1. Introduction
Big Picture Association (BP) has been operating since 2018, relying on the founder’s previous experience in the projects implementations in the field of history, visual arts, culture animation and education. Big Picture organizes social animation events, workshops and seminars, based on the belief that cultural activities affect the local community. Big Picture inspires residents and provide tools for acting on their own and completing own projects.
Constantly looking for new methods of telling local history, Big Picture introduces innovations in culture: we use a creative problem-solving method (Design Thinking), show that culture is for everyone, regardless of their age or skills; our audio-visual materials are provided with audio description and subtitles for the deaf; our activities are planned in such a way as to enable the participation by the widest possible group of recipients; our experience of many years of cooperation with institutions and non-governmental organizations brings benefits to the community.
The present document (CPP) will cover BP’s projects in which there are direct or indirect activities with children and youth. Such projects may involve educational programmes aimed at adults, but also direct activities with children: phone or online discussions, questionnaires, focus groups, consultation on a training and documents, pilot testing of a training or other activity, workshops, visits at schools, participation in meetings/conferences, etc.
The present Child protection policy represents BP’s statement and set of measures aimed at protecting children from harm and creating a safe organizational culture that embeds democratic values.
Child safeguarding consists of a set of measures and conditions through which BP limits the risks the children may be exposed to during the activities involving the adult personnel, trainees or volunteers or during their collaboration with BP.
Abuse can take many forms. In this document we define it as a misuse of power and control that one person has over another.
2. Scope of application
The Big Picture’s Child Protection policy applies to:
3. Definitions of abuse
Abuse can take many forms. Here are definitions of the four main categories of abuse:
4. Legal framework
The present policy is informed by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by Poland in 1991) and respects the rights of children that are guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
Data protection for children: As provided for in the GDPR, children may consent to data processing in accordance with member state legislation. The legal rules in Poland are mainly set in the Personal Data Protection Act. The Act ensures the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the European Council, which was directly applicable in the Polish legal order and has been in force since May 25, 2018.
5. Domains of application and procedures
5.1 Recruitment and staff procedures
BP includes questions about risk of harm to children and safeguarding child and youth during interview processes. All BP staff is required to accept the Child Protection Policy as part of their employment contracts.
5.2 Data protection procedures
All employees, trainees and volunteers of BP must respect the procedures regarding data protection before the start of the activities, therefore ensuring participants information, approval and consent. In the case of children and youth under 18 years old, the Consent form will be signed by one of the parents/ legal guardian.
Information is managed as confidential and is communicated to others without the consent of the persons concerned only if the duty of protecting the children against any prejudice is above the individual right to intimacy/ private life.
In situations of indirect activities with children (up to 18 years old), e.g. in projects in which BP works with teachers and teachers subsequently work with their students, the teachers or other educators who are in direct contact with the children have the responsibility of ensuring that children’s data protection is respected. In this regard, BP provides information, guidance and templates of consent forms to the educators, if needed.
Personal data is collected, stored and processed as confidential and is never communicated to third parties without the consent of the persons concerned, unless the duty of protecting the children against any prejudice is above the individual right to intimacy/private life.
5.3 Development of trainings, education programmes and educational resources
BP is committed to safeguarding all children, irrespective of ability, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality and culture. In all the projects, educational programmes and other activities BP will promote and respect the Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.
As part of digital citizenship education, Big Picture will address:
The privacy and security domain covers competences such as effectively managing information shared online and using tools (navigation filters, passwords, anti-virus and firewall software) to avoid dangerous or unpleasant situations or to retain some sense of anonymity. Big Picture will act on educating children to be responsible stakeholders in the digital society and economy, so that the internet becomes an environment of trust, where fundamental human rights and civic mindedness prevail.
5.4 Children direct participation to BP’s activities
The principles of the procedures regarding children direct participation to BP’s activities are:
In organising the activities that will involve children participation, BP will:
BP’s staff and representatives will:
BP’s staff and representatives are strictly prohibited to:
5.5 Reporting incidents
Definition: concerns or allegations referring to harm-related incidents that directly involve participants to the Big Picture’s activities.
Who can report: any child, parent, caregiver, person, or partner organisation working for or with Big Picture.
How to report:
For all reported child-abuse incidents, BP requires that the child’s best interest be the first priority. In addition, all incidents must be dealt with promptly, and they must be handled in a confidential manner that does not harm the victim or the person reporting the abuse.
It is mandatory for BP professionals to report all forms of violence against children that were. BP will collaborate with local and national Child Protection Authorities in any situation where a child abuse is reported.
6. Response protocol and responsibility
The President of the Big Picture is primarily responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the Child Protection Policy and its procedures.
The President of the Big Picture designates a Child Protection Responsible Person who is responsible for:
7. Publication and Review
This Child Protection Policy is published on the website of Big Picture.
This CPC and will be regularly reviewed, in accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children, following any changes within BP.