The Social World Podcast: Justin Humphreys CEO of Thirtyone-eight a Christian Safeguarding Charity

Justin Humphreys has over 30 years’ experience in social impact settings as a practitioner and leader in a variety of sectors. He is currently the CEO and Head of Safeguarding Development at Thirtyone:eight, the leading independent, Christian safeguarding charity operating across the United Kingdom and internationally. Established in 1977, the charity is a membership organisation and now supports in excess of 10,000 churches, charities/NGOs and others to create safer places for all through a variety od services and supports, including Criminal Records Checks, Safeguarding Helpline, Training, Consultancy, Research and Advocacy.

He has authored of a variety of books and peer reviewed journal articles, including: Understanding Child Abuse in Contemporary Times (2025), Just Leadership: putting integrity and justice at the heart of how you lead (2021), Escaping the maze of spiritual abuse (2019), Safeguarding Children who are Exposed to Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief (2019), and Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings: definition, policy and practice guidance (2018).

Justin is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FIoL), Visiting Fellow at the University of Kent (Department of Religious Studies), Honorary Lecturer at the University of Chester (School of Society) and Guest Lecturer at St. Mellitus Theological College.

He has been Chair of the Christian Forum for Safeguarding since 2017 and in co-founded the All Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities with Sarah Champion MP in 2018. He has been its Principal Advisor since that time with Thirtyone:eight acting as Secretariat.

Justin holds an MSc. in Child Protection and Strategic Management, a BSc. (Hons) in Social Work Studies, a Diploma in Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy, and is a certified Compassionate Leader with the Centre for Compassionate Leadership.

We talk widely about the awareness of safeguarding throughout faith communities as well as research and best practice.