Limmud Child Safeguarding Policy

The safety and well-being of children is of the utmost importance to Limmud and is evident in our values. Children have the right to be protected from harm regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Limmud encourages a culture of listening to and engaging in dialogue, with children seeking their views in ways that are appropriate to their age, culture and understanding.

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England including the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and “Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018”.

Working together to safeguard children (PDF) (DfE), 2018 provides the key statutory guidance for anyone working with children. All procedures and policies pertaining to safeguarding should be regularly reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

Limmud and our community

Limmud understands the risks in terms to safeguarding given the natural of Limmud through the variety of events taking place over a year and numbers of people attending these including (but not limited to) our volunteering trainings, day and residential gatherings and virtual events.

Limmud acknowledges the additional challenges in safeguarding where many Limmud attendees know each other and thus the concern that people (children or adults) might have that “people talk”, potentially making it less likely that they would disclose or report concerns. Limmud understands these additional risks and therefore will ensure that issues of confidentiality are particularly highlighted during safeguarding training. We will ensure that all safeguarding is handled confidentially, seriously and within the guidance of the law.

Limmud’s duty and responsibility

Safeguarding of children is the duty and responsibility of all within Limmud whatever their role. This means:

• adopting the practices and behaviour we have set as our standard when carrying out their roles, and
• reporting any abuse or neglect of which they become aware to the Young & Teen Limmud (YTL) Welfare Officers/Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and/or to external authorities responsible for child protection or to police. This is regardless of whether that abuse is being perpetrated by volunteers or staff within Limmud, or by those outside of it including those from the child’s family, extended family, their family’s extended network or strangers.

Training

Limmud acknowledge that no one can expect staff and volunteers to perform those responsibilities unless they are understood. Limmud recognises the responsibility we have to the staff and volunteers to ensure they have the training and understanding to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities and keep themselves safe. It is the responsibility of our organisation to keep up to date with changes to the law and best practices and to make these changes known to all staff and volunteers.

Limmud will ensure before each event with Families or YTL activities (in person or virtually), all volunteers and staff supporting these have attended Limmud’s safeguarding training.

Limmud DSLs require a Level 3 Safeguarding qualification, renewable every three years, and also to attend a yearly one-day refresher course.  

All Limmud training in safeguarding will be given by someone who has at least a Level 3 Safeguarding qualification. This might include Limmud DSLs or external training providers.

Add policies connecting to safeguarding here:

• Code of conduct
• Complaints Handling
• Privacy & Data handling

Safe recruitment practices

All staff members and volunteers who have responsibility for working with children and are engaged in “regulated activity” as defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to have an enhanced DBS check by Limmud from within the past three years. In addition, their suitability for the role will be assessed by the Event Chairs (day events) or Chairs of Families and YTL (residential events) and the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

If an enhanced DBS check does not come back clean, depending on the nature of the offences disclosed, Limmud at its absolute discretion can prevent that person from conducting regulated activity with children; and if the person did not disclose to Limmud these previous offences prior to the DBS check, at Limmud’s absolute discretion that person can be removed from or prevented from attending Limmud events or activities.

Identification and response to concerns about abuse

Limmud recognises and understands the definitions of abuse set out in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)’ ; see appendix 2

Limmud will report and respond to instances, allegations or disclosures of abuse in order to protect children according to the procedures outlined below.

• Limmud ensures that they will make all staff and volunteers aware of the procedures for responding to the disclosure of abuse or reporting concerns.
• It is the duty of all staff and volunteers to be alert to signs of physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect of any child or adult with whom they are in contact.

Best practice when staff and volunteers receive a disclosure from a child or an adult comes to raise a concern about a child verbally is:

• Consider if you’re in a group whether to continue the conversation privately (especially with children)
• Listen carefully. Avoid asking leading questions – instead try to use phrases like “tell me more”, “could you explain that to me”, “can you describe…”
• Give the participant time and attention – don’t rush the disclosure process.
• Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information the participant has or is about to share. Offering false confidentiality puts you in a difficult position because you are likely to have to pass on what you have been told
• Allow the participant to give a spontaneous account; do not stop someone who is freely recalling significant events, even if it is to clarify something you are unsure about.
• Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the time, setting and people present. You should also take note of the participant’s physical presentation in the case of physical abuse. Make these notes as carefully as possible and do not throw them away as they may later be needed as evidence.
• Sign and date the record and add the child’s full name.
• Use the participants own words where possible – try not to change details for the sake of grammar or sentence structure as this could alter the account given.
• Once the participant has finished their account, reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you.
• Explain what’s happening next and explain that you will need to get help to keep them safe.

