2.Principles of Safe Relationships Between Minors and Staff Staff ensure the safety of minors during their stay at the facility, monitor their situations and well-being, and while providing services, minors remain under the care of the specialist conducting the activities. During waiting times before entering the room, breaks between classes, and after the activities, the responsibility for minors lies with their legal guardians. The principles of safe relationships between staff and minors apply to all staff.

2.1 Principles of Communication with Minors In communication with minors, staff:

• remain calm, patient, and respectful,

• also show understanding for their difficulties and problems,

• respond according to the principles of constructive communication and criticism to any offensive, inappropriate, or discriminatory behavior or words from minors and any forms of bullying and intolerance among them,

• conduct conversations constructively, building relationships rather than hierarchies of dependency and distrust,

• do not humiliate, demean, dismiss, or insult,

• do not threaten or express disapproval of a minor’s behavior or progress in a manner that undermines their dignity and sense of self-worth,

• listen attentively and provide age-appropriate responses suitable to the situation,

• do not raise their voices unless it concerns the safety of minors or others or to restore order and/or ensure safe conditions during activities.

2.2 Prohibited Staff Behaviors Toward Minors

2.2.1 Staff contacts with minors do not violate applicable laws, established norms, and principles. All minors are treated fairly. Employees do not divide or discriminate against them (based on origin, sense of identity, age, gender, material status, appearance, knowledge, and skills).

2.2.2 Staff do not exploit their power or physical superiority over minors (bullying, coercion, threats).

2.2.3 Staff do not use any form of physical violence against minors, such as: destroying property, hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting; coercion; sexual harassment; abusing their advantage over another person; physical taunts; forcing another person to undertake inappropriate actions; throwing objects at someone.

2.2.4 Staff do not use any form of psychological violence against minors, such as:

• neglecting, lowering status,

• stigmatizing due to their health, educational achievements, appearance, sexual orientation, worldview, or financial situation,

• mocking, ridiculing, belittling, provoking, threatening,

• excessive, unreasonable demands,

• aggressive remarks and comments,

• spreading any false, humiliating materials.

2.2.5 Staff do not use degrading remarks of a sexual nature toward minors, do not refer to sexual activity or attractiveness in their statements, including:

• comments about body/appearance/clothing with sexual undertones;

• vulgar or inappropriate jokes and humor,

• do not send vulgar or ambiguous text messages, emails to minors,

• do not engage in private conversations with minors on social media, do not post comments or share photos in any erotic context that could cause harm.

2.2.6 Staff do not violate the personal inviolability of minors. They do not behave inappropriately toward them, e.g., do not pat or tap in a familiar, ambiguous way to satisfy their own sexual needs. They do not force minors to engage in any activities of a sexual nature or with sexual undertones. They do not provoke inappropriate contacts with minors, e.g., do not engage in activities such as tickling, fake fighting with children, or rough physical play.

2.2.7 Staff ensure that if minors feel uncomfortable in a situation, regarding specific behaviors or words, they can express this to someone directly or to a designated person and can expect an appropriate response or help.

2.2.8 Staff exercise particular caution with minors who have experienced abuse and harm, including sexual, physical, or neglect. If minors seek to establish inappropriate or inadequate physical contact with adults, staff respond sensitively but firmly and help minors understand the importance of personal boundaries.

2.2.9 Staff balance the need for supervision with the minor’s right to privacy, e.g., they should not provide personal care to minors that they do not need. In any individual conversation, at the request of the minor, the presence of another adult must be ensured.

2.2.10 In situations requiring care and hygiene activities concerning minors, a parent/legal guardian participates, thus avoiding any contact other than necessary, except in emergencies or situations that threaten health or safety, of which the parent/guardian is informed.

