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Child Protection Policy

Child Protection Policy

  1. Purpose Statement:
    • International Model United Nations seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children who participate in our programs and activities. By implementing this policy, our goals are to protect the children participating in our organization from any harm and provide a clear path of response for staff and volunteers in the event of suspected abuse or neglect.

  2. Provide a Safe Environment and Adequate Supervision of Children:

    International Model United Nations seeks to provide a safe environment and adequate supervision of children by implementing the following:

    • Adequate supervision and accountability
      At minimum, two approved staff or volunteers must be present with the children during programs and activities, and remain present until all children are back with their parent/guardian. At least one staff or volunteer must be an adult (age 18 or older).
    • Check-In/Check-Out
      Be sensitive to the way children interpret physical contact. All physical contact should be gentle and appropriate. Children have the right to refuse physical contact.
    • Discipline
      No physical discipline (hitting, slapping) may be used. When a child misbehaves, an adult may use redirection and/or verbal means to guide the child’s behavior.
    • physical Touch
      Preschool – age 17 Children must be checked in by a parent or guardian At check-in, identification “tags” will be provided and must be produced by the person picking up the child to verify his/her right to take the child. Preschool children will be given nametags which will also identify any allergies they may have.
    • Bathroom Help
      o Bathroom help: Children who use the bathroom must be accompanied by an adult. The adult should make sure the restrooms are unoccupied by non- participants before allowing children in the restroom and then remain outside the door. If the child requests help or the parent has noted that the child needs help, leave the door open and assist him or her.
    • Snacks and food allergies
      Due to severe food allergies, all classrooms are NUT FREE ZONES. Please be sure to check package labels on all snacks to ensure that they are not labeled as “contain”, “may contain” or “manufactured in a facility that also processes” any type of nut or nut oil.
    • Accidents, First Aid and Incident Reporting
      All adult staff and volunteers are allowed to administer minor first aid to injuries such as small cuts, bumps, and bruises. Always use gloves when dealing with blood. In case of a more serious injury, deal with the immediate need (i.e. apply pressure to stop the bleeding) and then contact IMUN Team member and your supervisor/lead as appropriate to assist. Any time a child is hurt, an accident/injury report needs to be filled out. This for can be found with IMUN Team member and should be given to the Secretary General once completed.
    • Breaks for Staff and Volunteers
      Sometimes interactions with children can become very frustrating. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are getting very angry with a child or a class, take a break. Contact your supervisor/leader and ask for a break or ask another classroom to combine classes while you take a break. Ensure you are calm and no longer angry before returning to the children.

  3. Recognize Suspected Child Abuse:

    Staff and volunteers are required by law to report suspected child abuse if they are a mandated reporter.
    Most employees and volunteers who work with children are mandated reporters.

    Categories of Child Abuse:

    • Bodily Injury
    • Serious Mental Injury
    • Sexual abuse or exploitation
    • Serious physical neglect
    • Likelihood of bodily injury or sexual abuse
    • Medical child abuse (also known as Munchausen by Proxy)
    • Per se definitions:
      • Physical violence that endangers the child
      • Restraining or confining the child
      • Shaking a child under one year old
      • Striking a child under one year old
      • Interfering with the breathing of a child
      • Having child present at a meth lab
      • Leaving the child in the care of a sexual offender
    • Engaging a child in a severe form of trafficking in persons or sex trafficking (includes sexand labor trafficking)

    International Model United Nations recognizes that mandated reporter training is necessary for staff and volunteers to recognize child abuse and understand how to report it. Therefore, International Model United Nations will host an in-person training twice a year, with the expectation that all staff and volunteers will attend one of the two trainings offered. New staff and volunteers who have never received mandated reporter training before will be required to take the online training before they begin working with children, if an in-person training is not immediately available.


  4. Report Suspected Child Abuse:

    Staff and volunteers are required by law to report suspected child abuse if they are a mandated reporter. Most employees and volunteers who work or volunteer with children are mandated reporters. Being a mandated reporter means that if you suspect that a child is being abused, you must report it.

    Reporting Steps:
    • If you suspect child abuse, you must immediately report it!
      • a. There are two ways to report it
        1. Contact IMUN's Secretary General at +91 999 741 5973
        2. ii. Make a report online (mandated reporters only) at IMUN's website
    • If you make a report by calling ChildLine, you must also complete and mail a Report of Suspected Child Abuse (CY47) form to the investigating agency within 48 hours.
    • After making the report, notify Secretary General that you have made a suspected childabuse report.

  5. Selection Process:

    All persons who desire to work/volunteer with the children participating in our programs and activities will be screened. This screening includes the following:

    • Written Application:
      All persons seeking to work with children must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The applications will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into previous experience with children, references, as well as disclosure of any previous criminal convictions. The application form will be send to you by a IMUN Team Member.
    • Background Checks:

      The following certifications are required:

      • Report of criminal history from the local police.
      • •Child Abuse History Certification from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse)
        • This certification is NOT required if the following criteria is met:
          The position the volunteer is applying for is an unpaid position but they must swear or affirm in writing that they are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of an offense.
    • Personal Interview:
      Upon completion of the application, a face-to-face interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position.