Acknowledgements

Since 2020, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany has been a member of the National Coalition Germany – Network for the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the National Coalition for developing its child protection policy, which was created in collaboration with children and young people and forms the basis of our child protection policy.

I would also like to express my particular gratitude to Prof. Manfred Liebel.

Vanessa Masing – Berlin, February 2026

Safeguarding Policy as pdf

1. Introduction

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by Kurt Hahn and Prince Philip with the aim of promoting the holistic personal development of young people. Today, the programme is run in 130 countries under the name The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (in some countries under other names). More than 1.2 million young people take part every year. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany was founded in 1994 as a registered association.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, with its fundamental principles, forms the basis of the association’s work. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children are entitled to protection, support and participation rights. These rights are inseparable. Even though the child protection guideline places a special focus on protection from violence, the other rights in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and all applicable state laws must also be taken into account.

In May 2020, the board decided to develop a child protection policy in addition to the existing code of conduct. The decision was guided by the awareness that the working relationships of our association and the programme providers we license are not free from violence, and that an association that publishes a programme for children and young people also has a special responsibility to uphold children’s rights.

This child protection policy covers the activities of the administrative office and the association’s committees and is part of the licence agreement concluded between the association and programme providers.

2. Purpose and target audience of the child protection policy

2.1 Children and young people

This Child Protection Policy has been developed to ensure that the rights of children and young people are respected during their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme in Germany and that children and young people are protected from violence. In this context, it is important to us to inform children and young people about their rights in a child- and youth-friendly, understandable manner and to point out opportunities for participation and complaint. Since 2020, our association has been cooperating with the children’s rights forum Helpando, which provides children and young people with an independent means of complaint.

2.2 Employees

These standards serve to raise awareness among employees and provide guidance on common core values and behavioural guidelines. They also provide concrete guidelines for dealing with suspected cases.

These guidelines and standards serve to protect employees and external specialists who work with children and young people on behalf of the association. In the event of a suspicion, a fair procedure must be guaranteed. If the suspicion is refuted, measures shall be taken to restore the person’s reputation (see Chapter 5, Case Management).

2.3 Volunteers

Many people work for the association on a voluntary basis, for example on the board, on the advisory board, as scientific advisors or in auditing. Contact with children and young people is possible, particularly when working on projects, but not only there. These guidelines and standards serve to raise awareness among volunteers and offer guidance and specific guidelines for action.

Our volunteers also include employees of programme providers who run the Award programme at their schools. These guidelines and standards serve to raise awareness among volunteers, some of whom are also full-time employees, and offer guidance and specific rules of conduct. At the same time, these individuals are subject to the protection standards of their own organisation and all relevant laws.

3. Violence against children

3.1 Legal framework

The rights of children and young people, including their protection from all forms of violence, are enshrined in various conventions and laws at global, national and regional level.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the three additional protocols (Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, concerning firstly the involvement of children in armed conflict, secondly, the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and thirdly, a communication procedure) form the overarching reference framework for the Child Protection Policy of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany. The four fundamental principles contained therein, which encompass the right to equal treatment, the primacy of the best interests of the child, the right to life and personal development, and respect for the views of the child, are a natural part of our approach.

In Article 1, the Convention defines ‘every human being below the age of eighteen years

as a child, unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier’.

In Germany, key elements of child and youth protection include the Federal Child Protection Act of 2012 and the right to non-violent upbringing in Section 1631 of the Civil Code (BGB) from 2000.

3.2 Definitions

Definition of violence

Violence violates the child’s rights to physical and psychological integrity. Violence against children occurs in many different forms and situations and is usually associated with power imbalances and dependencies. It can be perpetrated by adults, but also by children against other children; it can manifest itself on the internet or social media, or be initiated via the internet; it also includes violence by children against themselves (e.g. self-harm). In many cases, children are exposed to multiple forms of violence – sometimes simultaneously – and some groups of children, such as unaccompanied refugee minors, girls* or children with disabilities, are at increased risk. Violence occurs in various settings, e.g. in the home, in private institutions, medical facilities, child and youth welfare institutions, etc.