2.3 Principles of Staff Contact with Minors During Working Hours, Through Official Channels, and for Diagnostic and Support Purposes

2.3.1 When contacting a minor, staff treat them as individuals.

2.3.2 Contact must never be secret or hidden, must not involve any gratification, nor arise from a power relationship.

2.3.3 As a rule, contact should only occur during working hours and pertain to duties within the staff’s responsibilities.

2.3.4 Staff do not invite minors to their place of residence and do not meet them privately outside working hours.

2.3.5 Staff do not establish contact by accepting or sending invitations to them on social media. They do not communicate with them through private communication channels (private phone, email, messaging apps, social media profiles).

2.3.6 If necessary, the appropriate form of communication with minors outside working hours is through official channels (email, work phone), and parents/guardians of the children must consent to such contact.

2.3.7 Maintaining social or family relationships (if the minor and their parents/guardians are close to the staff) requires confidentiality of all information regarding other minors and their parents/guardians.

2.4 Principles of Safe Relationships Among Minors

2.4.1 Minors using the services of HKF Centrum, including the Clinic, have the right to be in a safe environment.

2.4.2 Minors are obliged to adhere to generally applicable rules and norms of behavior, including high standards of personal culture, e.g., using polite expressions such as “please,” “thank you,” “sorry,” appropriate to their age and accepted social norms.

2.4.3 Minors recognize the right of other minors to differences and to maintain their identity due to: ethnic, geographical, national origin, religion, economic status, family characteristics, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical features, and disability. They do not violate the rights of others and do not discriminate against anyone based on any differences.

2.4.4 Minors have the right to their own opinions, evaluations, and worldview and to express them, provided that the manner of expression is free from aggression and violence and does not harm anyone.

2.4.5 Minors are obliged to oppose all manifestations of brutality and vulgarity and to inform staff about any threats that arise.

2.4.6 If a minor witnesses any form of aggression or violence, they are obliged to react, e.g., seeking help for the victim from an adult by informing the staff.

2.4.7 If a minor becomes a victim of aggression or violence, they can receive help from HKF Centrum in accordance with the procedures specified in these Standards.

2.5 Prohibited Behaviors of Minors

2.5.1 Engaging in acts against others, including staff or other minors: a. physical aggression and violence in various forms, e.g.:

• hitting/pushing/kicking/spitting;

• coercion;

• sexual harassment;

• abusing their superiority over another person;

• physical taunts;

• forcing another person to take inappropriate actions;

• throwing objects at someone; b. verbal aggression and violence in various forms, e.g.:

• insults, slurs;

• mocking, ridiculing, deriding;

• direct insults;

• gossip and offensive jokes, mockery; threats;

• offensive SMS and MMS;

• messages on forums, so-called chat rooms, or electronic communicators;

• phone calls and emails containing threats, humiliating, vulgar, or intimidating

Chapter 3

Principles and Procedures for Intervening in Suspected Abuse or Harm to Minors, Including Initiating the “Blue Card” Procedure

1. General Principles for Reporting Suspected Abuse or Harm to Minors

1.1 Every minor utilizing the services of HKF Centrum, including the Counseling Center, has the right to report any safety concerns regarding themselves or others, or to disclose experiences of harm, to any staff member in any form.

1.2 All employees are required to report suspicions of safety threats or harm to a minor, whether from staff, guardians, third parties, or other children.

1.3 If an employee receives a report from a minor as described in point 1 above, or from a trainee or volunteer as per point 4 below, or independently suspects that a minor is being harmed as per point 2 above, they are obliged to follow the appropriate procedures described below and prepare a written report to submit to the Director. If the suspicion concerns actions by the Director, the report should be forwarded to the HKF Centrum Management Board.

1.4 If a suspicion of harm to a minor is reported to a trainee or volunteer, they must relay this information to the staff member supervising their work at HKF Centrum. The staff member will then take the appropriate actions described in these Standards.

1.5 The registration of reports of suspected harm or actual harm to minors is conducted by the Director.

1.6 The registration of reports of suspected harm or actual harm to minors by the Director is carried out by the HKF Centrum Management Board.

