Here you will find our Child protection concept

Child protection concept for Helen Doron – native4kids

1. Introduction

Helen Doron Wien Erdberg / Native4kids is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children and young people who attend our courses and holiday camps. The protection of children and young people from abuse, neglect and other dangers is a special concern for us. This child protection concept is intended to provide the basis for action in the best interests of the child and serve as a guideline for all employees, volunteers and partners.

2. Objective of the child protection concept

The aim of the concept is to:

• to ensure a safe environment for all children and young people,
• raise awareness of child protection issues,
• to provide clear guidelines for dealing with possible hazardous situations,
• to ensure protection against physical, psychological and sexualised violence,
• to promote a transparent and trusting communication culture.

3. Basic principles

Helen Doron Wien Erdberg / Native4kids is committed to implementing the following basic principles:

• Respect for children’s rights: Children have the right to physical, mental and spiritual integrity.
• Trust and responsibility: All employees, partners and volunteers have a high responsibility for the well-being of children and young people and are obliged to always act in the best interests of the child.
• Transparency and openness: All parties involved (children, parents, caregivers, etc.) can rely on us to work transparently and build trust.

4. Preventive measures

In order to prevent abuse and endangerment, the following preventive measures are implemented:

• Training and awareness-raising: All employees, volunteers and cooperation partners receive mandatory training on the topics of child protection, violence prevention and de-escalating communication. Particular attention is paid to the recognition of hazardous situations and the correct strategies for action in the event of suspicion.
• Creation of a code of conduct: All employees and volunteers commit themselves to adhering to a code of conduct that defines the respectful treatment of children and young people. Corporal punishment, discrimination and inappropriate actions are strictly rejected.
• Background check: All employees and volunteers must present an extended police clearance certificate, especially for working with children and young people. This measure serves to minimise the risk of danger from criminals.
• Access controls and surveillance: The premises of the camp as well as all venues must be regularly checked for safety. Outdoor areas and areas where children could be unsupervised are monitored.
• Clear contact persons: Central contact persons for children, parents and employees are named, to whom all parties involved can turn in case of suspicion or uncertainty.

5. Rules of conduct for employees

Our employees are required to comply with the following rules of conduct:

• Preservation of privacy: The personal space and privacy of children and young people must be respected. Physical touching is only allowed in accordance with the needs of the children and in the context of care and assistance.
• Respect boundaries: Children and young people have the right to say “no” and to maintain their boundaries at any time. Employees are obliged to respect these boundaries.
• Duty of supervision: Employees are responsible for the supervision and safety of children and adolescents. This includes that all children are actively cared for in the defined program items and do not remain unsupervised.
• Avoidance of alone situations: It is avoided that individual children and adolescents are alone with an adult in a closed room. A second supervisor is called in for each interaction.

6. Dealing with suspected cases

If there is a suspicion of child endangerment or an incident of abuse, the following steps must be followed:

• Immediate reporting: Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the responsible person of trust in the camp/course. They will document the incident and make an initial assessment.
• Documentation and cooperation with the authorities: All relevant information is documented in a safe and secure system. If necessary, the incident will be clarified in cooperation with the responsible authorities (youth welfare office, police).
• Protection of the affected child: In the meantime, the affected children are protected and, if necessary, removed from the situation. Your needs and wishes are always respected.
• Support for those involved: Both the affected child and the staff receive support from professionals (e.g. psychologists, social workers) to deal with the situation appropriately.

7. Communication with parents

Parents are regularly informed about the child protection concept and safety measures:

• Information talks: Before the start of the camp/course, parents will receive information on the protective measures and the care structure on request. If necessary, they can ask questions and express concerns.
• Regular updates: During a holiday camp, parents are kept up to date on the progress and well-being of their children. An emergency contact will be set up in case there are any problems or questions during the summer camp.
• Trust and transparency: In the case of specific incidents involving the child, a confidential discussion is held with the parents in order to find solutions together.

8. Evaluation and further development

The child protection concept is regularly reviewed and adapted to new legal requirements as well as practical experience. Feedback from employees, parents and children is actively obtained and incorporated into the further development of the concept. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time!

9. Concluding remarks

Helen Doron Wien Erdberg / Native4kids is committed to ensuring the best protection for all children and young people. By implementing this child protection concept, we are sending a clear signal for a respectful, safe and positive environment in which all children can develop freely and without fear.