1. Scope and principle
The standards apply to members of the Foundation's bodies, employees, contractors, volunteers, experts, trainers, interns and other persons acting on behalf of the Foundation in activities involving minors. The best interests, dignity, safety, privacy and voice of the child are primary considerations.
2. Legal basis
The standards are adopted in connection with the Polish Act on Counteracting Threats of Sexual Crime and Protection of Minors, including the obligations applicable to organisers of educational, care, recreational, sporting or interest-development activities for minors.
3. Safeguarding coordinator
Organisational responsibility for receiving safeguarding reports rests with the President of the Foundation's Board or another person designated in writing by the Board. Reports may be sent to whiteredfoundation@gmail.com with the subject line “CHILD SAFEGUARDING”. In an immediate threat to life or health, emergency services should be contacted first.
4. Safe adult–child relationships
Adults must communicate respectfully, use language appropriate to the child's age, maintain professional boundaries, avoid humiliating or discriminatory behaviour, protect confidentiality and respond to signs of distress. Physical contact may occur only when justified by the situation, proportionate, safe and never secretive or sexualised.
It is prohibited to use violence, threats, degrading treatment, sexual comments or conduct, grooming, unauthorised private meetings, exchange of sexualised material, exploitation, punishment that violates dignity, or any conduct creating fear, dependency or an improper personal relationship.
5. One-to-one contact and communication
Where possible, activities should be organised so that contact with a minor is observable by others or occurs in an appropriate institutional setting. Private electronic communication with minors should be limited to what is necessary for the activity, use approved channels where available and avoid secrecy. Personal social-media relationships between staff and minor participants should not be initiated as part of the Foundation's work.
6. Safe relationships between minors
Bullying, humiliation, discrimination, coercion, violence, sexual harassment, sharing intimate material, dangerous challenges and persistent exclusion are not accepted. Adults supervising an activity must intervene proportionately and document significant incidents.
7. Internet and digital safety
Activities using internet-connected devices must include reasonable safeguards appropriate to the age group and activity. Participants should be informed about privacy, harmful content, cyberbullying, image sharing, manipulation and reporting channels. The Foundation does not intentionally provide minors with access to unlawful or age-inappropriate content.
8. Images and personal data of minors
Images, recordings and identifying information concerning minors may be collected and published only on an appropriate legal basis and in accordance with data-protection and personality-right rules. Consent, where required, must be informed and specific. A refusal to consent to promotional use of an image must not exclude a child from substantive participation.
9. Recruitment and verification
Before a person is admitted to activities covered by statutory verification obligations, the Foundation performs the checks and obtains the information required by applicable law, including checks connected with the Register of Sex Offenders and documents or declarations required for persons working with or caring for minors.
10. Responding to a concern
Any person who suspects abuse, receives a disclosure or observes conduct threatening a minor must prioritise immediate safety, listen without pressuring the child, avoid promising absolute secrecy, record essential facts and promptly report the matter to the safeguarding coordinator. The coordinator assesses the need for protective measures and further action.
11. Notifications to authorities
Where circumstances indicate a suspected criminal offence, threat to a child's welfare or another situation requiring state intervention, the authorised person submits the appropriate notification to law-enforcement authorities, the guardianship court or another competent authority. The Foundation does not conduct its own criminal investigation.
12. Support plan
After a safeguarding concern is disclosed, the Foundation determines what support is reasonably available within its role, taking into account the child's safety, privacy, age, views and the role of parents or legal guardians, unless involving them would increase the risk to the child.
13. Documentation and confidentiality
Safeguarding reports and actions are documented and stored with restricted access. Information is shared only with persons who need it to protect the child, meet legal obligations or conduct authorised proceedings.
14. Training and review
Persons involved in activities with minors are informed of these standards before beginning relevant duties. The Foundation reviews the standards at least every two years and additionally after a serious incident, material legal change or identified safeguarding weakness.
15. Short version for children and young people
You have the right to feel safe, be treated with respect and say when something makes you uncomfortable. No adult or other participant may hurt, humiliate, threaten, pressure or sexualise you. You may speak to a trusted adult or contact the Foundation at whiteredfoundation@gmail.com. If you are in immediate danger, call 112 or ask a trusted adult to do so.