2. Notifying Authorities in Emergency Situations

2.1 If there is a suspicion that a minor’s life is in danger or that they are at risk of serious injury, the appropriate authorities (police, emergency services) must be notified immediately by calling 112 (emergency notification center), 997 (police), or 999 (ambulance). The staff member who first receives the information about the threat is responsible for notifying the authorities and must also inform the Director.

2.2 If there is a suspicion that a crime has been committed against a minor and the suspected perpetrator is over 17 years old, the Director shall report the possibility of a crime to the appropriate police unit or prosecutor’s office.

2.3 The Director shall take necessary actions until the relevant law enforcement agency arrives or issues an appropriate directive to prevent the destruction of evidence, provided the crime occurred on the premises.

2.4 Staff members who obtain information about the harm of a child in connection with their official duties are obliged to keep this information confidential, except for information shared as part of the procedure outlined in point 3.1 of these Standards and with authorized institutions as part of intervention actions.

3. Suspected Abuse or Harm to Minors by Staff

3.1 The Director or the HKF Centrum Management Board, or a person authorized by them, after verifying the report concerning the harm of a minor, shall organize a meeting with the minor’s guardians to inform them about the incident and the need or possibility of accessing specialized support, including from other institutions, organizations, or services (e.g., providing the child with psychological support).

3.2 The Director or the HKF Centrum Management Board, as part of verifying the report, shall examine all circumstances of the case, particularly listening to the person suspected of harming the minor and witnesses to the event.

3.3 The Director or the HKF Centrum Management Board shall inform the guardians of the child in writing about the conclusions from the conducted intervention and the remedial actions taken.

3.4 If a staff member has committed a crime against a minor, the Director of the Counseling Center or the HKF Centrum Management Board shall report the crime and appropriately terminate the cooperation with that person (in the case of a volunteer or intern) or suspend them from their duties (in the case of employees) and notify the relevant authorities in accordance with point 3.2 of these Standards, as well as the disciplinary commissioner for teachers (in the case of educational staff).

3.5 If a staff member has caused harm to a minor that does not constitute a crime but significantly violates the child’s rights—especially in cases of discrimination or violation of the child’s dignity, or if the harm is prolonged or repetitive against different children—the Director or the HKF Centrum Management Board shall consider appropriate disciplinary measures against that individual, prioritizing the impact of the incident on the minor’s mental state and sense of safety among those utilizing the services of HKF Centrum, after gathering and verifying evidence, including notifying the disciplinary commissioner for teachers (in the case of educational staff).

4. Suspected Harm/Abuse of Minors by Third Parties

4.1 If an employee receives a report of suspected harm to a minor by third parties, the employee shall, in accordance with the procedure established in point 3.1 of the Standards, inform the Director. The Director, after verifying the report concerning the harm to the minor, shall organize a meeting with the child’s guardians to inform them about the incident and the need or possibility of seeking specialist support, including from other institutions, organizations, or services (e.g., reporting a suspected crime, informing the school, providing psychological support to the child). The provisions of point 3.2 of the Standards shall apply accordingly.

4.2 If the conversation with the guardians indicates that they are not interested in helping the child, ignore the incident, or otherwise do not support the child who has experienced harm, the Director should consider preparing a request for insight into the child’s family situation and submit it to the appropriate family court.

4.3 If the third party who committed the harm is employed or collaborates with another therapeutic institution or educational facility, the Director shall send a notice of suspicion of child abuse to the manager of that entity.

4.4 If the conversation with the director of the educational facility indicates that they are not interested in helping the child, ignore the incident, or otherwise do not support the child who has experienced harm, the Director should consider reporting the matter to the supervising or governing body of the educational facility.

