MJC Safeguarding Policies

MOSAIC JEWISH COMMUNITY

SAFEGUARDING POLICIES

CONTENTS

Version 1.0
Introduction
Version Control
Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults
Safeguarding of Children
HaMakom safeguarding policy
DBS Checks

INTRODUCTION

Mosaic Jewish Community (MJC) provides religious services for members through the three constituent Mosaic Synagogues. We also offer a wide range of social and educational activities for members, friends, and non-members. We also run a religion school for members’ children, both pre- and post- bar and bat mitzvah, in partnership with Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community. We aim to create a positive and safe and welcoming environment with a culture of vigilance, where adults and children feel safe, secure, and listened to.  MJC, through its Board, is committed to taking an active role in promoting the safeguarding of the community.

PRINCIPLES COMMON TO OUR SAFEGUARDING POLICIES

  • Empowerment: to support members and encourage them to make their own decisions and give informed consent
  • Prevention: It is better to take action before harm occurs
  • Proportionality: the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
  • Protection: support and representation for those in greatest need
  • Partnership: local solutions through services working with their communities
  • Accountability and transparency in safeguarding practice
  • Enabling every member of staff, volunteer and congregant to access information on our safeguarding policies and procedures and to play a full and active role in meeting our safeguarding responsibilities

The application of these principles to vulnerable adult and child safeguarding policies are further described and expanded in those individual policies so that they can stand alone if required.

MJC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of MJC are the trustees of the charity and therefore are collectively responsible for the management of the charity, including its safeguarding responsibilities. The Board will nominate one member to be the first point of contact for safeguarding matters, using the email address dsl@choosemosaic.org . That person will be responsible for ensuring that our safeguarding policies are reviewed at appropriate intervals (not less frequently than annually) and are updated whenever there are relevant changes to the law, to Charity Commission guidance or to other legislative and regulatory requirements. That person will ensure that these periodic reviews include a review of effectiveness, including the impact of, and lessons learned from, any safeguarding incidents reported during the period under review.

COVERAGE

These policies are designed to apply to:

  • all the staff, volunteers, members of and visitors to Mosaic Jewish Community and all of its constituent synagogues
  • all of its activities, including religious services, social events, educational events and its Religion School, welfare and pastoral activities including home visits
  • all of its locations, including hired premises and (where appropriate) the homes of Mosaic Congregants where Mosaic mandated events are taking place

This policy is not designed to dictate the policies and procedures of Constituent Synagogues for the acceptance of applications for membership of the individual synagogues; nor to their policies and procedures for reviewing existing memberships, for example when considering the expulsion of members.  This policy is however based on the assurance that these membership policies and procedures are designed to support MJC’s safeguarding policies and that they therefore represent proportionate actions for the prevention of harm to, and the protection of, our congregants, staff and visitors.

APPROVAL

These policies have been approved by the Board of Mosaic Jewish Community, and by the Councils of its individual Constituent Synagogues.

 

VERSION CONTROL

Version Description Date
1.0 First issue, consolidating previous stand alone policies and adding Introduction and DBS checks policy November 2022

POLICY ON SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE ADULTS

Mosaic Jewish Community is committed to ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to promote the wellbeing of adults who may be at risk of harm and to respond appropriately where there is a concern that an adult at risk may have been harmed. Some adults have an increased risk of abuse, and additional barriers can exist for some adults with respect to recognising or disclosing it. We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and recognise adults’ diverse circumstances. We ensure that all adults have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.

Mosaic Jewish Community will ensure that safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practice.

All staff, volunteers and community members have a full and active part to play in protecting adults from harm.

The Mosaic Jewish Community Board takes an active role in promoting the safeguarding of the community.

Statutory Responsibilities

Section 42 Care Act 2014: Safeguarding duties apply if an adult

  • Has needs for care and support
  • Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and
  • As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself

 

What is abuse?

There are many different types of abuse:

  • Physical Abuse: includes hitting, pushing, shaking, overmedicating, restraint or the use of physical sanctions.
  • Psychological Abuse: includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, verbal abuse, humiliation, bullying, intimidation, coercion and harassment
  • Sexual Abuse: includes unwanted touching, upskirting, sexting, kissing or sexual activity, or where the vulnerable person cannot give their consent.
  • Financial Abuse: includes having money or property stolen, being defrauded, being put under pressure in relation to money or property or having money or property misused. If there is concern about financial abuse by a power of attorney for someone who lacks capacity, the safeguarding team at the Office of the Public Guardian can be contacted.
  • Discriminatory abuse: includes racist or sexist abuse and abuse based on a person’s disability or based on a person’s religious beliefs (or lack of belief).
  • Modern slavery: includes forced or compulsory labour
  • Organisational Abuse: includes neglect and poor practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation, abusive and disrespectful attitudes among staff.
  • Neglect: the repeated deprivation of help that an adult at risk needs which, if withdrawn, will cause them to suffer.
  • Domestic Abuse: includes violence, psychological, sexual, financial, emotional abuse and patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour during a relationship between intimate partners, former partners who still live together or family members.
  • Self Neglect: where an individual is unable or unwilling to provide, or obtain, adequate care for themselves, or refuses support and assistance, which could have an adverse effect on their well-being.
  • Abuse linked to faith or belief: for example, abuse linked to belief in concepts of witchcraft and spirit possession, demons or the devil, the evil one

Role of Mosaic Jewish Community

  • The Mosaic Jewish Community Board must ensure the effective implementation of the safeguarding policy
  • Ensure information and training on safeguarding is available to all employees and volunteers
  • Ensure all information in respect of safeguarding vulnerable adults is stored securely
  • A member of the board should be available to discuss queries prior, during and after a safeguarding adult protection concern has been reported.
  • Where appropriate the nominated Mosaic Jewish Community Safeguarding Lead Person (SLP) will report to statutory authorities cases of abuse, document all actions, conversations and reasons for decisions made. Each synagogue of MJC will have a named Safeguarding Lead Person (SLP) who will receive appropriate training for the role.

