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Description
The project responds to the problem of insufficient engagement of educational institutions in activities aimed at protecting children from violence. The analysis of statistical data shows that in 2019 the highest number of notifications about cases of family violence, made in accordance with the "Blue Card" procedure, was in the Mazowieckie and Silesian provinces. In the Silesian Province there were 8143 notifications, of which only 367 were submitted by people representing educational institutions. The qualitative research we conducted in 2017 and 2018 in educational institutions in Silesia revealed that professionals working with children, including school teachers and educators, do not have sufficient knowledge about the procedures and actions to be taken when there is a suspicion of violence against a child. In this project we want to improve early detection of cases of violence against children in the family (or situations of high risk of such violence) by implementing local child protection policies in selected 15 municipalities in the Silesian Province. Moreover, we want to develop working methods and tools to increase competences of people who deal with children’s protection against violence. The direct beneficiaries of the project are leaders operating in municipalities invited to participate in the project. We will provide them with trainings, supervision, meetings and conferences, thanks to which they will acquire skills to recognise symptoms of abusive behaviour towards small children. We will develop a methodology for early detection of cases of violence against children or situations of high risk of such violence. The project will result in the adoption of a local policies of protecting children from violence in municipalities participating in the project.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the problem of insufficient involvement of educational institutions and other institutions organizing free time for children (sports clubs, community centers, etc.) in activities protecting children against harm.
The analysis of statistical data conducted before the project implementation showed that in 2019, the largest number of reports of domestic violence cases made in accordance with the "Blue Card" procedure were in the Masovian and Silesian voivodeships. In the Silesian Voivodeship, 8,143 reports were recorded, of which only 367 were sent by people representing educational institutions.
Qualitative research conducted by us in 2017 and 2018 in educational institutions in Silesia showed that specialists working with children, including educators and teachers, do not have sufficient knowledge about the procedures and actions to be taken in the event of suspicion of child abuse.
The project aimed to increase the level of early detection of cases of violence against children (or situations of high risk of such violence) by implementing local child protection standards in selected 15 communes in the Silesian Voivodeship.
The intended effect of the project was to adopt a local standard for protecting children against harm in municipalities by way of an ordinance or resolution. The Standard was intended to become a quality mark for local governments in terms of protecting children against harm.
22 communes from the Silesian Voivodeship were supported under the project;-
- One agreement was signed with the Regional Center for Social Policy of the Silesian Voivodeship regarding cooperation in the implementation of the project "Child in the Center - creating local systems for protecting children against harm",
- 2 information conferences were organized; Number of people attending information conferences: plan: 200 people; execution of 252 people
- A total of 120 hours were carried out. Interpersonal training (3 groups, 40 hours each);
- 32 people took part in the interpersonal training;
- A total of 60 hours were conducted as part of the Study on Working with Abused Children, including: 10 hours Module I Legal and procedural aspects and 20 hours Module II Recognizing symptoms of child abuse and undertaking interventions, 10 hours. Module III Constructing effective preventive actions and 20 hours Module IV Child Abuse Protection Policy;
- 33 people started participating in the Study of Working with Abused Children;
- Conducted 187 hours consultations for leaders;
- A project evaluation report was prepared;
- A final report on the action research on the implementation of the standard in selected communes was prepared.
Number of communes that have developed and implemented local child protection policies: - plan of 15 communes; execution of 17 communes.
Project activities allowed some municipalities to prepare for the implementation of Child Protection Standards, which is now a legal obligation in accordance with the Act of July 28, 2023 amending the Act - Family and Guardianship Code and certain other acts, introduces the term "standards for the protection of minors", which is identical to child protection standards. Currently, all agencies that work with or have contact with children must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure that every child, regardless of age, has the right to be protected from harm. Due to the above, it is reasonable to assume that the project results are permanent and will be used in the future. The communes that joined the project are precursors on a nationwide scale in creating systemic activities to prevent child abuse.
- The project participants increased their competences and knowledge in the area of working with abused children and took their own actions at the local level in creating standards for protecting children against abuse.
- 17 communes in the Silesian Voivodeship have taken action to implement local standards for creating policies to protect children against abuse.
- The involvement of educational institutions in activities aimed at protecting children against violence has increased.
In the Silesian Voivodeship, as of the end of the project, there were as many as 804 registered facilities/institutions that meet the Child Protection Standard (information used from the website of the Empowering Children Foundation - map of institutions and organizations), which gives it second place in Poland (first in the Masovian Voivodeship).