5. Suspected Harm/Abuse of Minors by Their Guardians

5.1 If suspicions of harm to a minor by their guardian are reported, the employee who received such information shall, in accordance with the procedure established in point 3.1 of the Standards, inform the Director. The Director, after verifying the report regarding the harm to the minor, shall organize a meeting with the non-abusive guardian of the child, providing them with information about the incident and the need or possibility of seeking specialist support from other organizations or services (e.g., contacting a crisis intervention center, informing the school, providing psychological support to the child or family). The provisions of point 3.2 of the Standards shall apply accordingly.

5.2 In cases meeting the indicated conditions and in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, the Director shall initiate the “Blue Cards” procedure during the meeting with the non-abusive guardian. The guardian’s consent is not required to initiate this procedure.

5.3 If the conversation with the non-abusive guardian of the minor indicates that they are not interested in helping the minor, ignore the incident, or otherwise do not support the harmed child, the Director shall prepare a request for insight into the child’s family situation and then submit the request to the appropriate family court.

5.4 If the findings indicate that the guardian neglects the child’s psychophysical needs, the family is incapable of providing adequate care, or there are other justified concerns about the safety and/or well-being of family members, the Director shall notify the appropriate social assistance center about the need to provide social assistance to the family.

5.5  The forms and documents for the “Blue Card – A” and “Blue Card – B” are available at the facility’s reception.

5.6 The Director maintains a register of initiated procedures and documentation related to the initiated “Blue Cards” procedures, as well as requests to the family court for insight into the child’s family situation.

5.7 Only persons expressly authorized by the Director have access to the documentation of the initiated procedures. Persons authorized to view the documentation of the initiated “Blue Card” procedures are required to maintain confidentiality regarding the information and personal data contained in the documentation.

6. Documentation of Interventions

6.1 A record of each intervention and the arrangements made during it shall be created in an intervention card.

6.2 The intervention card includes as an attachment a support plan for the child, in accordance with Chapter 4 of the Standards. The support primarily involves cooperation with assistance institutions, the police, and the prosecutor’s office, as well as providing the child with psychological help.

6.3 Intervention cards are kept in a location designated by the Director, in a manner ensuring confidentiality and protection of personal data.

6.4 The person responsible for the Standards maintains a register of interventions.

Chapter 4.

Principles for Establishing a Support Plan for a Minor After Disclosing Harm

1.The support plan for a minor after disclosing their harm is developed by a team appointed by the Director. The team may include, in particular, a lawyer, psychologist, and educator.

2. The structure of the document “Support Plan for a Minor After Disclosing Harm,” which is always an attachment to the intervention card, in accordance with point 3.6 of the Standards:

• Name and surname,

• Names and surnames of the team members preparing the support plan,

• Title under which the support plan was developed,

• Diagnosis of the minor’s situation after the disclosure of harm,

• Goal of supporting the minor,

• Identification of internal resources and external sources of support for the harmed child,

• Scope of cooperation with external entities for the support of the minor,

• Scope, number of hours, period of support provided to the minor,

• Forms and methods of supporting the minor,

• Assessment of the effectiveness of the support provided to the minor.

3. Conducting a diagnosis of the minor’s situation after the disclosure of harm:

• Characteristics of the harm suffered (type of harm suffered, circumstances of the harm, degree of legal violation, degree of threat to the minor’s safety – in terms of health, life, development);

• Analysis of available documentation, e.g., results of conversations, observation results (behavior, appearance) made by e.g., parents, psychologist/educator/speech therapist, other staff, and institutions supporting the protection of the child – psychologists, educators, school guardians;

• Identification of risk factors for the harm suffered and support factors for the minor – determining the individual needs of the harmed child in terms of their health/life, mental health, emotional-social functioning, and legal and social aspects.

4. Definition of the goal of the support offered within the plan, e.g.:

• Providing specialized support to the minor, offering systematic/periodic help, e.g., psychological, therapeutic;

• Implementing actions to restore the minor’s emotional balance, enhancing their self-esteem;

• Supporting the parents/guardians of the minor in solving educational problems;

• Alleviating the psychological and behavioral symptoms of harm, reducing the minor’s stress and anxiety;

• Ensuring safety (e.g., social, psychological, legal);

• Teaching skills to cope with social rejection, isolation, discrediting, and difficult situations in the family and social environment.

