Child Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy
06.02.2026
YOUTH INCLUDED z.s.
Child Protection Policy
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Purpose & Scope
Youth Included z.s. is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who engage in our activities, programmes, events, and community work. This policy outlines the standards, responsibilities, and procedures necessary to ensure that our staff, volunteers, facilitators, and external collaborators protect children from harm, abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
This policy applies to:
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All Youth Included staff
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Volunteers, interns, facilitators, and trainers
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Contractors, subcontractors, and service providers
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Any individual representing Youth Included during events, activities, or online interactions
The policy covers all activities delivered by Youth Included, including community events, Youth Cafés, workshops, trainings, mentoring, online communication, and activities held at the ATMA space or external venues.
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Definitions
Ch¡id / Minor: Any person under 18 years of age.
Young Person: Individuals aged 1&30 participating in Youth Included activities. Staff/Representatives: All persons working on behalf of Youth Included, paid or unpaid. Safeguarding: Preventing harm, protecting children from abuse, and ensuring safe environments. Abuse: Physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, and harmful practices. Disclosure: Information shared by a child or young person regarding harm or abuse.
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Legal and Policy Framework This policy is aligned with:
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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
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Council of Europe Lanzarote Convention
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GDPR (EU 2016/679)
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Act No. 359/1999 Coll., on Social-Legal Protection of Children (Czech Republic)
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National safeguarding and child protection standards applicable to organisations working with minors
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Where different standard5 dpply, the stricter or more protective standard prevails.
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Principles
Youth Included adopts the following safeguarding principles.
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Best interests of the child are the primary considera\Jon in all actions.
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Zero tolerance for any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
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Non-discrimination regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or migration background.
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Participation and voice: Children and young people must be heard, respected, and involved in decisions affecting them.
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Do No Harm: All activities, online and offline, must reduce potential risks.
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Confidentiality: Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis; safeguarding concerns override confidentiality.
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Informed consent: Required for all media, data collection, and participation of minors.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ekaterina Kokkalou, President
Email: youthincluded@gmail.com
Responsible for:
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Oversight of safeguarding practices
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Receiving and managing internal reports
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Contacting statutory authorities when required
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Ensuring updates to the policy
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Training and support of staff and volunteers All representatives must:
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Comp!v with this policy and Code of Conduct
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Attend mandatory safeguarding induction
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Immediately report concerns or disclosures
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Maintain professional boundaries at all times
External Providers
Individuals working on Youth included activities (photographers, DJs, guest facilitators, ATMA support personnel) must:
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Follow the Code of Conduct
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Never work alone with a minor
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Obtain consent before filming/photographing
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Be briefed on safeguarding expectations
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Safer Recruitment & Vetting
Youth Included applies safer recruitment procedures, including:
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Transparent job descriptions stating safeguarding responsibilities
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Structured interviews, including safeguarding questions
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Reference checks
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Verification of identity and qualifications
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Criminal record checks when legally permissible
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Signed declaration of understanding and compliance with this policy
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training & Induction
All Youth Included representatives must receive a safeguarding induction before engaging in activities with minors. The induction includes:
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Overview of this policy
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Reporting procedures and DSL contacts
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Czech national referral pathways
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Online safety guidance
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Boundaries in communication and physical interaction
Facilitators working with somatic, dance, movement, or embodiment methods must receive specific guidance on.
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Appropriate physical contact
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Consent
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Emotional safety
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Gender- and culture-sensitive facilitation
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Code of Conduct (Mandatory)
All representatives of Youth Included must adhere to the following:
Professional Behaviour
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Treat all children and young people with dignity, respect, and fairness.
'*(outh Included
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Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
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Avoid being alone with a child; use open, observable environments.
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Do not consume alcohol or drugs during any activity involving minors. Communication
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Use appropriate, non-sexualised, non-discriminatory language.
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No private 1:1 messaging with minors on personal WhatsApp, Instagram, or other social media.
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Use monitored or group communication channels.
Physical Contact
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Only use necessary and appropriate contact (first aid, safety, facilitation demonstrations)
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Explain the purpose of any contact and respect the child's comfort.
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No hugging, touching, or physical engagement that could be misinterpreted. Prohibited Conduct
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Any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
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Humiliating, intimidating, or aggressive behaviour.
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Giving money or personal gifts directly to minors.
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Taking photographs or videos without prior consent.
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Sharing minors' images on social media without written guardian consent.
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Viewing, producing, or sharing child sexual abuse material (zero tolerance).
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Program-Specific Safeguards
Youth Events (Youth Café, workshops, trainings)
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Activities are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and youth-centered.
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Facilitators monitor group dynamics and intervene if unsafe behaviour arises.
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Staff ensure minors are not left unattended at any time. Travel & External Events
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Written parental consent is mandatory for all minors.
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Accommodation rules: minors may not share rooms with adults.
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Pre-departure briefing includes emergency contacts and behavioural expectations. Online Activities
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Use approved platforms only.
Included
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No private video calls or messaging with minors.
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Recordings only with consent and stored securely. Photos, Videos, Media
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Minors' faces cannot be publicly posted without guardian consent.
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No content that exposes a child's identity, location, or personal story.
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Special caution for refugee and migrant youth.
1o. Responding to Concerns & Reporting All concerns must be acted on immediately. If a child discloses harm:
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Listen without interruption.
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Do not ask leading questions.
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Do not promise secrecy.
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Reassure them appropriately.
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Record the disclosure using the child's words.
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Report to the DSL within 24 hours. Internal Reporting Procedure
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Staff/volunteer4 DSL (immediately)
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OSL4 decides next steps and contacts authorities if needed
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Confidential notes stored safely
When to contact authorities directly
Any staff member may contact authorities immediately if a child is at urgent risk:
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Police: 158
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Emergency: 112
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OSPOD (Social-Legat Child Protection Authori'ry): local municipal office After contacting authorities, the DSL must be informed as soon as possible.
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Data Protection, Privacy & Consent
Youth Included follows CDPR and national data protection laws. Key rules:
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Collect only necessary data.
Youth Included
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Store all safeguarding data seEurely and restrict access.
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Obtain written parenta) consent tor minors' participation, images, recordings, or interviews.
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No sharing of identifying information without consent.
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Anonymise data whenever possible.
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Monitoring & Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if required by legislative, organisational, or programmatic changes.
Youth Included tracks compliance through:
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Staff training records
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Incident (ogs
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Feedback from participants
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Annual safeguarding review