Skip to main content
Volunt2Thai – Volunteer in Thailand - V2T

Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

1. PURPOSE

Volunt2Thai (V2T) is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, rights and well-being of children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with the Volunt2Thai project, its participants, staff, families, schools and communities.

Children are at the centre of many V2T activities. The protection of children and vulnerable adults is therefore a fundamental part of all V2T project activities.


V2T does not tolerate abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect, discrimination, intimidation, humiliation or other inappropriate behaviour towards children or vulnerable adults. At the same time, this policy establishes clear and appropriate boundaries intended to protect both children and vulnerable adults and V2T participants and staff from misunderstandings and inappropriate or false allegations. The fundamental principle is: The safety, dignity and well-being of children and vulnerable adults must always be respected.

 

2. SCOPE


This policy applies to:


  • ·Volunt2Thai project management and staff;
  • ·all Project Participants, Cultural Exchange Participants and Volunteers participating in V2T activities;
  • ·activities at the Volunt2Thai Campus & Cultural Centre;
  • ·activities at or in cooperation with local schools;
  • ·activities involving children, vulnerable adults, families and local communities;
  • ·activities carried out in cooperation with local teachers, school directors and other community representatives.


Volunt2Thai works together with independent Thai schools, teachers, families and members of local communities. V2T does not assume the responsibilities of parents, guardians, schools, teachers, government authorities or other responsible organisations. V2T participants are guests and participants in the V2T programme. They do not assume formal responsibility for the education, supervision, custody or welfare of children and do not replace Thai teachers or other responsible adults. Where a school or other local organisation has its own safeguarding or child-protection rules, participants must also respect those rules.

 

3. DEFINITIONS


3.1 Child

For the purposes of this policy, a child means any person under 18 years of age.

Where applicable, V2T will also respect different age-related requirements under Thai law or requirements established by the relevant school or responsible authority.


3.2 Vulnerable Adult

A vulnerable adult means an adult who may require additional protection or support because of circumstances such as disability, illness, advanced age, cognitive impairment, dependency or other circumstances that may increase the person's vulnerability to abuse, exploitation, neglect or undue influence.


3.3 Project Participants

The terms Project Participant, Cultural Exchange Participant, Programme Participant and Volunteer may be used by V2T to describe persons participating in V2T activities. Participants are unpaid participants in the V2T project. They are not employees of V2T and are not given authority over children or vulnerable adults.


3.4 Abuse

Abuse includes, but is not limited to:


  • ·sexual abuse or sexual exploitation;
  • ·physical abuse;
  • ·emotional or psychological abuse;
  • ·intimidation or threats;
  • ·humiliating, degrading or deliberately shaming behaviour;
  • ·inappropriate physical punishment;
  • ·deliberate neglect;
  • ·other conduct that causes or is reasonably likely to cause physical or psychological harm.


3.5 Exploitation

Exploitation means using a child or vulnerable adult unfairly or improperly for personal, financial, sexual, social or other benefit.

 

4. BEST INTERESTS AND DIGNITY


All V2T activities involving children or vulnerable adults should be conducted with their safety, dignity and well-being as a primary consideration. V2T seeks to ensure that project activities provide a positive and respectful experience and that foreseeable risks are appropriately addressed. Participants must respect the personal boundaries, privacy, dignity and individual circumstances of children and vulnerable adults. Children must never be used as a means of promoting, advertising or presenting poverty, hardship or personal circumstances in a degrading or exploitative manner.

 

5. NON-DISCRIMINATION


V2T is committed to treating children and vulnerable adults with respect and without discrimination.

Participants must not discriminate against, humiliate, exclude or favour any individual on the basis of personal characteristics, family circumstances, economic circumstances, disability, appearance, gender, nationality, language, background or any other inappropriate distinction.

Particular attention should be given to children or adults who may be especially vulnerable or require additional support.

 

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 V2T Project Management


V2T project management is responsible for:

  • ·communicating this policy to participants;
  • ·establishing appropriate standards of conduct;
  • ·providing orientation and practical guidance;
  • ·responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns;
  • ·communicating, where appropriate, with schools, teachers, parents, guardians or relevant authorities;
  • ·taking reasonable steps to prevent unsuitable conduct within V2T activities;
  • ·deciding on appropriate measures where this policy is breached.