Action to be taken when abuse is known about or suspected

Under no circumstances should a MJC employee, volunteer or member carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Those concerned that abuse may be taking place should follow the procedures set out below:

  • Ensure safety: When a person witnesses abuse they must immediately ensure the safety of the person being abused. This may mean calling emergency services, for example the police or ambulance service.
  • Receive and Reassure: When a person discloses information, stay calm and be reassuring. Demonstrate you are glad the person told you, that you have heard what they have said and how distressing it is. Do not promise complete confidentiality as you are obliged to share concerns with certain people in order for the correct action to be taken. Explain that MJC will do their best to protect and support the person, working in conjunction with statutory services if necessary.
  • Record and Refer: The person reporting the concern should make notes of the incident and record the words the person uses and details of any bruising or injury. Clarify the basic facts, remain calm and non-judgemental. Do not press the issue if information is not forthcoming as you are an observer not an investigator. Pass this information on to the SLP as soon as possible. Record, sign and date the report by completing the Safeguarding Concern form. If the SLP is unavailable, or the complaint concerns the SLP, Rabbi or the safeguarding lead on the Mosaic Jewish Community Board should be informed. A direct referral can also be made to the Social Services Adult Care team in the area in which the person concerned lives.
  • Confidentiality: Investigations must be kept confidential and shared in a strictly limited way only with those who need to know. At MJC this would usually be the SLP, a community Rabbi and the designated safeguarding member of the member’s Synagogue. Information can be shared in line with the GDPR Data Protection act 2018 and Working Together 2018. All written accounts including rough notes and any other related material should be kept in a sealed envelope marked Confidential and retained in a locked filing cabinet in a secure location. Electronic versions of a referral must be kept in a secure folder.
  • Next steps and Possible Statutory Involvement: A risk analysis will be undertaken on the information provided by the SLP, the Rabbi and the designated member of the synagogue and a decision taken on how to proceed by them. This may be to explore the issues further with all parties concerned or to alert the local authority. The local authority has a duty to initiate an enquiry into all concerns where they think an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect and they need to establish what action may be needed. The local authority may allocate a social worker to interview the person at risk and recommend what further action needs to be taken.

Supporting Personnel involved in Adult Safeguarding

Involvement in Adult Safeguarding is stressful. MJC is committed to offering help and support to staff and volunteers who have concerns. Support can be accessed through their line manager, the SLP, a community Rabbi or a designated member of the MJC Board, if appropriate.

The Safeguarding Leads from the three MJC communities should deputise for each other if someone is on leave.

1 Supporting those affected by abuse.

The leadership is committed to offering pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate and support to all those in MJC and its constituent synagogues who have been affected by abuse. The Rabbis will take the lead in this, with support from the Safeguarding Leads as appropriate.

2 Working in partnership.

The diversity of organisations and settings means there can be a great variation in practice when it comes to safeguarding children, young people, and adults. We will discuss with all partners our safeguarding expectations.

Legal Framework related to this policy:

Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups act 2006

The Care Act 2014

 

POLICY ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

How to use this policy and procedure:

This policy and procedure document should be used in conjunction with the Harrow guidance for the CVFP (Community, Voluntary, and Faith & Private) sector.

Who the policy & procedure apply to:

This policy and procedure document applies to anyone who comes into contact with children at MJC. This includes all VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) staff and volunteers, including MJC governors, committee members, visitors, rabbis, congregants of all Mosaic synagogues, MJC staff and anyone on work placements.

This policy complements the separate policy covering HaMakom, the religion school operated by MJC in partnership with Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community. It is therefore intended to cover the safeguarding of children in contexts outside of the religion school, such as religious services, social and other educational activities.

This document will be reviewed annually.

Anyone who regularly comes into contact with children from MJC must read and familiarise themselves with the contents of this policy and procedure document.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
  • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Aims

MJC aims to ensure that:

  • We create a positive and safe environment with a culture of vigilance, where children feel safe, secure and listened to
  • All MJC staff and volunteers have the tools and training needed to safeguard all children
  • Appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare
  • All MJC staff and volunteers are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding

MJC wishes to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to promote the wellbeing of children who may be at risk of harm and to respond appropriately where there is a concern that a child at risk may have been harmed. Some children have an increased risk of abuse, and additional barriers can exist for some children with respect to recognising or disclosing it. We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and recognise children’s diverse circumstances. We ensure that all children have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.

The Nominated Safeguarding Lead Person/s (Role and Responsibilities)

It is the responsibility of the Nominated Safeguarding Lead Person (SLP) from each synagogue and his/her Deputies (if appropriate) to support all staff and volunteers in understanding this policy and procedure document and apply it in their everyday work and ensuring safe working practice guidance which all staff/volunteers have read and understood.

The SLP is the lead person to whom all safeguarding concerns and suspicions should be reported and from whom advice should be sought on all safeguarding matters.

Child Protection Policy Statement of Commitment

MJC believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility & duty of care to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

  • To protect children and young people who receive MJC services.
  • To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection; MJC believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. MJC have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe.

 

We are committed to practice in a way that protect children/young people. MJC recognises that:

 

  • the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

MJC will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing children/young people, listening to and respecting them
  • adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures See E- safety Flow chart in the Harrow Safeguarding Guidance for the CVFP sector
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers – sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  • have a child protection policy on display so that users of the service are aware of our duty of care
  • ensuring that all staff and volunteers receive the appropriate level of safeguarding training for their roles

 

Scope of this policy

This policy applies to all staff, congregants, volunteers and sessional workers, Movements’ youth workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of MJC working directly with children and young people.

Children, young people, parents/ carers are informed of the policy. The policy applies to anyone with whom we are in contact in the course of our work, who is a child or a young person.

Where the policy or procedure refers to a ‘child’ or ‘young person’ we mean anyone who has not yet reached the age of 18 years and up to 25 with learning disabilities. Please also see the MJC adult safeguarding policy.

This policy is reviewed, endorsed and approved by the MJC board annually, or when legislation changes.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that actions of staff/volunteers delivering services on behalf of MJC are transparent and promote and safeguard the welfare of all children/ young people that they encounter and are aware of their duty of care to children/young people.

This policy and procedure sets out how MJC implements safeguarding for children/ young people, with whom we come into contact in the course of our work.

MJC is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone within the Community accepts their responsibilities for safeguarding children/young people at Risk from abuse.

This means following procedures to protect them and reporting any concerns about their welfare to the appropriate authorities.

