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CWE-CWR-04 Compassion, Welfare & Environment Community Welfare & Relief CORE Excellence v2.9.7

Partnerships with local authorities and community organisations (NGOs/VCSE)

This criterion assesses formal partnerships with local authorities and community organisations, embodying the principle of Taʿāwun (cooperation). Such collaborations are vital for Islamic excellence as they amplify community impact, avoid duplicated efforts, and ensure beneficiaries receive comprehensive, integrated support. Partnerships must uphold safeguarding, data protection, and equality duties to ensure cooperation remains within birr (righteousness). The approach applies Sadd al-dharā’iʿ (blocking means to harm) via due diligence and risk controls, and treats beneficiary data and safety as amānah (trust).

Assessment Questions
  1. How does the organization identify, select, and engage with potential partners, and what Shariah/Ethical due diligence is conducted (screening for reputation, politics, funding)?
  2. What formal agreements (MOUs) govern key partnerships, and do they include CC9 political activity boundaries?
  3. For each partnership involving data, what are the documented roles (Controller/Joint/Processor), and what is the lawful basis (Art.6) and special category condition (Art.9)?
  4. Describe the joint safeguarding arrangements: how do you verify partner safer recruitment (DBS), capability, and agree information sharing thresholds?
  5. How are shared objectives, roles, and responsibilities defined and communicated?
  6. How does the organization measure partnership effectiveness (KPIs, SLAs, outcomes)?
  7. How do you ensure Equality Act compliance in joint services (reasonable adjustments, accessible formats)?
  8. What internal financial controls (CC8) apply to shared resources?
  9. What is your partnership onboarding/offboarding and exit strategy to avoid service disruption?
Evidence Requirements
  • Partnership policy with partner selection and Shariah due diligence records (checklists, decision logs).
  • Copies of MOUs including CC9 advocacy boundaries.
  • Data protection records: Role determination (Art.26/28), Data Sharing Agreements (Art.6/9), and DPIAs.
  • Joint safeguarding protocol, safer recruitment verification logs, and training matrix.
  • Partnership onboarding/offboarding checklists and exit plans.
  • Minutes of joint meetings and quarterly reviews.
  • Referral SOP, SLA metrics, and anonymised referral logs.
  • Joint Risk Register and Relationship Management Plan.
  • Evidence of Equality Act adjustments (e.g., interpreter invoices, accessibility audits).
Scoring Guidelines
LevelRatingDescription
5 5/5 ≥3 active partners; 100% with MOU+DSA (Art.26/28)+DPIA+Safeguarding; quarterly reviews; referral SLA ≥90%; documented joint outcomes; external recognition/leadership (e.g., chairing VCSE forum, published joint protocol, formal award).
4 4/5 ≥2 partners; ≥80% with MOU+DSA; safeguarding protocol includes safer recruitment checks; quarterly reviews mostly on time; evidence of joint outcomes.
3 3/5 ≥2 partners; MOUs in place but limited DSAs/DPIAs; ad hoc reviews; limited outcome data; basic safeguarding alignment.
2 2/5 <2 partners or informal only; basic collaboration; minimal documentation.
1 1/5 No formal partnerships.

Related Criteria

CWE-CWR-01 Weekly Dignified Food Support Service (Food Bank, Pantry, or Hot Meals) CWE-CWR-02 Hardship-grant / zakāt emergency fund CWE-CWR-03 Volunteer management: hours logging, safer recruitment & safeguarding CWE-CWR-05 User-impact survey results CWE-CWR-06 Shelter/meal for homeless & travellers
Version
2.9.7 2025-11-05

Discussion (1)

Administrator 2026-03-07 11:07:59.386924

📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json

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