JEF Ireland Child Protection Policy

1.Introduction

As mentioned in JEF Irelands Code of Conduct, JEF Ireland is committed to maintaining and further developing a culture based on mutual respect, human dignity, safety, and equality as preconditions to ensure full access and active participation, reflecting the right to an empowering space and safe participation in its activities.
In general, JEF Irelands target group are young people between 18-35 years old. However, in some exceptional cases, there might be minors (mostly between 16-17) in attendance at our activities. JEF Ireland acknowledges its responsibility to do no harm to children, and thus aims to minimise the risks for underaged participants attending our activities.
During the activities at European level, when working with minors, there are guidelines and child protection statements by JEF Europe in place and will apply to International Events organised by JEF Europe. When these events are organised and hosted by a JEF national section, it will be that national sections Child Protection Policy that will apply.
When underage participants take part in international activities directly organised by JEF Europe, extra attention will be dedicated to provide them with a safe environment. Before their attendance, a parental consent form will be required from their parents. At each seminar, a dedicated contact person from the national section of the underage participants or the Executive Board will be designated for each underage participant to answer any question the underage participant may have during the event. The contact persons as defined in the JEF Europe Code of Conduct are dedicated to ensuring safety and feeling of safety to all participants. They are available throughout the event for the underage participants. Logistics of the participation of the underage participant will be overseen by the Secretariat.

1.1 JEF Ireland aims to:

Protect children and young people who attend JEF Ireland’s activities from harm. This includes children of adults attending the events of JEF Ireland who remain under the sole responsibility of their parents.
Provide volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that offer guidance during events where children participate.

1.2 JEF Ireland believes that:

Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to act in a way that protects them when they attend our events.

1.3 JEF Ireland recognises that:

The wellbeing of children and young people is respected during all activities we conduct. In all the decisions we take, all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
Some young people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

2. Overview of responsibilities for the protection of the underaged participants

During events, all members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) bear responsibility for the protection of the underaged participants. This means that both the members of the JEF Ireland NEC present and the ordinary members should be aware of the guidelines as mentioned in part 3 of this document..
Furthermore, in case any complaints or comments of inappropriate behaviour towards minors who have attended JEF Ireland events arise, the Code of Conduct contacts person can be contacted. The same process as introduced for breaches in the Code of Conduct shall be used in cases of inappropriate behaviour against minors during JEF Ireland Events.

3. Guidelines (and procedures) for child protection at JEF Ireland events

Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practices through our policies, procedures and Code of Conduct for members, volunteers and subcontractors.
Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy regarding content and accessibility that might be harmful for children and related procedures.
Providing effective management for volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently.
Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance and asking for the permission of the legal responsible before publishing any material where under-age participants are visible.
Making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern.
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment, as outlined in the Code of Conduct, and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise.
Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
Closely following the Covid-19 prevention rules and adding additional safety measures to the protection of participating children (self-tests, masks, social distancing) following national legislation.
During activities during which alcohol consumption is possible, procedures, such as differentiated wristbands, shall be put in place by the NEC to prevent minors from consuming according to national legislation age limits. Such procedures shall be explained to all participants to ensure national legislation is respected.
Building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect.

These guidelines apply to anyone involved in the activities on behalf of JEF Ireland, including full-time staff, volunteers and potential subcontractors.

4. Accountability

Child protection guidelines shall be reviewed minimum every 2 years and update if needed.
The present child protection guidelines shall be made accessible on the JEF Ireland website for transparency so everyone can access the document (parents of underaged children etc).
When working with partner organisations, JEF Ireland needs to make sure that joint events are also up to the protection standards
Parental consent forms before participating in JEF Ireland activities for underaged participants.

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