Child protection concept for Sommercamp.wien

1. Introduction

Sommercamp.wien has set itself the task of creating a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people who take part in our vacation camps. The protection of children and young people from abuse, neglect and other dangers is of particular concern to us. This child protection concept should provide the basis for acting 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,
• provide clear guidelines for dealing with potentially dangerous situations,
• to ensure protection from physical, psychological and sexualized violence,
• to promote a transparent and trusting culture of communication.

3. basic principles

Sommercamp.wien 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 level of responsibility for the welfare of children and young people and are obliged to act in the best interests of the child at all times.
• Transparency and openness: Everyone involved (children, parents, caregivers, etc.) can rely on us to work transparently and build trust.

4. preventive measures

The following preventive measures are implemented to prevent abuse and endangerment:

• 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 recognizing situations of danger and the correct strategies for action in the event of suspicion.
• Creation of a code of conduct: All employees and volunteers undertake to comply with a code of conduct that defines respectful treatment of children and young people. Corporal punishment, discrimination and inappropriate behavior are strictly rejected.
• Background check: All employees and volunteers must provide an extended police clearance certificate, especially for work with children and young people. This measure serves to minimize the risk of danger from criminals.
• Access controls and supervision: The camp premises and all venues must be regularly checked for safety. Outdoor areas and areas where children may be unsupervised will be monitored.
• Clear contact persons: Central contact persons are appointed for children, parents and employees to whom all those involved can turn in the event of suspicions or uncertainties.

5. rules of conduct for employees

Employees at Sommercamp.wien are required to comply with the following rules of conduct:

• Maintaining privacy: The personal space and privacy of children and young people must be respected. Physical contact is only permitted 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" at any time and to maintain their boundaries. Employees are obliged to respect these boundaries. This also applies to meals, the children eat what and how much they want.
• Duty of supervision: The employees are responsible for the supervision and safety of the children and young people. This includes ensuring that all children are actively supervised and not left unattended during the specified program points.
• Avoidance of solitary situations: Individual children and young people are avoided being alone with an adult in a closed room. A second supervisor is called in for every interaction.

6. dealing with suspected cases

If there is a suspicion of a risk to a child's welfare or an incident of abuse, the following steps must be taken:

• Immediate reporting: Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the responsible person of trust in the camp. They will document the incident and make an initial assessment.
• Documentation and cooperation with the authorities: All relevant information is documented in a secure and protected system. If necessary, the incident is clarified in cooperation with the relevant authorities (youth welfare office, police).
• Protection of the affected child: The affected children are protected in the meantime and removed from the situation if necessary. Their needs and wishes are always respected.
• Support for those involved: Both the affected child and the employees receive support from specialists (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 the safety measures:

• Information sessions: Before the camp starts, parents receive information about the protective measures and the care structure. If necessary, they can ask questions and express concerns.
• Regular updates: During the 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 any problems or questions arise during the camp.
• Trust and transparency: In the event of specific incidents concerning the child, a confidential discussion is held with the parents in order to find solutions together.
• Availability: During the event, the camp management is available at all times, and also ensures that children who feel the need to speak to their parents are given the opportunity to do so.

8 Evaluation and further development

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

9. concluding remarks

Sommercamp.wien is committed to ensuring the best protection for all children and young people. By implementing this child protection concept, we set clear signals for a respectful, safe and positive environment in which all children can develop freely and without fear.