This policy and procedure helps us to achieve this by:

  • Supporting us to safeguard children, young people in practice, by defining abuse and informing us what to do
  • Ensuring we all work to the same policy and procedure
  • Making sure we are accountable for what we do
  • Being clear what roles and responsibilities we all have in safeguarding
  • Saying what staff can expect from MJC to help them work effectively

This policy is informed by and supports our organisational purpose, and is how we comply with the Harrow Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

The principles this policy is based on are:

  • The Welfare of the child /young person is paramount
  • The welfare of families will be promoted
  • The rights, wishes & feelings of children /young people & their families will be respected & listened too.
  • All children/ young people will be treated fairly in being able to access services which meet their needs, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs
  • We will take all reasonable steps to protect service users from harm, discrimination and abuse.
  • Children and families are best supported and protected when there is a co-ordinated response from all relevant agencies
  • Paid and volunteer staff should make sure that they are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, that they question the behaviour of children and parents/carers and don’t necessarily take what they are told at face value. They should make sure they know where to turn to if they need to ask for help, and refer to children’s social care or to the police, if they suspect that a child is at risk of harm or is immediate danger

Recognising the signs of abuse:

In MJC we want all staff, volunteers, placement workers and others to be aware of the need to be alert to the potential abuse of children and young people and to the main categories of abuse and other significant areas that can affect children and young people. MJC understands that it is important that we recognise and act upon concerns which are listed below.

Neglect:

MJC recognises that neglect is the failure to meet a child’s and/or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

  • provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
  • protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
  • ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
  • ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment It may also include Neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFP sector for signs and symptoms of Neglect

Physical Abuse:

MJC recognises that physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child, emotional sexual and neglect. Training should support staff/volunteers to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse.

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFP sector for signs and symptoms of physical abuse.

 

 

 

Emotional abuse:

MJC recognises that emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

It may involve conveying to children and vulnerable adults that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include

interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction.

It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying, causing children and vulnerable adults frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

Some level of Emotional Abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child and/or vulnerable adult though it may occur alone.

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector for signs and symptoms of emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse:

MJC recognises Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child, young person and/or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts.

They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children and vulnerable adults in looking at, or in the production of, sexual online images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children and vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, sexting and upskirting.

See Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector for signs and symptoms of sexual abuse.

Significant areas you will need to be aware of when working with children/young people include:

Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumours, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. See Link Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

 

 

 

Abuse of Disabled Children

Disabled children are at increased risk of abuse and those with multiple disabilities are at even more significant risk both of abuse and neglect. Parents of disabled children may experience multiple stresses. Disability is defined as:

  • A major physical impairment, severe illness and/or a moderate to severe learning difficulty
  • An ongoing high level of dependency on others for personal care and the meeting of other basic needs

See Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

E-Safety

E-Safety is defined as the safe and responsible use of technology. This includes the use of the internet and also other means of communication using electronic media (e.g. text messages, gaming devices, email etc).

In practice, e-safety is as much about behaviour as it is electronic security. E-safety in this context is classified into three areas of risk:

  • Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material
  • Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users
  • Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm. For further information see Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

Domestic Violence

Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called ‘honour killings’.

The term domestic violence is used to include any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse between people in a close relationship. It can take a number of forms such as physical assault, sexual abuse, rape, threats and intimidation. It may be accompanied by other kinds of intimidation such as degradation, mental and verbal abuse, humiliation, deprivation, systematic criticism and belittling. For further information see Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

The Nominated Lead Person will regularly consult the Green Book to identify other safeguarding issues that need to be understood by MJC in order to meet the needs of the children and families it provides services to.

MJC Safeguarding Procedures:

It is the responsibility of every member of staff / volunteer/congregant regularly involved with children, to know, understand MJC child protection policy & procedures.

To achieve good practice in our settings we will ensure the following areas are clear and put into practice:

 

Safer Recruitment & Selection

All staff/volunteers will go through the following process prior to delivering/ supporting activities/services to children/young people:

We have a policy and procedure which ensures that all potential paid staff and volunteers:

  • Complete an application form or a letter of application. This includes: address, evidence of relevant qualifications, the reasons why they want to work with children and young people, paid work and voluntary work experience and all criminal convictions.
  • Provide two pieces of identification which confirm both identity and address.
  • Undergo an interview (formal or informal) involving at least two interviewers. At least one person on the recruitment panel will be safer recruitment trained.
  • Provide at least two references which are followed up before a post is offered. One reference is from the last employer or an organisation that has knowledge of the applicant’s work or volunteering with children or young people. If the applicant has not worked with children or young people before, then they should confirm this and give an alternative referee.
  • Consent to a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally CRB check) at the appropriate level (standard or enhanced). Agree to sign up to the DBS update service.

Furthermore, MJC complies with all other safeguarding regulations:

  • We understand that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is breaking the law if they work, volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with these groups.
  • We understand that an organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.
  • We understand that if MJC dismisses a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or would have done so if they had not left, we must complete a DBS referral form See Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • MJC will have an Induction process including access to policies, procedures and code of conduct expected to be followed by all those delivering serviced on behalf of by MJC to support their work. See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • An appraisal system in place to identify any concerns or issues

Management & Support of Paid Staff & Volunteers (See also MJC adult policy)

  • All staff and volunteers are provided with a job description (paid staff) or a role profile (volunteers) outlining their main responsibilities. This includes a requirement to comply with our Safeguarding Policy and procedures and Ground rules for appropriate behaviour.
  • All staff and volunteers are supported through an Induction process in which safeguarding/child protection procedures are explained and training needs identified
  • All paid staff and volunteers complete a role review at the end of their induction period before being confirmed in post. Inductions will be completed within 6 months.
  • All paid staff in our educational settings are given supervision at least every 6 weeks by the Lead Teacher or one of the Head Teachers.
  • All volunteers in child facing settings are given regular support sessions. (This may include one to one or group support, mentoring or shadowing opportunities).
  • Implements disciplinary and grievance procedures for all paid staff and volunteers, which comply with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Code of Practice
  • All paid staff and volunteers attend regular ongoing safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
  • Volunteers in Children’s Services are expected to have completed relevant safeguarding training but in any case, children will not be left in their sole charge.
  • All paid staff and volunteers receive an induction, which includes information on all MJC’s policies and procedures

Safer working practice:

Lone Working:

MJC recognises there may be times when staff/volunteers are working alone all staff/volunteers at MJC will comply with our lone working policy and guide lines in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

We will ensure that adequate staff/volunteers are supporting activities that MJC run. We will follow the ratio guidelines stated in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector. We have a short guide to safeguarding and Children’s Services for volunteers.