A staff member or volunteer having any concerns that a child may be at risk of abuse must discreetly record any relevant information received as accurately as possible without delay through Limmud’s electronic Cause for Concern form (Copy in Appendix 3), which will be reviewed by the DSL. The Cause for Concern Form is the primary method for recording and reporting concerns about a child and should be filled in in all cases where an adult has a concern about a child, regardless of if there has been a verbal disclosure.

Sometime a child may not wish to discuss further a disclosure or may only give a partial account. In this situation, it is still the duty of the adult to fill in a Cause for Concern Form (and, if they think there is a risk of immediate harm, to first directly contact the DSL). It is the DSL’s responsibility to ensure that any incidents are properly recorded and then to make a decision about whether to refer to an external agency, but Limmud understands that it is not the role of the DSL to investigate or attempt to “build a case” against any alleged perpetrator.

The DSL will make a decision about whether the cause for concern warrants a report to an external agency (i.e social services). The DSL should take advice from national experts (i.e the NSPCC) and/or Jewish communal experts (i.e Reshet) in making their decision.

Any safeguarding concern that is reported to social services or the police should be reported, with due confidentiality, to the Limmud Trustee for Safeguarding, who will at the next Limmud Board meeting inform the full Board.

If a staff member or volunteer thinks that the child is in immediate harm, they should notify the DSL straight away and then complete the Cause for Concern form. If you cannot reach the DSL, you should call Social Services or the police, depending on the nature of your concern.

Informing a Parent/Guardian

Where possible a parent/guardian will be informed before making a referral about an abuse. A risk assessment needs to be completed and if as part of this assessment it is deemed that a child may be at further risk/or concerns will be silenced if parents are informed, then parents should not be informed before a referral to an external agency is made. If the DSL believes there is a risk of immediate harm to the child, they should ring social services or the police.

Limmud Flowchart: Reporting a Disclosure or have a cause for concern:

Confidentiality

Limmud will strive to ensure children’s confidentially and only where needed for events, medical or background information will a child’s information be shared on a “need to know basis” only with staff and volunteers. All information received should be treated with discretion. 

However, they are times we cannot maintain confidentiality, including in relation to safeguarding a child. Staff and volunteer should be open and honest with the person (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will or could be shared and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. 

Any personal information gained through staff and child interactions will be treated in confidence except in any of the following circumstances:

• With the express permission of the child 
• If the child is imminently intent on causing injury to themselves or to others.
• Where the child is considered ‘at risk’ from injury or abuse by others.
• Where the child discloses abuse.
• Where not to refer information might further endanger that child or others.

All information will need to be shared with the child’s parents unless this would further endanger them or others.

Record Keeping

All records connected to disclosures, including Cause For Concern Forms, will be held securely and only DSLs and the relevant Limmud Trustee and Limmud Executive Director will have access to the information, unless it is required by law for that information to be shared more widely or the child has given their permission. All access to records is logged with name, role, date and time of access. No records should be removed unless approved. Where necessary any copies of records will be logged by the person and where it is being used, why and by who.

Allegation against Staff or Volunteers

Any allegation against a staff member or volunteer should be reported to the DSL. If the allegation is against the DSL, it should be reported to the Trustee for Safeguarding. If the allegation concerns the Limmud Trustee for Safeguarding, the Chair of Limmud Trustees and Limmud Executive Director should be informed. If the allegation concerns the Chair of Limmud Trustees for Safeguarding, the Limmud Executive Director should be informed.

Limmud will liaise with and report all allegations to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day if practical and if not within as short a space of time as possible.

Criteria to report a member of staff or volunteer to the LADO as per Barnet Council (Limmud’s Local Authority):

• They behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child 
• They possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• They behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he/she would pose a risk of harm if they work with children regularly or closely.

Limmud Flowchart: Reporting Allegation against a staff member or volunteer

Photography and Filming

Limmud is aware that it is in the nature of its events that photos and videos are taken by participants, and that these might include children. Limmud will remind all participants, staff and volunteers that they should seek the permission of a child’s parent/guardian before taking a photo of them or, if they are in the background of a photo or video, posting this on social media; and if this permission is not granted, they should delete the photo or video immediately.

Limmud’s official photographers/videographers for events will have access to the permissions that participants/parents/guardians give on signing up and will ensure that only those with permission will be in any photos/videos taken by Limmud and used publicly; all other photos/videos will be deleted.