Inadequate implementation of the prohibition of violence, lack of monitoring and lack of legal protection can lead to structural or institutional violence against children. The child protection policy of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany uses a broad definition of violence, which is also based on Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.1

Physical violence

According to the World Health Organisation, physical violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, a group or community. It results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.2

Sexualised violence

Sexualised violence is understood here as the enticement or coercion of children into sexual acts.3 Sexualised violence often occurs in conjunction with sexual exploitation, for example in the production and distribution of depictions of sexualised violence on the internet. Sexualised assaults can also manifest themselves through the use of words and terms that are not age-appropriate, through actual or threatened sexually motivated touching of a child, through activities without physical contact, such as showing pornographic material or showing or touching one’s own genitals in the presence of the child.

Psychological violence

Psychological violence includes forms of abuse involving psychological or emotional pressure. This includes humiliating the child, e.g. through discrimination, racism, verbal abuse,

intimidation, ignoring, isolating and locking up, witnessing domestic violence and highly contentious custody proceedings, stalking, mobbing/bullying and cyberbullying, as well as other forms of psychological violence that manifest themselves primarily in relationships or via the internet, such as incitement, discrimination and grooming. Adultism is also a form of discrimination in the context of psychological violence. Children experience adultism through various everyday behaviours and expressions.

Neglect

Neglect involves withholding services that satisfy children’s needs (physical, psychological, emotional, social, cognitive).

Digital violence

Digital violence includes intentional boundary violations and acts of violence that are initiated, perpetrated, accompanied and/or sustained through digital media or digital devices in the digital space (e.g. insults, belittlement, harassment, discrimination, threats). Digital violence often occurs in conjunction with analogue violence.

Other forms of violence

Other forms of violence and contexts of violence, such as ‘harmful practices’, child trafficking, structural violence or the gender dimension of violence, are necessary for a holistic view of violence. The present child protection policy focuses on the above-mentioned forms of violence.

Discrimination

Discrimination is based on social inequalities. It becomes apparent when people or groups of people are disparaged or directly or indirectly disadvantaged on the basis of actual or attributed characteristics. It only functions socially in combination with structural power exercised by the privileged, dominant group over the group that is made ‘other’. Discrimination operates at intrapersonal (internalisation), interpersonal (interaction), institutional, cultural-discursive and societal levels. Examples of discrimination include: classism, (anti-Muslim) racism, anti-Semitism, (hetero)sexism, ableism, bodyism/lookism, adultism, ageism and many more.

4. Preventive measures

The core elements of the preventive measures4 within the framework of the child protection policy at the office consist of the code of conduct, the standards for hiring or commissioning employees, and awareness-raising measures. In addition, a child protection officer is appointed and standards for cooperation with external persons and the media are established.

4.1 Code of conduct

All persons who work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany or are commissioned by the association sign the code of conduct. In doing so, they commit themselves to contributing to a protected environment for children and other vulnerable persons. This applies in particular to employees, external specialists or project staff, as well as volunteers on the executive board or advisory board. The code of conduct aims to ensure a professional and personal standard of protection. By signing the code of conduct, the signatory undertakes to actively contribute to creating and maintaining an environment that is safe for children. All employees of the office are responsible for observing, publicising and disseminating the code of conduct.

Acceptance of the code of conduct is a prerequisite for working at the office or in a voluntary capacity. For employees, signing the code of conduct is a prerequisite for taking up employment.

→ Code of conduct, see Appendix 4

4.2 Recruitment

All full-time and voluntary employees, representatives and short-term contractors working for the association are carefully selected and vetted.

Job advertisements and work or fee contracts contain a reference to the association’s child protection standards.