All activities being provided are properly planned and organised. Planning ensures that the activities are age-appropriate, appropriately supervised, take account of staff ratios and use qualified instructors in educational settings.

  • Activities Risk Assessments are carried out prior to delivering activity sessions – see guidelines and template in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • All activities are risk assessed to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent children and young people being harmed whilst participating.
  • We will regularly assess and review safety risks which arise from premises, activities, equipment and travel arrangements, as outlined in our Health and Safety Policy.
  • Ground rules are set for appropriate behaviour for children and young people, staff, volunteers, parents and carers. Systems are in place and implemented if the ground rules are broken.
  • MJC has a Photography and Film Policy about taking and using images of children and young people. We will ensure that images of children, young people and families are only used after written permission has been obtained, and only for the purpose for which consent has been given.

Providing Safer Activities and Trips

Necessary arrangements

  • People whose suitability has not been checked, including through a DBS check must not be allowed to have unsupervised contact with children
  • All paid staff and volunteers undertaking specialist roles, (e.g., taking children and young people off site on trips) are provided with appropriate training
  • Employer’s liability and/or public liability insurance has been taken out to ensure that all activities and services and all people taking part, are covered

Transport

We ensure that our transport has:

  • Appropriate insurance cover
  • Tax and MOT
  • Appropriate seats (including booster seats and seatbelts)
  • A first aid box
  • Drivers hold the correct driving license

Responding to concerns

If any member of staff/volunteer is concerned about a child/young person they must inform the nominated safeguarding lead person (NSP) or deputy NSP immediately. Under no circumstances should a MJC employee, volunteer or member carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Those concerned that abuse may be taking place should follow the procedures set out below:

  • You must log and record information regarding concerns on the same day. See incident recording log in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • The written record must be clear precise factual account of observations or what has been said.
  • The NSP will decide on the most appropriate course of action and whether the concerns should be referred to Children Social Care. See Harrow Threshold guidance of the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector. If it is decided that a referral needs to be made to children’s social care this will be discussed with the parents, unless to do so would place the child at further risk or undermine the collection of evidence e.g., forensic evidence. All concerns and discussion and decisions will be recorded in writing.
  • If a member of staff disagrees with the level of concern and feels that a child has not been protected, then any member of staff can make a direct referral to children’s social care – please see section on escalation and challenges Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector http://www.harrowlscb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Multi-agency- resolution-ofprofessional-disagreements-Sept-2015-1.pdf

Disclosure by a Child/Young Person:

MJC recognises that a child/Young person may seek you out to share information about abuse or Neglect, or talk spontaneously, individually or in groups when you are present. In these situations, YOU MUST:

  • Listen carefully to the child/ Young person. You can seek clarification but DO NOT ask direct questions or start to investigate the matter
  • Give the child/Young Person time and your full attention.
  • Allow the child/Young person to give their account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
  • Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s/young person’s presentation as well as what was said. Do not throw this away as it may later be needed as evidence.
  • Use the child’s/young person’s own words where possible.
  • Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared – do not offer false confidentiality.

Reassure the child/ young person that:

  • they have done the right thing in telling you;
  • they have not done anything wrong;
  • Tell the child / young person what you are going to do next and explain that you will need to get help to keep him/her safe.
  • DO NOT ask the child /Young person to repeat his or her account of events to anyone

It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns.

However, in order to safeguard evidence, you must not discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances:

  • where Sexual Abuse or Sexual Exploitation is suspected
  • where organised or multiple abuse is suspected
  • where there are concerns a child may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation
  • where Fabricated or Induced Illness is suspected
  • In cases of suspect Forced Marriage (see Forced Marriage procedure Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector)
  • where contacting parents/carers would place a child, yourself or others at immediate risk

Information Required When Making a Referral Regarding a Child/Young Person:

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) will need to be contacted via the golden number for flow chart dealing with concerns about a child/young person please see the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

  • Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available).
  • Unavailability of some information or the Nominated Safeguarding Person should not stop you making a referral. Use the MASH Referral Record to do this.
  • Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking.
  • Full name and address, telephone number of family, date of birth of child /young person and siblings, any special needs.
  • Gender, ethnicity, first language, any special needs.
  • Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others.
  • The names of professionals known to be involved with the child/family and/or vulnerable adult e.g.: GP, Health Visitor, School.
  • The nature of the concern; and foundation for the concern.
  • An opinion on whether the child may need urgent action to make them safe.
  • Your view of what appears to be the needs of the child and/or vulnerable adult and their family.
  • Whether the consent of a parent with Parental Responsibility has been given to the referral being made.

Allegations against Adults Who Work with Children /Young People

If you have information which suggests an adult who works with children /young people (in a paid or unpaid capacity) has:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a children/young people
  • possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a children /young people
  • behaved towards a child /young person in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children /young people
  • You should speak immediately with your line manager or senior manager OR NAME/ROLE who has responsibility for managing allegations. The senior manager will consult with/make a referral to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the MASH Team
  • If one of those people is implicated in the concerns you should discuss your concerns directly with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the MASH Team.

Making a Referral

A referral will involve providing information of concern to the Nominated Safeguarding Lead Person (unless the concern is about the Nominated Safeguarding Person) about an Allegation against a staff/ volunteer.

The MASH will need to be contacted in order for the Local Authority Designated Officer to be informed. The LADO will make enquiries and take appropriate action provide guidance and may request for further information to be submitted.

You may be called for a meeting with the LADO. The LADO may have to speak to the Police to decide if a criminal act has taken place, in serious cases the Police may be informed and may investigate.

You will be informed of the action that will be taken by the LADO.

YOU SHOULD NOT:

  • Call a staff meeting and discuss the matter with staff/volunteers the LADO will guide you on what needs to be done.
  • You should not try and bring the perpetrator of the alleged abuse in contact with the victim/parents to discuss concerns.
  • Do not delay your response

Inability to inform parents should not prevent a referral being made. The MASH team will then decide on how and when the parents can be approached and by whom.

