Principles:
The Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and RSY-Netzer are committed to promoting the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults and protecting them from harm.
We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where people can flourish.
We acknowledge that abuse can happen in all communities and that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We work in line with statutory requirements and follow best practice regarding Safeguarding.
We respect confidentiality, and follow our statutory duty to report Safeguarding concerns to relevant authorities.
Please view our detailed policy below
MRJ-RSY Safeguarding Policy 2024 (Revised Jan25)
Safeguarding Reporting:
How to report safeguarding concerns:
1. In a local synagogue or community
Individual synagogues/communities are independent charities with their own safeguarding policies and procedures.
MRJ role is to support them in developing good practice when asked to do so. You can find details of training available here.
If you have concerns about safeguarding in a local synagogue or community, contact the community’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as your first point of contact. You also have the right to report to the Local Authority or to the Police.
2. In MRJ or RSY-Netzer
If you have concerns about safeguarding in MRJ or RSY-Netzer, contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) as your first point of contact.
- Becca Fetterman (BFetterman@rjuk.org)
- Sarita Robinson (Sarita@rjuk.org)
If a DSL is unavailable, the matter is urgent, or you are unhappy with the response of the DSL, you can also report to an independent, external safeguarding specialist (Emmaus Global) to ensure independent assessment and appropriate escalation.
3. Concerns about Rabbis or Cantors
Concerns regarding Rabbis and Cantors can be referred to the DSL of their synagogue/community or organisation (if they are employed) or via the website of the Joint Ethics Committee of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors and the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors.
Referrals made via this website will be sent to Emmaus Global for external review to ensure independent assessment and appropriate escalation. You can also report directly to Emmaus: Report@emmausglobal.co.uk
Where external assessment identifies safeguarding concerns, the matter will not be referred to the clergy committee. Emmaus will undertake appropriate escalation. All decisions and referrals consider the severity of the situation, wishes of those affected and appropriate confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Direct Reporting
If you are concerned that a child or adult is being abused or is at risk of abuse by someone in their family, home or community, you can report this directly to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the details for which can be found online, or report to the Police.
You may also contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) directly when the DSL of an organisation is unavailable or if you disagree with the DSL’s decision not to refer
If there is immediate risk of harm or abuse to a child or adult, call 999