During the recruitment or selection process, questions relating to child protection are discussed in the selection interview. Candidates are made aware of the child protection guidelines during the interview. Identification with the child protection guidelines and a commitment to comply with the code of conduct are prerequisites for employment.

When new employees are hired and agreements are made with volunteers and freelancers, the issue of violence against children is addressed. An extended police clearance certificate must be provided if the job involves direct contact with children. All employees are informed about the child protection policy in a personal interview.

4.3 Awareness-raising measures and further training

The Children’s Rights Network ensures that all employees have a basic knowledge of violence prevention, non-violent behaviour, including sexualised violence, and recognising signs, and that they can take advantage of further training on the subject of violence prevention and intervention. To this end, information events and training courses are offered for the relevant group of employees (both internal and external).

4.4 Child protection officer

The Board (Vorstand) of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany is tasked with appointing a contact person at the office to take on the role of child protection officer. It is also possible to appoint an ombudsperson outside of Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany. The association further uses the services of Helpando, a helpline which young people and young adults can contact directly and confidentially.

The main tasks of the child protection officer are:

• Supporting and ensuring the implementation of the child protection policy
• Carrying out risk analysis
• Monitoring and annual reporting to the management and at member meetings
• Acting as a contact person in suspected cases, as well as providing support and crisis management
• Publicising opportunities for participation and complaint procedures for children and young people

The job profile for the child protection officer can be found in Appendix 5.

4.5 Standards for cooperation and communication on social media

In order to protect children and young people from dangers such as violence, discrimination or stigmatisation, the office ensures that the standards of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are taken into account in the production and dissemination of media content and that the dignity of children is preserved and their identity protected.

The office informs media representatives about the guidelines for reporting, including protective measures for particularly vulnerable children, and also conducts personal briefings for them if necessary. The office is committed to exercising care when creating and publishing photos of children and young people. The guidelines for reporting serve as a guide.

If, for example, photos are to be published on social media or on the website as part of a project documentation, the children and young people must give their consent, and the separate consent of their legal guardian(s) must also be obtained in each case.

In accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, those depicted must have the option of withdrawing their consent at any time. Care must be taken to ensure that locations and other identifying information that could lead to the whereabouts of children are changed. The issue of photo rights is regularly discussed at the office in order to adequately protect the privacy of children and young people.

4.6 Declarations of consent and agreement

For events, especially those lasting several days and involving travel, the supervision regulations and youth protection laws of the respective event locations must be observed. In this context, agreements are made with children, young people and their legal guardians.

Data protection and image rights

With regard to photos, videos and other personal information about the lives of children and young people that are used in the network’s materials or whose data is processed in other ways, the standards of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) must be complied with.

If the minor is under 14 years of age, the consent of the legal guardians is mandatory. If the minor is over 14 years of age, the written consent of the young person is sufficient.

In principle, written consent should also be obtained from children under the age of 14. Children and young people must be informed in an understandable manner about how the information, image or film will be used and that they have the right to refuse consent or to revoke it later (right to one’s own image). They must be asked whether they agree to their first name being shared with the information, image or film.

Interviews with children and young people

Interviewing children requires certain skills. The following basic principles should be observed to ensure that the dignity and rights of children are respected.

Before the child agrees to be interviewed, they must be informed about the purpose and planned topics of the interview, as well as their right to withdraw their consent at any time. At the beginning of the interview, the interviewer should check that the child understands what they are agreeing to.

An additional person with whom the child is familiar should be present during the interview. Wherever possible, the child should be given the choice of who supports them during the interview. Before the interview begins, it should be made clear that the child only has to speak if they feel comfortable doing so and that they can terminate and withdraw their consent at any time. The different needs of children and young people must be taken into account, for example, whether it would be more comfortable to speak to a man or a woman.

If the interview is recorded, the child must be informed of this and written consent must be obtained from the child or young person and their legal guardian(s).