If a child is in immediate danger or is at harm or risk you should refer to the children’s social care and/or the police

  • In emergency dial 999
  • MASH: 020 8901 2690 between 9 am – 5pm
  • Out of Hours 5pm – 9am Emergency Duty Social Worker 020 8424 0999

Action to Be Taken Following the Referral:

MJC will ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time.

MJC put concerns in writing to the Social Care Duty & Investigation Team following the referral (within 48 hours) duty&assess@harrow.gov.uk / duty&assess@harrow.gov.uk.cjsm.net

MJC will accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and the reasons for this decision.

Confidentiality

MJC will ensure that any records made in relation to a referral are kept confidentially and in a secure place.

Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared strictly on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to the need for protection.

See information Sharing Flow chart & principles in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector If in doubt, consult with MJC NSP.

Further Guidance/Support can be obtained regarding this policy and procedure, including training, one to one policy & procedure support in house training for level 1, 2,3 from:

The Harrow Safeguarding Children Outreach Team on the following details:

Voluntary Action Harrow Safeguarding Outreach Team asiachetouani@voluntaryactionharrow.org.uk | suebush@voluntaryactionharrow.org.uk

Telephone: 020 8861 5894

Other Policies

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are an essential element of an effective safeguarding practice within MJC. Some other policies play an important role in keeping children safe. In addition, they are essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff and volunteers. Please see the MJC adult safeguarding policy which is a companion document to this policy.

MJC ensures we have key mandatory policies in place endorsed by governors/committee and reviewed annually.

 

 

Other Policies MJC Has in Place Include:

Equal Opportunities’ Policy

This policy should ensure that no child/young person is discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, economic status or ability (other than where such a distinction is an inherent part of the activity e.g. gender specific activities, religious observance or competitive sports). The policy should address both the corporate and personal responsibilities of agencies and staff, to ensure that all children are treated with respect and encourage them to respect each other.

Health and Safety Policy

A Health and Safety Policy sets out your general approach, objectives and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how.

Comments, Compliments & Complaints Policy

We have a written Comments, Compliments & Complaints Policy and procedure so that children and young people, and staff and volunteers can make any necessary comment, compliment or complaint.

Whistle Blowing

This is the confidential disclosure by any individual of any concern encountered in the workplace related to a perceived wrong doing MJC considers such wrongdoing to include:

  • General malpractice, such as immoral, illegal or unethical conduct
  • Conduct where someone’s health and safety has been put in danger
  • Gross misconduct

If individuals have concerns relating to their employment with MJC these should be raised under MJC grievance policy.

This provides a method for staff, volunteers or service users to make known any concerns that they may have about the behaviour of any other person within MJC. Such policies will detail how these matters will be handled and investigated. See MJC whistle blowing policy.

Where it is felt that MJC has not or will not address the concerns appropriately the Government’s Whistle-blowing services should be contacted via NSPCC – call 0800 028 0285 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Web link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

 

HaMakom Safeguarding Policy & Procedure

Date of Policy Implementation: April 2021

Date of next review: April 2023

How to use this policy and procedure:

This policy and procedure document should be used in conjunction with the Harrow guidance for the CVFP (Community, Voluntary, and Faith & Private) sector.

Who the policy & procedure apply to:

This policy and procedure document applies to all VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) staff and volunteers, including governors, committee members, senior management, religious leaders, students on work placements and sessional workers.

This document will be reviewed annually.

All staff and volunteers and governors, including senior management, should read and familiarise themselves with the contents of this policy and procedure document, and explore relevant resources referenced in the policy & procedure document.

Aims

HaMakom aims to ensure that:

  • We create a positive and safe environment with a culture of vigilance, where children feel safe, secure and listened to
  • All staff across the school have the tools and training needed to safeguard all children
  • Appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare
  • All staff are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding

The Nominated Safeguarding Person/s (Role and Responsibilities)

It is the responsibility of the Nominated Safeguarding Person and his/her Deputies to support all staff and volunteers in understanding this policy and procedure document and Green Book and applying it in their everyday work and ensuring safe working practice guidance which all staff/volunteers have read and understood.

The Nominated Safeguarding Person is the lead person to whom all safeguarding concerns and suspicions should be reported and from whom advice should be sought on all safeguarding matters.

Our current NSP and deputy/ies are listed below:

Viki Kenton         07939 244595

Toria Bacon        07944 409086

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
  • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Child Protection Policy Statement of Commitment

HaMakom believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility & duty of care to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

  • to protect children and young people who receive HaMakom services.
  • to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection; HaMakom believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. HaMakom have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe.

We are committed to practice in a way that protect children/young people. HaMakom recognises that:

  • the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

HaMakom will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing children/young people, listening to and respecting them
  • adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures See E- safety Flow chart in the Harrow Safeguarding Guidance for the CVFP sector
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers – sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  • have a child protection policy on display so that users of the service are aware of our duty of care
  • ensuring that all staff and volunteers receive the appropriate level of safeguarding training for their roles

Scope of this policy

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the governing body, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of HaMakom working directly with children and young people.

Children, young people, parents/ carers are informed of the policy. The policy applies to anyone with whom we are in contact in the course of our work, who is a child or a young person.

Where the policy or procedure refers to a ‘child’ or ‘young person’ we mean anyone who has not yet reached the age of 18 years and up to 25 with learning disabilities.

This policy is reviewed, endorsed and approved by the governing body annually, or when legislation changes.

The purpose of this policy

Is to ensure that actions of staff/volunteers delivering services on behalf of HaMakom are transparent and promote and safeguard the welfare of all children/ young people that they encounter and are aware of their duty of care to children/young people.

This policy and procedure sets out how HaMakom implements safeguarding for children/ young people, with whom we come into contact in the course of our work.

HaMakom is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone within the school accepts their responsibilities for safeguarding children/young people at Risk from abuse.

This means following procedures to protect them and reporting any concerns about their welfare to the appropriate authorities.