V2T may restrict or terminate a participant's participation where there are serious or repeated concerns regarding their conduct.

Where circumstances require, V2T may contact the relevant school, parents or guardians, local authorities or the police.


6.2 Local Schools and Teachers


V2T cooperates with local Thai schools and teachers. Schools and teachers remain responsible for their own students and school premises. Participants must follow reasonable instructions given by school directors, teachers or V2T project management. Participants must not assume authority or responsibility that has not been given to them.


6.3 Project Participants


Every participant is personally responsible for:

  • ·reading and understanding this policy;
  • ·following the applicable standards of conduct;
  • ·maintaining appropriate boundaries;
  • ·acting responsibly and respectfully;
  • ·promptly reporting safeguarding concerns to V2T project management;
  • ·following the instructions of V2T and cooperating schools.


A participant's responsibility is not reduced because a child behaves inappropriately, initiates contact or encourages conduct that is outside the permitted boundaries.

 

7. PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT, SCREENING AND ORIENTATION


All participants are informed about the principles of child and vulnerable adult protection as part of their V2T orientation.

V2T may request references, identification, background information or a criminal record check where this is considered appropriate for the participant, the activity, a partner institution or applicable requirements. Where a background check, reference or other information raises reasonable concerns regarding a person's suitability to participate in activities involving children or vulnerable adults, V2T may refuse, restrict or terminate participation. V2T does not guarantee that a background check or other screening process can identify all risks. Screening is therefore only one part of V2T's safeguarding approach. Participants are expected to disclose relevant information when specifically requested by V2T in connection with safeguarding requirements.

 

8. CODE OF CONDUCT


The following standards apply whenever participants interact with children or vulnerable adults as part of V2T activities.

8.1 Appropriate Boundaries


Participants must:


  • ·behave respectfully and appropriately;
  • ·maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries;
  • ·communicate in an age-appropriate and respectful manner;
  • ·respect privacy and personal space;
  • ·follow the instructions of teachers, school directors and V2T project management;
  • ·remain aware that participants may be in a position of trust when interacting with children.


8.2 Private Contact and Accommodation


Participants must not:


  • ·invite children to stay in their accommodation;
  • ·take children to their private room or private accommodation;
  • ·share a bed or sleeping accommodation with a child;
  • ·arrange private overnight stays with children;
  • ·make private arrangements with children outside the knowledge of V2T or the responsible school or adult.


Participants should avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations with children where a practical alternative involving another responsible adult is available.


8.3 Taking Children Outside the Project or School


Participants must not take a child or vulnerable adult away from a school, V2T activity or agreed project location without prior permission from the responsible school representative, V2T project management or another authorised responsible adult.

Participants must not independently arrange excursions or private activities with children.


8.4 Food, Money and Gifts


Participants must not give money, expensive gifts or personal benefits to individual children without prior agreement from V2T project management and, where appropriate, the school or responsible adult. Participants should avoid creating situations in which individual children become financially or personally dependent on a participant. Food or other small items may only be provided to children within the framework of an agreed V2T or school activity.


8.5 Physical Contact


Physical contact with children or vulnerable adults must always be appropriate to the circumstances. Participants must never engage in physical contact that is sexual, intimate, aggressive, intimidating or reasonably capable of being interpreted as inappropriate. Participants must never push, hit, slap, shake, threaten or otherwise use inappropriate physical force against a child or vulnerable adult. Where children initiate normal, culturally appropriate contact such as a handshake, high-five or similar interaction, participants should use reasonable judgement and maintain appropriate boundaries.


8.6 Emotional and Verbal Conduct


Participants must not:


  • ·humiliate or shame a child;
  • ·insult, threaten or intimidate;
  • ·deliberately frighten a child;
  • ·ridicule a child's appearance, family, abilities or economic circumstances;
  • ·use degrading or discriminatory language;
  • ·deliberately favour one child in a manner that excludes or humiliates others.