Chapter 5.

Principles for Providing Parents or Legal or De Facto Guardians and Minors Access to the Standards for Review and Implementation

1. The Standards are publicly available documents. Everyone can review them at any time.

2. The Standards are available electronically on the HKF Centrum’s website and in paper form at the facility’s reception for staff, guardians, and minors, as well as in a shortened paper version displayed in the facility in a location visible to minors.

3. Two versions of the Standards are provided: complete and shortened for minors.

Chapter 6.

Principles for Using Electronic Devices with Internet Access and Procedures to Protect Minors from Harmful Content and Online Threats

1. All computers with Internet access at the facility have antivirus and antispam software installed and regularly updated.

2. The network is monitored to prevent access to harmful content unsuitable for minors and to identify potential abusers.

3. Employees have individual login and password, allowing them to use the computer. Employees keep their login and password confidential.

4. HKF Centrum does not allow minors (children) to use HKF Centrum’s electronic devices with Internet access during activities at the facility.

5. It should be remembered that when using the Internet on private devices (e.g., mobile phones), one should not trust people met online, nor meet such persons unless with clear parental/guardian consent, and the first meeting should take place in the presence and supervision of the parent/guardian, preferably in a public place.

6. Any proposal for a meeting from unknown individuals online must be reported to parents/guardians, and such a meeting should not occur without their consent and supervision.

7. One should not provide personal data (name, surname, address, etc.) to unknown persons online.

8. It should be remembered that online hate is a crime and that the family court may impose penalties for committing it.

9. HKF Centrum does not provide minors (children) access to the facility’s internet network (Wi-Fi).

10. During diagnosis, classes, training, and workshops conducted at the facility, using mobile phones and other electronic devices with Internet access is prohibited, and the phone or other electronic device should be turned off or at least silenced (without vibration) and stored in a bag/backpack before the start of the activities.

11. Phones and other electronic devices (e.g., tablets) can be used during classes only for educational purposes under supervision and only with clear and prior consent from the class leader.

12. If a minor is waiting for important information (call, SMS), they are obliged to inform the instructor about this fact, ask for permission to use the phone, and determine how to receive this message. This also applies to situations where there is an urgent need to contact, e.g., parents or for other important matters.

13. While using a mobile phone or other device with Internet access, minors are prohibited from:

• Visiting suspicious or blocked websites containing or potentially containing harmful or inappropriate content (e.g., pornographic sites),

• Recording sound and images without the explicit consent of the recorded or photographed person or against their clear opposition to recording or photographing. It is also unacceptable to record or photograph situations inconsistent with commonly accepted ethical and social standards, or that may be humiliating for other people,

• Making contact with unknown persons online.

Chapter 7.

Final Provisions

1.The standards come into force after they are approved by the Director.

2. The standards will be reviewed periodically, at least once every two years, and updated if necessary.

3. The Director is responsible for their implementation and observance, and for training staff on these standards.

Chapter 8.
Individuals Responsible for Receiving Reports and Their Storage, as Well as the Scope of Competences of Individuals Responsible for Preparing the Center’s Staff to Apply the Standards

1.Individuals responsible for receiving reports of suspected or actual harm to minors at the HKF Centrum, including the Counseling Office:

• Any staff member who subsequently implements the procedure outlined in point 3.1 of the Standards by notifying the Director or the Management of the HKF Centrum (in cases where the report concerns the actions of the Director).

• The registration of reports of suspected or actual harm to minors is carried out by the Director or the Management of the HKF Centrum (in cases where the report concerns the actions of the Director).

Chapter 9.
Final Provisions

1.The Standards come into effect on the date of their announcement.

2.The announcement of the Standards occurs through publication on the HKF website.