Safeguarding Standards

The school has implemented Safeguarding Standards to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of all pupils. These standards define the principles and procedures followed by staff in order to prevent harm and to respond appropriately to any concerns regarding the welfare of children.

The document outlines the responsibilities of staff members, the rules for safe relationships with pupils, and the procedures for reporting and responding to situations that may threaten a child’s safety.

This document is an English translation provided for information purposes only. The official and legally binding version is the Polish version.

Safeguarding Standards for the Protection of Minors

at BC Private Primary School named after Janusz Korczak in Kraków

Legal Basis

The Safeguarding Standards are based in particular on the following legal acts:

• Act of 28 July 2023 amending the Family and Guardianship Code and certain other acts (Journal of Laws 2023, item 1606).
• The Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997 – provisions concerning the protection of children against violence, exploitation and demoralisation.
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989.
• Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 6 September 2023 concerning the “Blue Card” procedure and related forms.
• Act on Counteracting Domestic Violence of 29 July 2005.
• Family and Guardianship Code of 25 February 1964 regulating relations between parents and children and between parents and educational institutions.
• Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure of 6 June 1997 regulating, among others, intervention in cases where crimes against children are suspected.
• Teachers’ Charter Act of 26 January 1982.
• Education Law Act of 14 December 2016.
• Act on the Support and Rehabilitation of Juveniles.
• Provisions of the Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure concerning the obligation to report offences.
• Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR).

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Introduction

The well-being and safety of minors at BC Private Primary School named after Janusz Korczak in Kraków are a priority in all activities undertaken by the School’s staff. Every pupil is treated with respect and their individual needs are taken into account.

In performing their duties, staff members act in accordance with applicable laws, internal school regulations and their professional competences. Any form of violence towards a minor by a member of staff is strictly prohibited.

This safeguarding system defines intervention procedures, preventive and educational actions, and principles aimed at preventing harm to pupils. In situations where harm has occurred, the system specifies procedures for minimising its consequences through appropriate and effective support for the pupil and defines the responsibilities of the School’s staff in ensuring the safety of minors attending the School.

Chapter I

Areas Covered by the Safeguarding Standards

§1

The Safeguarding Standards create a safe and supportive school environment and include four main areas:

1. Safeguarding Policy

This policy defines:

• principles for the safe recruitment of school staff,
• rules governing safe relationships between staff and pupils,
• procedures for responding to suspected cases of harm or abuse,
• principles for protecting pupils’ images and personal data,
• rules for the safe use of the internet and electronic media.

2. Staff

This area includes:

• rules for recruiting staff who work with children and young people, including the obligation to obtain information from the Sex Offenders Register and, where permitted by law, the National Criminal Register, or written declarations regarding a lack of criminal record,
• guidelines defining safe relationships between staff and pupils, including behaviours that are acceptable and unacceptable in contact with pupils,
• providing staff with basic knowledge regarding child protection and support for children and young people in risk situations, including:
  • recognising signs of abuse or neglect,
  • intervention procedures,
  • the legal responsibilities of staff members.

It also includes preparation of staff to educate:

• children and young people about protection against violence and exploitation,
• parents and guardians about raising children without violence and protecting them from abuse.

The School also ensures access to educational materials for pupils and parents and actively promotes their use.

3. Procedures

These procedures define actions to be taken in cases where a child’s safety is threatened by:

• school staff,
• family members,
• peers,
• other persons.

The School ensures that staff have access to contact details of relevant institutions and organisations providing support in cases of child abuse, such as:

• the police,
• family courts,
• crisis intervention centres,
• social welfare centres,
• healthcare institutions.

Information about available support, including free helpline numbers for children and young people, is also made visible and accessible.

4. Monitoring

This area includes:

• regular review of the safeguarding policy at least once a year, with particular attention to situations involving threats to the safety of children and young people,
• organising consultations with pupils and their parents or guardians.

Chapter II

Glossary of Terms

§2

Pupil / Minor – any person under the age of 18.

Children with special educational needs – children who require support due to developmental or educational needs resulting from factors such as exceptional abilities, disabilities, social maladjustment, chronic illness, learning difficulties, communication disorders, crisis situations, environmental neglect, or adaptation difficulties related to cultural differences or changes in educational environment.

Harm to a minor – committing a prohibited act or offence against a pupil, threatening the pupil’s welfare, or neglecting the pupil.

Staff – any employee of the School regardless of the form of employment, including collaborators, interns, volunteers or any other person who may have contact with children in connection with their duties.

Parent/Guardian of a pupil – a person legally entitled to represent the pupil, in particular a parent, legal guardian or foster parent.

Institution – any organisation providing services for children or acting in their interest.

School Management – the person or body authorised to make decisions within the School’s organisational structure.

Parental consent – the consent of both parents of the pupil. In the event of disagreement between parents, the matter should be resolved by the family court.

Person responsible for safeguarding standards – a staff member designated by the School Director to supervise the implementation of these safeguarding standards.

Personal data of a pupil – any information enabling the identification of a minor.

Chapter III

Risk Factors and Signs of Harm to Pupils – Recognition and Response

§3

Recruitment of School staff is conducted in accordance with the principles of safe recruitment described in Appendix 1.