Participants are expected to remain calm and respectful even when a child behaves unexpectedly or inappropriately.

 

9. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND SOCIAL MEDIA


Photography and video involving children or vulnerable adults must be handled respectfully and in accordance with V2T requirements and the rules of the relevant school or activity. Participants must not photograph or record children in situations that are private, embarrassing, degrading or exploitative.


Participants must not publish identifying personal information about children or vulnerable adults together with images in a manner that could place them at risk. Where photography or video is part of an authorised V2T activity, participants must follow the instructions of V2T project management and the relevant school or responsible person. Participants must not independently create promotional campaigns, fundraising material or social-media content presenting individual children or vulnerable adults without appropriate authorisation.

 

10. TWO-ADULT PRINCIPLE


Where reasonably possible and practical, V2T encourages activities involving children or vulnerable adults to be conducted in an open environment with more than one responsible adult present. This principle is intended both to protect children and vulnerable adults and to protect participants and staff from misunderstandings or allegations arising from isolated situations.The principle should be applied reasonably according to the circumstances, the school environment and the nature of the activity.

 

11. REPORTING SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS


Any participant or V2T representative who becomes aware of suspected abuse, exploitation, violence, serious neglect or other serious safeguarding concerns must report the matter to V2T project management as soon as reasonably possible.

A participant should not attempt to conduct their own investigation.


Where appropriate, V2T may communicate with:


  • ·the relevant school director or teacher;
  • ·the child's parent or guardian;
  • ·the responsible community representative;
  • ·relevant local authorities;
  • ·police or other competent authorities.


Immediate action may be taken where there is an apparent risk of serious harm. Participants must not attempt to conceal, suppress or privately resolve serious safeguarding concerns. Reports will be handled as responsibly and confidentially as reasonably possible, taking into account the safety of the child or vulnerable adult and the requirements of the situation.

 

12. FALSE OR MALICIOUS ACCUSATIONS


V2T takes safeguarding concerns seriously. At the same time, an allegation does not automatically establish that misconduct has occurred.V2T will seek to handle safeguarding concerns responsibly and fairly, while prioritising the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Deliberately false or malicious accusations, fabricated reports or deliberate attempts to damage another person's reputation may themselves constitute a serious breach of V2T rules. Participants should therefore report genuine concerns promptly and factually and should avoid speculation or spreading unverified allegations.

 

13. BREACHES OF THIS POLICY


Failure to comply with this policy or the V2T Code of Conduct may constitute a breach of the participant's obligations under the V2T Terms and Conditions.


Depending on the circumstances, V2T may:


  • ·issue a warning;
  • ·restrict a participant's activities;
  • ·remove a participant from activities involving children or vulnerable adults;
  • ·require the participant to leave a school or project location;
  • ·terminate the participant's V2T participation;
  • ·notify a relevant school or responsible authority;
  • ·contact parents or guardians where appropriate;
  • ·notify police or other competent authorities where appropriate.


Serious misconduct may result in immediate termination of participation. Nothing in this policy limits the right of V2T or another responsible person to take immediate action where necessary to protect a child, vulnerable adult or other person from harm.

 

14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS


Participants must understand that they remain responsible for their own conduct at all times.Children and vulnerable adults may behave unpredictably, initiate physical contact, ask personal questions or behave in ways that could create an uncomfortable situation. Participants are nevertheless expected to maintain appropriate boundaries and seek assistance from V2T project management or responsible school staff when necessary. The purpose of this policy is not to discourage positive interaction with children. Rather, it is intended to ensure that such interaction takes place in a safe, respectful and transparent environment.

 

15. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE


By signing below, I confirm that:


1.I have received and read the Volunt2Thai Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy.

2.I understand the standards of behaviour expected of me.

3.I agree to respect the safety, dignity, privacy and rights of children and vulnerable adults.

4.I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in restrictions or termination of my participation in the Volunt2Thai programme.

5.I understand that serious misconduct may be reported to the relevant school, authorities or police where appropriate.

6.I understand that I am responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries with children and vulnerable adults at all times.

7.I agree to report serious safeguarding concerns to Volunt2Thai project management promptly.


Participants sign: