Policy on the Protection of Minors

STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS
Fundacja Nie Musi Boleć
Policy for protecting children from harm

1. Introduction

Fundacja Nie Musi Bolec works for children and their families, focusing on chronic pain treatment and improving the quality of life of children living with illness. The welfare of the child is the most important value in our everyday work. For this reason, we adopt this Policy on the Protection of Minors, which aims to ensure the safety of children receiving support from the Foundation and to prevent all forms of harm.

2. Scope of the policy

This policy applies to all employees of the Foundation, associates, volunteers and third parties acting on behalf of the Foundation or with its support.

3. Definitions

• Minor – a person under 18 years of age.
• Harm – any actions or omissions directed at a child that violate the child’s rights or dignity, or expose the child to physical, psychological or sexual violence, or neglect.

4. Principles of child protection

1. Every child has the right to safety, respect for dignity and protection from violence.
2. We respond to every suspicion that a child may be harmed.
3. We cooperate with child protection services, including the police, prosecutor’s office, social welfare centers and the family court.
4. We take preventive action through staff training and education.
5. We ensure confidentiality of information concerning children and their families.

5. Procedures for responding to harm

1. Every employee, volunteer or associate of the Foundation who notices signs of harm or receives information about such a case is obliged to:
   • immediately inform the Child Safeguarding Coordinator (CSC), Anna Łotowska-Ćwiklewska, MD,
   • prepare a written official note containing a description of the situation, date, time, place, details of the reporting person and details of the child (if known),
   • secure the child (for example by ensuring calm and the presence of a familiar adult) until further steps are taken.
2. The Child Safeguarding Coordinator:
   • analyzes the situation and, if needed, talks to the people involved,
   • decides whether to notify the relevant institutions (social welfare center, police, prosecutor’s office),
   • supervises the documentation of the report and the further course of proceedings,
   • in ambiguous cases, consults the matter with a lawyer cooperating with the Foundation.
3. If there is an immediate threat to the life or health of a child:
   • the person witnessing such a threat is obliged to immediately notify the appropriate emergency services: 112 (police/medical emergency service), and then the CSC.
4. All cases and reports are documented in the „Register of reports concerning child safety” maintained by the Coordinator.
5. In the case of reports concerning a person employed by the Foundation, the Management Board decides whether to:
   • suspend the person from performing duties until the matter is clarified,
   • conduct an internal explanatory procedure,
   • refer the matter to the appropriate authorities.

6. Safe recruitment rules

1. The Foundation verifies people working with children in the Register of Sex Offenders.
2. Candidates must submit a declaration of no criminal record and provide a current certificate of no criminal record from the National Criminal Register.

7. Training and education

1. The Foundation provides regular child protection training for employees and volunteers.
2. Child protection is part of the initial onboarding training for new staff.

8. Monitoring and policy review

1. The policy is reviewed and updated every year.
2. The coordinator for the protection of minors is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the policy.

9. Final provisions

1. The policy enters into force on the date of approval by the Foundation’s Management Board.
2. This document is made publicly available on the Foundation’s website and at its registered office.