3. Reporting & Escalation
This section sets out how concerns flow through the safeguarding structure described in §2. Refer to §2 for role definitions.
3.1 Chain of Command — Reporting & Escalation
Standard concern flow
Mandatory timeframes
| Situation | Action | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Child in immediate danger | Call 999 | Immediate |
| Disclosure of abuse by a child | Log; contact RSL; consider 999/social services | Same day |
| Allegation against a volunteer (any level) | ESL → RSL → National DSL → LADO | Within 24 hours of becoming aware |
| Concern about welfare (no allegation) | ESL → RSL | Within 24 hours |
| Low-level concern (boundary issue, minor) | ESL log + email summary to RSL | Within 48 hours |
| Data breach involving safeguarding data | Notify National DSL → assess → ICO if threshold met | ICO ≤72 hours |
| Charity Commission Serious Incident threshold met | National DSL → Lead Safeguarding Trustee → Charity Commission | Promptly (Commission expects “without delay”) |
| Concern about an RSL personally | Volunteer → National DSL (bypass) | Within 24 hours |
| Concern about National DSL personally | Volunteer → Lead Safeguarding Trustee (bypass) | Within 24 hours |
| Concern about a trustee | Volunteer → Charity Commission and/or external safeguarding professional | Promptly |
Bypass routes
The chain above is the default. It must be possible to bypass it without sanction whenever:
- The concern is about someone in the chain
- The default route is unavailable (e.g. RSL on leave, no response within 24 hours)
- The concern relates to potential criminal activity (always go to police directly if needed)
Bypass routes published in every event safeguarding briefing and on the Jesus Youth UK website:
- National DSL — [name, email, phone]
- Lead Safeguarding Trustee — [name, email]
- LADO contacts for each region we operate in
- NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
- 999 / 101 / 111
Confidentiality
Information is shared on a need-to-know basis only. Within the chain:
- ESL → RSL: full factual report
- RSL → National DSL: full factual report
- National DSL → NSB: anonymised unless the case requires named discussion (and the relevant individuals have been informed, where appropriate)
- Trustees: aggregate and serious-incident summaries; named cases only when governance decision required (e.g. removal of National DSL)
The person raising a concern is told what will happen with their information and kept informed of progress as far as is appropriate. They are not promised absolute confidentiality — safeguarding duty may require sharing.
3.2 Independence and Conflicts of Interest
- The chain assumes goodwill at every level. Where it isn’t present, the bypass routes (§3.1) apply.
- The independent external member of the NSB is specifically there to challenge groupthink, particularly in faith-based settings where personal relationships are deep.
- Annual declaration of interests for National DSL, Deputy, all RSLs, all trustees, all ESLs.
- Any case involving a close relative or close friend of a chain member must be handed off to the next level up (or sideways to a peer in another region for ESL/RSL conflicts).
3.3 Whistleblowing and Complaints
Whistleblowing is when concerns relating to wrongdoing, risk or malpractice are raised within the organisation or outside the organisation.
Jesus Youth recognise the importance of acknowledging the possibility of concerns and allegations arising against their own volunteers. All volunteers have a responsibility to act and intervene when it appears that a child needs to be made safe from risk of abuse or maltreatment. Jesus Youth are committed to ensuring an environment of vigilance and those who report concerns (whistleblowers) will be taken seriously.
Concerns or complaints about misconduct or mismanagement at a Jesus Youth location should be communicated to the National Coordinator or the National Safeguarding Board, depending on the nature of the concern.
All concerns will be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and appropriate action will be taken. Where required, relevant authorities will also be notified in line with safeguarding and legal obligations.
3.4 Annual review of structure
The NSB reviews this structure annually:
- Are regions the right shape and size?
- Are RSLs adequately supported (workload, training, cover)?
- Are bypass routes being used (good — means people feel able to)?
- Is the independent NSB member still in place?
- Are there any structural gaps (e.g. an under-served region, a programme without a clear ESL)?