The welfare of all volunteers and staff

Limmud recognises that safeguarding children can take an emotional toll on those, especially staff members, volunteers and DSLs, who are most involved. Limmud will ensure that their wellbeing is prioritised through, as appropriate, proper debriefing, informal mentoring and in some cases formal supervision or counselling. This is especially the case after a particularly complex or distressing incident.

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Appendix 1

Meanings and Abbreviations

• Limmud’s values: https://limmud.org/inside-limmud/mission-values/
• Child/Children – ‘Child’ means those under 18 years old including all of those up to their 18th birthday’ within the terms of the Children Act 1989.
• DSL – Designated Safeguarding Lead
• YTL – Young and Teen Limmud
• Youth Leader – also known as a Madrich/a support and lead our Young and Teen Limmud programme.
• LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer

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Appendix 2

Key Contacts for Limmud Safeguarding

• Designated Safeguarding Lead – Alanna Lewis (dsl@limmud.org)  
• Limmud Trustee Safeguarding Lead – Yehudis Fletcher (safeguardingtrustee@limmud.org)  
• Executive Director – Adam Rossano (adam@limmud.org)

Additional At Event Contacts

• Limmud Festival Families and YTL Welfare Officer(s) – should be identified at the event.
• Limmud Paramedics / First Aiders – should be identified at the event.

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Appendix 3

Links to Limmud Safeguarding document

• Limmud Flowchart: Reporting a Disclosure or have a cause for concern
• Limmud Flowchart: Reporting Allegation against a staff member or volunteer
• Cause for Concern Form
• Reporting to Limmud:
  • QR code
  • limmud.org/reporting-to-limmud/

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Appendix 4

Child Body Map

Useful template to be used for a child to explain where they have been hurt, or, for reporting and showing where marks have been seen on the child. Example of Child Body Map.pdf

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Appendix 5

Definitions of Abuse and Neglect: Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)

Abuse

A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. 

Physical Abuse

A form of abuse which 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 Abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, as well as 

Sexual Abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. 

Neglect

The persistent failure to meet a child’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); or 
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. 

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

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Appendix 6: Information Sharing Decision Flowchart

(Information Sharing – HM Government, March 2015)

Appendix 7: Useful Contacts

Abuse and Exploitation
NSPCC	0808 800 5000	Advice and support on a range of topics, with links to other services, including for exploitation.
Gangs Line	www.gangsline.com	Advice and contact information for supporting those being or at risk of exploitation and gang violence (including legal advice).
National Crime Agency	https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines	Publications and contact information to support adults and children at risk of County Lines drug exploitation.
Relationship Abuse
Disrespect Nobody	https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/	Free online resources and information with links to other agencies that can help.
National Domestic Violence Helpline	0808 2000 247	Free and confidential advice and helpline and access to refuge services.
Galop	0800 999 5428	National LGBT domestic abuse helpline for those at risk or agencies supporting them.
Survivors UK	www.survivorsuk.org 020 3322 1860	Advice and support for men over the age of 18 who have experienced sexual abuse or abuse at any time in their life.
Homelessness
Centre Point	www.centrepoint.org.uk 0808 800 0661	Youth homelessness resources and helpline for help and support.
Shelter	www.shelter.org.uk	Resources, policy and information on local services.
Mental Health
Young Minds	www.youngminds.org.uk	Advice for professionals, young people and a parent helpline.
JAMI	https://jamiuk.org/	Mental health services for the Jewish community.
Mind	www.mind.org.uk	Resources and helpline for young people, parents and professionals.
Local NHS Mental Health Services	https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Mental%20health%20support/LocationSearch/330	Search function for mental health services (child, young adult and adult) in your local area and how to contact them.
Other Services
Childline	www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111	Free, confidential advice and support for young people up to age 19 years.
Change, Grow, Live	www.changegrowlive.org	Support, prevention and early intervention for those who are abusing substances, have emotional wellbeing issues, or at risk of exploitation.
UK Youth	www.ukyouth.org	Network of voluntary organisations that provide support to young people.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection	www.ceop.police.uk	Reporting online communications and sexual abuse

POLICY MONITORING
Person Responsible for policy	Director of Operations /Designed Safeguarding Lead
Committee/Person to Approve	Safeguarding Trustee
Date of Approval	December 2025
Frequency of Review	Annually
Date of next review	October 2026