5. Case management

5.1 Applicable principles

If a suspected case becomes known to the office, the following principles apply:

• the action plan for suspected cases or crises
• Responsibility of the child protection officer (KSB)
• Reporting form
• Complaint management
• Information about complaint management for employees, cooperation partners and external service providers
• Information about complaint management in a form and language appropriate for children and young people

5.2 General standards

The association investigates every reported suspected case. Appropriate guidelines for crisis situations have been developed to ensure professional handling. The case management procedure provides a frame of reference and is intended to ensure the flow of information. All decisions within the case management system are based on the welfare and protection of the child. Rapid access to support services must be ensured in order to prevent further harm to the child.

All employees as well as external specialists and service providers are familiar with the case management system. Furthermore, all cooperation partners are informed about the procedures of this system. Children and young people are informed about the complaints management system and the contact persons in an appropriate manner and in understandable language. This applies in particular when the office itself carries out projects that involve direct contact with children.

In all cases, it is of central importance to remain calm and never to question either the victim or the suspect directly about the incident. Protecting the victim is the highest priority; this requires a sensitive approach. The aim of the case management system is to enable an adequate and rapid investigation of the respective situation in the event of reports and to identify cases of violence at an early stage. The child protection officer should be notified within 24 hours of the report becoming known.

The child protection officer decides on further cooperation with the person until the matter has been clarified; in particularly serious cases, cooperation may be suspended. The investigations must be carried out in accordance with data protection guidelines and on the basis of a fair procedure. The respective procedures are necessarily differentiated according to internal and external persons and can be found in detailed form in Appendix 8.

5.3 Guidelines for crisis situations and procedures for dealing with reports

The central point of contact is the child protection officer at the head office.

The child protection officer carries out the initial investigation and decides on further steps in consultation with the executive board. The persons concerned are informed of the procedure in compliance with applicable data protection regulations and confidentiality obligations.

If the full-time child protection officer or the executive board is unavailable, it is ensured that a person from the office informs a volunteer child protection officer, who then determines the next steps as the representative of the absent person.

If the suspicion is directed at the full-time child protection officer or the executive director, the honorary child protection officer must be informed immediately. The honorary child protection officer will then take over the further case management in consultation with the person at the office who is not under suspicion.

There are basically three different types of cases that the office might have to deal with:

1. The reports are about someone who works at the office or someone who has access to young people through their job or a contract with the office.
2. The reports concern an Award Operator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany or persons who have access to children through the member organisations.
3. In the course of carrying out activities, employees of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany become aware of violence against children with reference to persons, organisations or institutions that are outside the immediate jurisdiction or responsibility of the office, for example within the family.

While the present child protection policy provides guidance on how to proceed in the first case, in the second and third cases, the child protection officer is primarily responsible for initiating further steps.

6. Documentation and further development

The office regularly reviews the implementation of the child protection policy. The child protection officer reports once a year on activities related to child protection to the executive board and the general meeting.

In addition, the child protection officer and the executive board regularly exchange information on current cases and news in the area of child protection. The employees of the administrative office inform each other and plan necessary training courses. The aim is to establish a process of continuous internal learning to improve the child protection system. Each individual report is finally documented using the specified forms and filed in accordance with data protection regulations for sensitive data.

Incidents and complaints are not only handled professionally, they also serve the learning process of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany. The child protection officer is responsible for documentation and the annual status report to the executive board and the general meeting. The report includes experience gained from ongoing work and suggestions for changes in the handling of future cases. Documentation and reporting ensure transparency.

Every three to five years, the child protection policy is subject to an internal review and, if necessary, revised. An initial evaluation and accompanying revision of the 2020 child protection policy took place in 2025.

7. Publication of the Child Protection Policy

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany has published the Child Protection Policy on its website and included it in its internal knowledge management system. The Child Protection Officers are initiating further steps for communication and further development.

8. Validity of the Child Protection Policy

The Child Protection Policy of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Germany came into effect on 1 October 2020. The revised version was created in February 2026.

Berlin, 6 February 2026

ANNEX