence process

10. All organisations applying to the Home Office’s protective schemes for faith communities are subject to a due diligence process carried out by Home Office.^{[footnote 1]}

11. As part of this process, a number of checks are conducted on the relevant organisation. These checks may also extend to individuals connected to the organisation, such as trustees and senior staff.

12. Any concerns about an organisation or a connected individual arising out of the due diligence process that suggests the standards set out in this code of conduct are not met may render the organisation’s application unsuccessful.

13. Organisations already participating in the schemes continue to be subject to the due diligence process through periodic checks. This is to ensure that organisations continue to meet the standards as set out in this of code of conduct.

Standards

Legitimisation and endorsement of extremists

14. We acknowledge that some organisations that apply to the Home Office’s protective security schemes for faith communities may come into contact with groups or individuals of extremist concern by nature of their work. We also recognise that organisations more broadly, including private and third sector entities, as well as local authorities and other public bodies, may choose to engage with groups that the Home Office does not.

15. Ultimately, it is the decision of individual organisations as to whom they choose to engage and work with. However, organisations associated with the Home Office’s protective security schemes should avoid being seen to legitimise or endorse extremist individuals or groups. Where an event or situation requires an organisation to share a platform or otherwise be associated with extremists, they should consider carefully whether this event is appropriate to attend, and how their attendance at the event could be portrayed out of context.

16. Activities that could be seen as supporting, endorsing or legitimising extremist groups, individuals or ideologies, or which could seriously undermine the reputation of the Home Office or wider government, is likely to affect the suitability of an organisation to participate or to continue participating in the Home Office’s protective security schemes.

17. What constitutes acceptable engagement will necessarily be subjective, relying on context and a nuanced understanding of the engagement in question. Examples of engagement that will be viewed as supporting, endorsing or legitimising extremism groups, individuals or ideologies include:

a. expressing extremist views or ideologies sincerely

b. intentionally minimising extremist ideology or placing extremist individuals or groups in a neutral or positive context that seeks to disguise or obscure the extremist concern

c. engaging with extremist individuals or organisations on social media in a way that legitimises them or their views

Hateful language

18. The Home Office recognises that the organisations applying for and participating in the protective security schemes for faith communities are passionate advocates for their communities and the work they do. We also understand that many communities hold strong views on what are perceived as current or historic grievances, discrimination and transgressions against particular groups.

19. It is important that applicants participating in the schemes exercise good judgement in expressing their views, especially on sensitive issues. The line between acceptable and hateful discourse is clear.

20. The types of language that the Home Office considers unacceptable include:

a. racist or xenophobic comments

b. homophobic or transphobic comments

c. misogynistic comments

d. race or religion-based discrimination

21. In addition, organisations must take care not to make generalised statements that attribute the actions of a small minority to an entire group.

Political commentary

22. The Home Office is clear that organisations should be free to comment on and criticise government policy, as well as individual government ministers. This is also the case for the policies and members of all political parties.

23. However, organisations and their associated individuals should be careful not to bring themselves into disrepute or otherwise undermine the work of the Home Office or wider government. Foul or abusive language, personal attacks and incendiary language are considered inappropriate.

24. Should comments of concern come to the attention of the Home Office through the due diligence process or otherwise is likely to affect the suitability of an organisation to participate or to continue participating in the Home Office’s protective security schemes.

25. Organisations participating in the schemes can contact the Home Office team at any time via email at psvc@homeoffice.gov.uk to discuss any concerns relating to the schemes. Information on the Home Office’s complaints procedure is also available on GOV.UK.

26. Commentary that is abusive towards or wishes harm or death upon individuals or groups will not be tolerated and considered to be in contravention to this code of conduct.

Social media

27. Social media activity carries particular risks, and it is important that organisations applying to or participating in the Home Office’s protective security schemes for faith communities are aware of how their social media activity can affect the perception of their organisation and, by extension, the schemes and other work of the Home Office and wider government.

28. Social media policies are a matter for individual organisations, but organisations should be careful that neither their official social media channels, nor those of individuals publicly representing them, make any comments that could reflect negatively on their organisation or on the schemes.

29. Organisations and associated individuals should also be cautious about reposting content or comments made by others, as this can often be understood as endorsing the content or comments in question.

30. Organisations may also consider whether social media is an appropriate forum for discussing particular issues. Comments on social media are often influenced by factors such as character count and format, and important social cues, such as tone, are often absent. Comments on social media can be easily misunderstood or misinterpreted, and comments on sensitive topics can be misconstrued or can lack the nuance needed to suitably make a point.

31. Comments on social media can be seen by a wide audience in a short period of time. While this can be an advantage in getting your message out, it also means that any messages that reflect poorly on your organisation can reach a large number of people very quickly and, whilst they can be deleted, they may be recorded elsewhere first and may not always be easily retractable.

Providing feedback

32. The Home Office strives to improve every aspect of its protective security schemes for faith communities, and to ensure that the work is the best it can be. Organisations participating in the schemes are of great value in this respect and are well placed to comment and provide feedback on aspects of the schemes that could be improved.

33. As such, we welcome constructive comments and feedback. Should you have any concerns, comments or feedback about any aspect of the schemes, you can raise these in the first instance with the Home Office team via email at psvc@homeoffice.gov.uk

1. Please refer to the Privacy Information Notice available on GOV.UK. ↩