Skandináv Ház Alapítvány
Child Protection Policy

 

1. Introduction

 

The Skandináv Ház Alapítvány is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, including children and young people. This Child Protection Policy represents a firm commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children, as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our organization ensures robust procedures to prevent and respond to any harm involving children. All staff, associates, and volunteers must comply with these guidelines.

 

 

2. Definitions

 

Child: Any individual below the age of 18 years.

 

Child Protection: The comprehensive framework of policies, procedures, and actions aimed at identifying, preventing, and responding to harm, abuse, or exploitation of children within our organization.

 

Harm: Any detrimental impact on a child’s physical, emotional, psychological, or social well-being. This can be caused intentionally or unintentionally and may include neglect, mistreatment, or any form of abuse.

 

Abuse: Any act or failure to act that results in actual or potential harm to a child. Abuse can take many forms, including:

  • Physical abuse: Actual or potential physical harm perpetrated by another person, adult, or child. It may involve hitting, shaking, poisoning, drowning, and burning. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
  • Emotional abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment that impacts a child’s emotional development. Emotionally abusive acts include restriction of movement, degrading, humiliating, bullying (including cyber bullying), and threatening, scaring, discriminating, ridiculing, or other non-physical forms of hostile or rejecting treatment.
  • Sexual abuse: Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities that they do not fully understand or consent to. This may include rape, oral sex, penetration, or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching. It may also involve forcing children to view or produce sexual images, watching sexual activities, and encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
  • Neglect and negligent treatment: The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, resulting in serious impairment of a child’s healthy development. It includes failure to supervise, protect from harm, or provide adequate nutrition, shelter, and safe living/working conditions.

 

Exploitation: The use of a child for unfair gain or benefit, which may include:

  • Child sexual exploitation: A form of sexual abuse where children are engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money, gifts, food, or other needs.
  • Labor exploitation: The use of children for work that endangers their health, education, or well-being.
  • Commercial exploitation: Exploitation of children for financial or material gain at the expense of their health or development.

 

Child Safeguarding: Proactive strategies to ensure children’s safety and prevent harm.

 

Child Protection Focal Point: The designated individual(s) responsible for overseeing child protection within the MyPolis project.

  • Child Safeguarding: The proactive measures and strategies put in place to create a safe and protective environment for children, emphasizing prevention and awareness to ensure their well-being.
  • Child Protection Focal Point: The designated individual(s) responsible for overseeing child protection within the MyPolis project.

 

 

3. Principles

 

Skandináv Ház Alapítvány is guided by the following principles in all interactions with children:

 

  • The best interests of the child will be paramount in all decisions and actions.
  • All children have the right to protection from harm, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Children’s voices and opinions will be actively sought and considered in matters affecting them.
  • All staff, associates, and volunteers must report any concerns immediately to the designated Child Protection Focal Point using the established reporting templates (attached to this policy).
  • Skandináv Ház Alapítvány adheres to the „do no harm” principle, ensuring that our activities promote the safety and well-being of children at all times.

 

 

4. Roles and Responsibilities

 

Child Protection Officer: The appointed Child Protection Officer is responsible for overseeing child protection efforts, maintaining policies and procedures, ensuring compliance, and responding to concerns. Currently, Veronika Varga is the designated Child Protection Officer and can be contacted at +36 209608100 or vv@skadninavhaz.hu.

 

Project Staff: All staff members must understand and adhere to this policy and report any concerns to the Child Protection Officer.

 

Participants: Participants, including young people, must treat each other with respect and report any concerns to project staff or the Child Protection Officer.

 

 

5. Code of Conduct

 

All project staff, volunteers, and participants are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

 

  • Treat all children with respect, dignity, and kindness.
  • Avoid any behavior that could be perceived as exploitative, harmful, or abusive.
  • Maintain professional boundaries with children, avoiding any behavior that could be seen as inappropriate.
  • Report any concerns or suspicions regarding child protection immediately to the designated focal point.
  • Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or physical/emotional harm toward children.

 

 

6. Recruitment, Vetting and Training

 

Recruitment: All staff, volunteers, and any other personnel working directly with children must undergo a thorough recruitment process. This includes comprehensive background checks, vetting, and verification of qualifications. These procedures apply to all personnel, regardless of their role, including volunteers and interns.

 

Vetting: Skandináv Ház Alapítvány will request criminal record certificates from all countries in which the applicant has lived or worked for more than three months in the last five years.

 

Training: Staff and volunteers will undergo mandatory training on child protection policies, reporting procedures, and best practices. Continuous training sessions will be provided annually to update staff on evolving safeguarding issues.

 

 

7. Reporting and Responding

 

  • Any concerns or suspicions related to child protection must be reported immediately to the Child Protection Officer.
  • A reporting template is attached to this policy and must be completed for each case.
  • The Child Protection Officer will:
    • Investigate the matter following established procedures.
    • Take appropriate action, which may include involving relevant authorities.
    • Ensure confidentiality while managing the situation and sharing information on a need-to-know basis.

 

 

8. Confidentiality and Data Protection

 

Confidentiality: All information related to child protection concerns will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, with details shared only with those who need to know.

 

Data Protection: Personal data will only be collected with proper consent from guardians. All data will be encrypted to ensure privacy and protection.

 

Images and Testimonies: Collection of images or testimonies (audio or film) requires the guardian’s authorization via signed consent forms.

 

 

9. Monitoring and Review

 

  • This Child Protection Policy will be reviewed annually by the Child Protection Officer to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with best practices.
  • Updates will be made as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practices, or operational needs.

 

 

10. Compliance and Implementation

 

  • All staff, volunteers, and participants must adhere to this policy, with any breaches resulting in disciplinary action.
  • Compliance will be monitored, and any breaches will be dealt with promptly.

 

 

11. Availability

 

The Child Protection Policy is available online at https://skandinavhaz.hu/cpp/.