The Synagogue Executive, Staff and volunteers of Jackson’s Row Synagogue have a significant contribution to make to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. We recognise that all staff, including volunteers, hold responsibility and an active part to play in this and in protecting our members from harm. Our Synagogue Executive, Staff and Volunteers believe that our Synagogue should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical, moral development and welfare of the individual child.
The aims of this policy are:
- To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence when they are in the synagogue.
- To raise the awareness of staff and others of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse or risk of abuse.
- To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be vulnerable or at risk of harm.
- To emphasise the need for transparent levels of communication between all members of staff and volunteers.
- To explain the system and procedure within the Synagogue which will be followed by all staff and volunteers if they are worried about a child’s welfare or if they worry the child may be being abused
- To ensure that all adults within our Synagogue who have contact with children or who have access to information, data or meetings concerning children have been checked as to their suitability via their references and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
- Our Synagogue procedures for safeguarding children will be in line with the local Authority Policy. Links will be located in the annexe section of this document.We will ensure that:
- We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who undertakes regular training in the Safeguarding of children and must have Level 3 DSL training from the Local Authority.
- Depending upon their role, all members of staff and volunteers will undergo basic safeguarding training (Level 1) to recognise potential indicators of abuse and receive regular updates of training every 3 years.
- All members of staff and volunteers who have roles involving contact with children know how to respond to a young person who makes an allegation or appears to be vulnerable or at risk.
- All members of the community should be aware of who the DSL is (via posters in the synagogue building) and can access the policy via the website and the shul office).
Full details are available from the Synagogue Office
Jackson’s Row Synagogue is committed to supporting and protecting any person who could be vulnerable, both online and elsewhere.
Safeguarding is Everybody’s business.
At Jackson’s Row Synagogue, we have a dedicated Safeguarding Officer and guidance if you are concerned about the safety and welfare of any child or adult.
We have an email which you can send any concerns to at any time – we take the welfare of all our congregants seriously and if you have a concerns no matter how small you think it might be, please get in touch. We are here to listen, and actively invite anyone with a safeguarding concern to come forward.
You can contact the Shule Office in office hours
As always, if you feel that a child or adult is at immediate risk, dial 999.
Below are some links to organisations which can also assist.
B’Shalom,
Pam Walker – Designated Safeguarding Lead, Jackson’s Row Synagogue
Email safeguarding@jacksonsrow.org
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/social-media-and-online-safety