Child protection concept of Wiener Nimmerland
1.Introduction
Wiener Nimmerland is clearly committed to protecting the children and young people who take part in our tours and lectures. Our measures aim to minimize potential risks and create a safe environment for all participants. We place particular emphasis on prevention, clear behavioral guidelines and transparent reporting procedures.
1.1 Definition of violence against children and young people
Violence against children and young people includes physical, psychological and sexual violence as well as neglect. We ensure that all employees respect the individual boundaries of young people and do not tolerate any form of violence. It can be carried out by individuals or groups and also includes structural and institutional violence.
1.2 Legal framework
Our measures are based on the legal framework for children's rights and child protection in Austria. We also follow international standards such as KCS, the Eurochild guidelines, the Kindernothilfe guidelines, and other relevant national and international guidelines.
2. Definition of the company
Wiener Nimmerland is a small, one-man business. Our team currently consists of Martin (owner and tour guide/presenter) and Nadine (office and organization). Nadine is also the company's child protection officer. We are looking for another tour guide who has overcome a drug past or other social challenges and now leads a stable life.
2.1 Offer
Tours and lectures: The tour guides act as speakers and talk about the challenges in their lives, from homelessness to drug addiction to migration and escape. Each tour lasts about 2 hours.
2.2 Target group
Our lectures are designed for school classes, youth groups and students, with the minimum age of participants being 14 years. Our tours are also aimed at adults, with the minimum age of participants being 14 years.
3. Risk analysis
3.1 Interactions and potential risks
There are opportunities for students to speak to the tour guide/speaker alone, away from the group, but with the other participants or at least one teacher within sight at all times. Open communication about difficult experiences plays a central role in our work. Our speakers share personal stories and experiences that appeal to some young people and help them to feel understood and less alone. This basis of trust encourages opening up and exchange, which leads to students opening up to the speaker after the talk or during the tour and, for example, talking about their experiences with addiction or other difficult experiences. It is important that staff are prepared for such situations and know how to react appropriately so that they are not overwhelmed, especially since our tour guides most likely have no previous experience working with young people.
3.2 Premises and infrastructure
4. Preventive measures
4.1 Recruitment criteria and process for new employees
All new tour guides/presenters are carefully selected and thoroughly screened. Since they speak of difficult life experiences - such as life on the streets or years of addiction - we place particular emphasis on the fact that the applicants have achieved a stable life situation and have overcome their past. To ensure this stability, they go through a recruitment process:
The protection concept and code of conduct are already mentioned during the interview and the applicant's attitude towards violence in general (and especially towards children and young people) is addressed.
4.2 Criminal record certificate
New employees must present a criminal record certificate and a criminal record certificate for child and youth welfare (each no more than 3 months old). There are criteria for evaluating criminal record extracts and not every offense is automatically a reason for exclusion (see test scheme in the appendix). An important part of how we impart knowledge is that the students learn from the mistakes of our lecturers.
4.3 Code of Conduct
All employees are committed to this child protection concept and its measures. They sign the code of conduct and commit to complying with these guidelines, which ensure respectful behavior and the protection of young people's privacy.
[see Code of Conduct in the appendix]
4.4 Awareness and training
All employees complete an e-learning course on child protection and are informed about the current child protection concept by the child protection officer. Regular reflection opportunities are offered in order to continuously sensitize and train employees.
As soon as 2 more tour guides/speakers have been hired, regular training sessions will be organized for all employees.
4.5 Transparent case management
A standardized reporting form for suspected cases is being developed and is accessible to all employees. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the child protection officer (Nadine). A transparent system for processing and reporting suspected cases has been established.
[see Reporting form for suspected cases in the appendix]
4.6 Low-threshold complaint/reporting option
A feedback option for anonymous feedback will be set up on the company's website. In addition to the request for reviews, thank you emails to new customers will also include a note about the possibility of anonymous feedback. Participants will also be informed of this at the end of the tour/presentation in the future.
[see Feedback Function]
4.7 Guidelines for public relations and media relations
Before creating media content, companies must inform the participants concerned and their legal guardians if they are younger than 14 years old and obtain their written consent. Photos and videos are only created and used with the consent of those concerned. All media content is based on the values of respect and equality and respects the dignity of the person portrayed.
[see Media reporting procedure in the privacy policy]
4.8 Appointment of a child protection officer
Nadine is the company's child protection officer and the contact person for all questions and reports on child protection. Among other things, she is responsible for developing, revising and implementing the protection concept, carrying out monitoring and evaluation and for any training courses on child protection.
[see Information about the Child Protection Officer]
5. Case management system Reporting, notification and tracking of suspected cases
A clearly structured system for reporting and processing suspected cases ensures that all incidents are dealt with quickly and appropriately. The reporting chain is clearly defined and there is a standardized reporting form. The first point of contact is the child protection officer, who carries out an inspection and initial clarifications immediately after receiving a report. She determines whether the suspicion is justified and decides on the next steps in consultation with the owner. The people affected are fully informed about the procedure.
New employees must present a criminal record certificate and a criminal record certificate for child and youth welfare (each no more than 3 months old). There are criteria for evaluating criminal record extracts and not every offense is automatically a reason for exclusion (see test scheme in the appendix). An important part of how we impart knowledge is that the students learn from the mistakes of our lecturers.
New employees must present a criminal record certificate and a criminal record certificate for child and youth welfare (each no more than 3 months old). There are criteria for evaluating criminal record extracts and not every offense is automatically a reason for exclusion (see test scheme in the appendix). An important part of how we impart knowledge is that the students learn from the mistakes of our lecturers.
The obligation to report suspected child endangerment is strictly adhered to.
6. Documentation & Monitoring
All interventions and preventive measures are documented.
At the end of the year there is an annual review of the measures implemented, an analysis of the “lessons learned” and the creation of an action plan for the following year.
7. Evaluation
The evaluations are carried out by the team with all employees, including the owner. The first evaluation will take place after one year in August 2025. Further evaluations are scheduled every two years. These evaluations serve to check the effectiveness of the measures and to continuously improve the concept.
8. Development & Announcement
In July 2024, the concept will be developed jointly by the team to ensure that everyone is involved from the start and well informed about the guidelines developed, the applicable responsibilities and the reporting chain.
Our child protection concept is communicated internally and externally through various communication channels.
Internal: Training, interview, meetings
External: Website
Child Protection Officer
Attachment
Basic documents for the creation of the concept
The following documents served as a basis for developing our own protection concept, including risk analysis, code of conduct, reporting form and prevention measures that are specifically tailored to Wiener Nimmerland. These documents were used only as a basis and no text passages were copied. They served as a starting point for acquiring the necessary basic knowledge and for creating an individual concept.
General structure of the child protection concept of the Austrian child protection centres
Guide to child protection concept from the Federal Chancellery
Austrian standards for child protection concepts of the Alliance for Child Protection
Vienna Guide to the Child Protection Concept
Boja protection concept
Wienxtra Child Protection Policy
Prevention concept – child and youth protection concept of the GRG19 Billrothgymnasium
Self-assessment tool from Boja
Wienxtra Procedure in case of suspicion
Recommendations for media coverage of Children of Boja
From the information page for organizations, the Platform for child protection concepts:
EasyDays Code of Conduct
ECPAT risk analysis
Risk analysis – considerations and questions from ECPAT and the Austrian child protection centres
Self-Audit Tool from ECPAT and the Austrian Child Protection Centres
Checklist for monitoring and evaluation of ECPAT and the Austrian child protection centres
General reporting form to the child and youth welfare service
if there is suspicion of child endangerment
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