This policy and procedure helps us to achieve this by:

  • Supporting us to safeguard children, young people in practice, by defining abuse and informing us what to do
  • Ensuring we all work to the same policy and procedure
  • Making sure we are accountable for what we do
  • Being clear what roles and responsibilities we all have in safeguarding
  • Saying what staff can expect from HaMakom to help them work effectively

This policy is informed by and supports our organisational purpose, and is how we comply with the Harrow Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

The principles this policy is based on are:

  • The Welfare of the child /young person is paramount
  • The welfare of families will be promoted
  • The rights, wishes & feelings of children /young people & their families will be respected & listened too.
  • All children/ young people will be treated fairly in being able to access services which meet their needs, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs
  • We will take all reasonable steps to protect service users from harm, discrimination and abuse.
  • Children and families are best supported and protected when there is a co-ordinated response from all relevant agencies
  • Paid and volunteer staff should make sure that they are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, that they question the behaviour of children and parents/carers and don’t necessarily take what they are told at face value. They should make sure they know where to turn to if they need to ask for help, and refer to children’s social care or to the police, if they suspect that a child is at risk of harm or is immediate danger

Recognising the signs of abuse:

In HaMakom we want all Staff, volunteers, placement workers to be aware of the need to be alert to the potential abuse of children/young people & the main categories of abuse and other significant areas that can affect children & young people. HaMakom understands that it is important that we recognise and act upon concerns which are listed below.

Neglect:

HaMakom recognises that neglect is the failure to meet a child’s and/or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

  • provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
  • protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
  • ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
  • ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment It may also include Neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFP sector for signs and symptoms of Neglect

Physical Abuse:

HaMakom recognises that physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child, emotional sexual and neglect. Training should support staff/volunteers to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse.

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFP sector for signs and symptoms of physical abuse.

 

Emotional abuse:

HaMakom recognises that emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

It may involve conveying to children and vulnerable adults that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction.

It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying, causing children and vulnerable adults frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

Some level of Emotional Abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child and/or vulnerable adult though it may occur alone.

See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector for signs and symptoms of emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse:

HaMakom recognises Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child, young person and/or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts.

They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children and vulnerable adults in looking at, or in the production of, sexual online images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children and vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, sexting and upskirting.

See page Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector for signs and symptoms of sexual abuse.

Significant areas you will need to be aware of when working with children/young people include:

Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumours, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. See Link Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

Abuse of Disabled Children

Disabled children are at increased risk of abuse and those with multiple disabilities are at even more significant risk both of abuse and neglect. Parents of disabled children may experience multiple stresses. Disability is defined as:

  • A major physical impairment, severe illness and/or a moderate to severe learning difficulty
  • An ongoing high level of dependency on others for personal care and the meeting of other basic needs

See Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

E-Safety

E-Safety is defined as the safe and responsible use of technology. This includes the use of the internet and also other means of communication using electronic media (e.g. text messages, gaming devices, email etc).

In practice, e-safety is as much about behaviour as it is electronic security. E-safety in this context is classified into three areas of risk:

  • Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material
  • Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users
  • Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm. For further information see Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

Domestic Violence

Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called ‘honour killings’.

The term domestic violence is used to include any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse between people in a close relationship. It can take a number of forms such as physical assault, sexual abuse, rape, threats and intimidation. It may be accompanied by other kinds of intimidation such as degradation, mental and verbal abuse, humiliation, deprivation, systematic criticism and belittling. For further information see Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

The Nominated Lead Person will regularly consult the Green Book to identify other safeguarding issues that need to be understood by HaMakom in order to meet the needs of the children and families it provides services to.

HaMakom Safeguarding Procedures:

It is the responsibility of every member of staff / volunteer to know, understand HaMakom child protection policy & procedures.

To achieve good practice in our setting we will ensure the following areas are clear and put into practice:

Safer Recruitment & Selection

All staff/volunteers will go through the following process prior to delivering/ supporting activities/services to children/young people:

We have a policy and procedure which ensures that all potential paid staff and volunteers:

  • Complete an application form or a letter of application. This includes: address, evidence of relevant qualifications, the reasons why they want to work with children and young people, paid work and voluntary work experience and all criminal convictions.
  • Provide two pieces of identification which confirm both identity and address.
  • Undergo an interview (formal or informal) involving at least two interviewers. At least one person on the recruitment panel will be safer recruitment trained.
  • Provide at least two references which are followed up before a post is offered. One reference is from the last employer or an organisation that has knowledge of the applicant’s work or volunteering with children or young people. If the applicant has not worked with children or young people before, then they should confirm this and give an alternative referee.
  • Consent to a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally CRB check) at the appropriate level (standard or enhanced). Agree to sign up to the DBS update service.

Furthermore, HaMakom complies with all other safeguarding regulations:

  • We understand that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is breaking the law if they work, volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with these groups.
  • We understand that an organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.
  • We understand that if HaMakom dismisses a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or would have done so if they had not left, we must complete a DBS referral form See Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • HaMakom will have an Induction process including access to policies, procedures and code of conduct expected to be followed by all those delivering serviced on behalf of by HaMakom to support their work. See the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • An appraisal system in place to identify any concerns or issues

Management & Support of Paid Staff & Volunteers

  • All staff and volunteers are provided with a job description (paid staff) or a role profile (volunteers) outlining their main responsibilities. This includes a requirement to comply with our Safeguarding Policy and procedures and Ground rules for appropriate behaviour.
  • All staff and volunteers are supported through an Induction process in which safeguarding/child protection procedures are explained and training needs identified
  • All paid staff and volunteers complete a role review at the end of their induction period before being confirmed in post. Inductions will be completed within 6 months.
  • All paid staff are given supervision at least every 6 weeks by the Lead Teacher or one of the Head Teachers.
  • All volunteers are given regular support sessions. (This may include one to one or group support, mentoring or shadowing opportunities).
  • Implements disciplinary and grievance procedures for all paid staff and volunteers, which comply with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Code of Practice
  • All paid staff and volunteers attend regular ongoing safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
  • All paid staff and volunteers receive an induction, which includes information on all HaMakom’s policies and procedures

Safer working practice:

HaMakom recognises there may be times when staff/volunteers are working alone all staff/volunteers at HaMakom will comply with our lone working policy and guide lines in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector. We will ensure that adequate staff/volunteers are supporting activities that HaMakom run. We will follow the ration guidelines states in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector

All activities being provided are properly planned and organised. Planning ensures that the activities are age-appropriate, appropriately supervised, take account of staff ration and use qualified instructors.