Staff members are familiar with and follow the rules of safe relationships between staff and pupils and between pupils themselves, described in Appendix 2.

School staff are aware of risk factors and signs indicating possible harm to minors and remain attentive to them in the course of their duties.

Staff monitor the situation and well-being of pupils attending the School.

If risk factors are identified, staff discuss the situation with parents or guardians, provide information about available support services and encourage them to seek assistance.

Chapter IV

Procedures for Responding to Suspected Harm to a Minor

§4

If a member of staff suspects that a pupil may be experiencing harm or abuse, they are required to prepare a written report and immediately inform the School Director.

§5

After receiving such information, the School Director, in cooperation with the class teacher, school counsellor and psychologist, invites the pupil’s parents or guardians to a meeting and informs them of the concern.

A designated staff member (school counsellor or psychologist) prepares a description of the pupil’s school and family situation based on conversations with the pupil, teachers, parents and other relevant persons, and develops a support plan.

The support plan may include:

• actions undertaken by the School to ensure the pupil’s safety, including reporting the suspected abuse to relevant institutions,
• psychological and educational support provided at school,
• referral to specialised support institutions if necessary.

§6

In more complex cases (e.g. suspected sexual abuse or severe physical or psychological violence), the School Director appoints an intervention team consisting of:

• the school counsellor or psychologist,
• the class teacher,
• the School Director,
• other staff members who have knowledge of the situation.

The team prepares a support plan for the pupil based on the collected information.

If the suspicion of abuse is reported by the parents or guardians, the School Director is required to establish such a team.

A meeting with parents or guardians may be organised to discuss the matter and, if necessary, propose an external and independent assessment. Minutes of the meeting are recorded.

Chapter V

Protection of Pupils’ Image and Personal Data

§9

The School recognises the right of minors to privacy and protection of personal rights and ensures the protection of pupils’ images as well as the highest standards of personal data protection in accordance with applicable legal regulations.

Detailed guidelines are described in Appendix 4.

§10

School staff must not allow media representatives to record a pupil’s image (photography, filming, audio recording) on school premises without the written consent of the pupil’s parent or legal guardian.

To obtain such consent, the School may contact the parent or guardian and explain how the image will be used (for example on the School website, YouTube channel or promotional materials).

Under no circumstances may a staff member provide journalists or media representatives with the contact details of a pupil’s parent or guardian without their knowledge and consent.

§11

Any public use of a pupil’s image by a staff member requires written consent from the pupil’s parent or legal guardian.

Chapter VI

Safe Use of the Internet and Electronic Media at School

§12

The School provides pupils with internet access while taking measures to protect them from harmful or inappropriate content.

Security measures include:

• regularly updated antivirus and security software,
• network protection systems such as firewalls,
• supervision by teachers during computer lessons.

Preventive actions include:

• monitoring and updating security software,
• media education providing pupils with knowledge and skills for responsible use of digital technologies,
• preventive programmes promoting safe internet use and awareness of potential online risks.

These activities aim to:

• increase awareness of cyberbullying and ways to prevent and respond to it,
• promote safe use of digital devices and online resources,
• prevent aggressive and harmful behaviour carried out using communication technologies.

Parents are also involved in preventive activities through meetings, training sessions and educational materials concerning online safety and parental control tools.

§13

The person responsible for internet access at the School, in cooperation with the School Director, ensures that the network is protected from harmful content.

Teachers supervise the use of computers and check whether inappropriate content has appeared on devices.

If such content is identified, the School determines who used the computer at that time and the Director arranges a meeting between the pupil and the school counsellor or psychologist.

If during the conversation it is discovered that the pupil may be experiencing harm or abuse, the procedures described in Chapter IV are followed.

Chapter VII

Monitoring the Implementation of Safeguarding Standards

§14

The School Director appoints Ms Dominika Grzybek as the person responsible for implementing and promoting the Safeguarding Standards.

This person:

• monitors the implementation of the standards,
• responds to reports of violations,
• maintains a register of reported cases,
• proposes updates or improvements to the standards.

Once every 12 months, a survey is conducted among staff to assess the implementation of the standards.

Based on the results, a monitoring report is prepared and submitted to the School Director, who may introduce necessary changes and communicate them to staff, pupils and parents.

Final Provisions

§15

These Safeguarding Standards enter into force on the date of their announcement.

The announcement is made in a manner accessible to staff, pupils and their parents or guardians, in particular by:

• distributing the document electronically to staff,
• informing parents during school meetings,
• publishing the document on the School’s website.

The standards are also available in the School office.

List of Appendices (available in the PDF version)

1. Safe Recruitment Principles at BC Private Primary School named after Janusz Korczak
2. Rules of Safe Relationships between Staff and Pupils and between Pupils
3. Intervention Report Template
4. Protection of a Minor’s Image and Personal Data
5. Safe Use of the Internet and Electronic Media
6. Monitoring Survey Template
7. Risk Areas
8. Intervention Procedures – suspected abuse by third parties
9. Intervention Procedures – peer-to-peer violence
10. Intervention Procedures – suspected abuse by a parent or guardian
11. Declaration of Countries of Residence