  • Activities Risk Assessments are carried out prior to delivering activity sessions – see guidelines and template in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • All activities are risk assessed to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent children and young people being harmed whilst participating.
  • We will regularly assess and review safety risks which arise from premises, activities, equipment and travel arrangements, as outlined in our Health and Safety Policy.
  • Ground rules are set for appropriate behaviour for children and young people, staff, volunteers, parents and carers. Systems are in place and implemented if the ground rules are broken.
  • HaMakom has a Photography and Film Policy about taking and using images of children and young people. We will ensure that images of children, young people and families are only used after written permission has been obtained, and only for the purpose for which consent has been given.

Providing Safer Activities and Trips

Necessary arrangements

  • People whose suitability has not been checked, including through a DBS check must not be allowed to have unsupervised contact with children
  • All paid staff and volunteers undertaking specialist roles, (e.g. taking children and young people off site on trips) are provided with appropriate training
  • Employer’s liability and/or public liability insurance has been taken out to ensure that all activities and services and all people taking part, are covered

Transport

We ensure that our transport has:

  • Appropriate insurance cover
  • Tax and MOT
  • Appropriate seats (including booster seats and seatbelts)
  • A first aid box
  • Drivers hold the correct driving license

 

 

Responding to concerns

If any member of staff/volunteer is concerned about a child/young person they must inform the nominated safeguarding lead person (NSP) or deputy NSP immediately.

  • You must log and record information regarding concerns on the same day. See incident recording log in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector
  • The written record must be clear precise factual account of observations or what has been said.
  • The NSP will decide on the most appropriate course of action and whether the concerns should be referred to Children Social Care. See Harrow Threshold guidance of the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector. If it is decided that a referral needs to be made to children’s social care this will be discussed with the parents, unless to do so would place the child at further risk or undermine the collection of evidence e.g. forensic evidence. All concerns and discussion and decisions will be recorded in writing.
  • If a member of staff disagrees with the level of concern and feels that a child has not been protected, then any member of staff can make a direct referral to children’s social care – please see section on escalation and challenges Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector http://www.harrowlscb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Multi-agency- resolution-ofprofessional-disagreements-Sept-2015-1.pdf

Disclosure by a Child/Young Person:

HaMakom recognises that a child/Young person may seek you out to share information about abuse or Neglect, or talk spontaneously, individually or in groups when you are present. In these situations, YOU MUST:

  • Listen carefully to the child/ Young person. You can seek clarification but DO NOT ask direct questions or start to investigate the matter
  • Give the child/Young Person time and your full attention.
  • Allow the child/Young person to give their account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
  • Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s/young person’s presentation as well as what was said. Do not throw this away as it may later be needed as evidence.
  • Use the child’s/young person’s own words where possible.
  • Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared – do not offer false confidentiality.

Reassure the child/ young person that:

  • they have done the right thing in telling you;
  • they have not done anything wrong;
  • Tell the child / young person what you are going to do next and explain that you will need to get help to keep him/her safe.
  • DO NOT ask the child /Young person to repeat his or her account of events to anyone

It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns.

However, in order to safeguard evidence, you must not discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances:

  • where Sexual Abuse or Sexual Exploitation is suspected
  • where organised or multiple abuse is suspected
  • where there are concerns a child may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation
  • where Fabricated or Induced Illness is suspected
  • In cases of suspect Forced Marriage (see Forced Marriage procedure Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector)
  • where contacting parents/carers would place a child, yourself or others at immediate risk

Information Required When Making a Referral Regarding a Child/Young Person:

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) will need to be contacted via the golden number for flow chart dealing with concerns about a child/young person please see the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector.

  • Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available).
  • Unavailability of some information or the Nominated Safeguarding Person should not stop you making a referral. Use the MASH Referral Record to do this.
  • Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking.
  • Full name and address, telephone number of family, date of birth of child /young person and siblings, any special needs.
  • Gender, ethnicity, first language, any special needs.
  • Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others.
  • The names of professionals known to be involved with the child/family and/or vulnerable adult e.g.: GP, Health Visitor, School.
  • The nature of the concern; and foundation for the concern.
  • An opinion on whether the child may need urgent action to make them safe.
  • Your view of what appears to be the needs of the child and/or vulnerable adult and their family.
  • Whether the consent of a parent with Parental Responsibility has been given to the referral being made.

Allegations against Adults Who Work with Children /Young People

If you have information which suggests an adult who works with children /young people (in a paid or unpaid capacity) has:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a children/young people
  • possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a children /young people
  • behaved towards a child /young person in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children /young people
  • You should speak immediately with your line manager or senior manager who has responsibility for managing allegations. The senior manager will consult with/make a referral to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the MASH Team
  • If one of those people is implicated in the concerns you should discuss your concerns directly with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the MASH Team.

Making a Referral

A referral will involve providing information of concern to the Nominated Safeguarding Lead Person (unless the concern is about the Nominated Safeguarding Person) about an Allegation against a staff/ volunteer.

The MASH will need to be contacted in order for the Local Authority Designated Officer to be informed. The LADO will make enquiries and take appropriate action provide guidance and may request for further information to be submitted.

You may be called for a meeting with the LADO. The LADO may have to speak to the Police to decide if a criminal act has taken place, in serious cases the Police may be informed and may investigate.

You will be informed of the action that will be taken by the LADO.

YOU SHOULD NOT:

  • Call a staff meeting and discuss the matter with staff/volunteers the LADO will guide you on what needs to be done.
  • You should not try and bring the perpetrator of the alleged abuse in contact with the victim/parents to discuss concerns.
  • Do not delay your response

Inability to inform parents should not prevent a referral being made. The MASH team will then decide on how and when the parents can be approached and by whom.

If a child is in immediate danger or is at harm or risk you should refer to the children’s social care and/or the police

  • In emergency dial 999
  • MASH: 020 8901 2690 between 9 am – 5pm
  • Out of Hours 5pm – 9am Emergency Duty Social Worker 020 8424 0999

Action to Be Taken Following the Referral:

HaMakom will ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time.

HaMakom put concerns in writing to the Social Care Duty & Investigation Team following the referral (within 48 hours) duty & assess@harrow.gov.uk / duty&assess@harrow.gov.uk.cjsm.net

HaMakom will accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and the reasons for this decision.

Confidentiality

The HaMakom will ensure that any records made in relation to a referral are kept confidentially and in a secure place.

Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to the need for protection.

See information Sharing Flow chart & principles in the Harrow safeguarding guidance for the CVFS sector If in doubt, consult with HaMakom NSP.

Further Guidance/Support can be obtained regarding this policy and procedure, including training, one to one policy & procedure support in house training for level 1, 2,3 from:

The Harrow Safeguarding Children Outreach Team on the following details:

Voluntary Action Harrow Safeguarding Outreach Team asiachetouani@voluntaryactionharrow.org.uk | suebush@voluntaryactionharrow.org.uk

Telephone: 020 8861 5894

Other Policies

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are an essential element of an effective safeguarding practice within HaMakom. Some other policies play an important role in keeping children safe. In addition, they are essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff and volunteers.

HaMakom ensures we have key mandatory policies in place endorsed by governors/committee and reviewed annually.

Other Policies HaMakom Has in Place Include:

Equal Opportunities’ Policy

This policy should ensure that no child/young person is discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, economic status or ability (other than where such a distinction is an inherent part of the activity e.g. gender specific activities, religious observance or competitive sports). The policy should address both the corporate and personal responsibilities of agencies and staff, to ensure that all children are treated with respect and encourage them to respect each other.

Health and Safety Policy

A Health and Safety Policy sets out your general approach, objectives and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how.

 

Comments, Compliments & Complaints Policy

We have a written Comments, Compliments & Complaints Policy and procedure so that children and young people, and staff and volunteers can make any necessary comment, compliment or complaint.

Risk Assessment

HaMakom has a risk assessment policy to cover the weekly running of the school, plus an added Covid Risk Assessment policy. For trips and outings individual risk assessments are completed by the head teachers.

GDPR Policy

HaMakom is covered under the umbrella policies of the two funding communities – Mosaic & Kol Chai.

Whistle Blowing

This is the confidential disclosure by any individual of any concern encountered in the workplace related to a perceived wrong doing HaMakom considers such wrongdoing to include:

  • General malpractice, such as immoral, illegal or unethical conduct
  • Conduct where someone’s health and safety has been put in danger
  • Gross misconduct

If individuals have concerns relating to their employment with HaMakom these should be raised under HaMakom grievance policy.

The nominated whistle blower is Traci Spivack 07956 592642

This provides a method for staff, volunteers or service users to make known any concerns that they may have about the behaviour of any other person within HaMakom. Such policies will detail how these matters will be handled and investigated. See HaMakom whistle blowing policy.

Where it is felt that HaMakom has not or will not address the concerns appropriately the Government’s Whistle-blowing services should be contacted via NSPCC – call 0800 028 0285 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Web link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

E-Safety

E-safety policy will operate in conjunction with other policies including those for Pupil Behaviour, Bullying, Curriculum, Data Protection and Security. They are there to maintain boundaries and clear guidelines when using any form of social media or accessing the internet, whether is via mobile phone or computers.

 

 

POLICY FOR OBTAINING CHECKS FROM THE DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE

This policy is intended to enable Mosaic comply with the guidance of the Charity Commission regarding obtaining DBS checks, as well as carrying out its legal and ethical duties. It recognises that Mosaic will operate on precautionary principles, that is, when there is any uncertainty about obtaining a DBS check, or about what level check to obtain, Mosaic will act on the side of caution, obtaining a DBS check, or a check at the enhanced level, depending on the circumstances.

The table below sets out by category of person and their role in Mosaic’s activities, whether or not, and where required at what level, DBS checks will be obtained. Brief reasons are also given.

Category of person Level of DBS check Reasoning
Trustees – board directors of MJC, members of synagogue councils Enhanced DBS check They share responsibility for the management and governance of the charity / ies, including financial management in particular. They may also have access to information about children and vulnerable adults, and their position as trustees will tend to enhance their status with members of the community, who may approach them for help and advice
Rabbis, community care workers, Teachers and teaching assistants Enhanced DBS check The pastoral nature of much rabbinic work, the whole role of community care workers, teachers and teaching assistants, means enhanced checks are self-evidently necessary
Office staff, caretakers, other employed staff such as choir masters, directors of music Basic DBS check Roles are not designed to interact routinely with children and vulnerable adults, and have no material financial management duties, but may still have access to sensitive information, and clearly represent the community
Volunteers who have ongoing and frequent one-to-one contact with children and / or vulnerable adults even if that vulnerability is “temporary” e.g., during an illness, following a bereavement, or during a lockdown Enhanced DBS check The volunteers may not be part of the formal management of the community, but they are clearly representing the community in a very direct and personal way
Volunteers include those who organise social and educational events; provide catering and so on for such events, plus the kiddush rota; may sit on synagogue committees, such as ritual No DBS check Roles are not designed to interact routinely with children and vulnerable adults, and have no material financial management duties, and may only be occasional or short-term
Leading adult services, or significant parts of adult services, including on a pre-planned and repeated basis No DBS check Leading a service is a communal activity, with no one-to-one contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Participation in adult services, on an incidental, infrequent or irregular basis No DBS check Impractical to obtain DBS checks for every single member of the community who might participate in a service
Leading children’s services Basic DBS check Role designed to interact with children, but other responsible adults (parents / carers) will be present

POLICY WHERE A DBS CHECK IS NOT “CLEAN”

Where a DBS check is obtained on a (prospective) member of staff or volunteer which reveals records of convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, this is not automatically a bar to the person being / remaining employed or playing / continuing to play a role as a volunteer. Mosaic’s response will depend among other things on the nature of the conviction etc., when it occurred, whether the person has revealed it to Mosaic previously, all in the context of the role the person has applied for. The Mosaic representative recruiting for the role will take advice from the DSL and from the MJC Board member responsible for safeguarding (and if deemed necessary from others such as rabbis and synagogue chairs) on whether to proceed to recruit the person, and whether to set any restrictions on the person carrying out the role.

The exception to this general policy is where a DBS check reveals that a person is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults. Mosaic acknowledges that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is breaking the law if they work, volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with these groups. Mosaic recognises that we would also be breaking the law if we knowingly employed someone who is barred to work with those groups. This requirement does not prevent a “barred” person playing a role within the community which does not involve working with children or vulnerable adults.