Standards for the Protection of Minors is a set of procedures and rules to which tourist facilities such as hotels, where adults often stay with children, are committed. Proper verification and the application of clear procedures in case it is noticed that a child may be harmed aim to increase the protection of minors against violence.

Child Protection in Hotels

The amendment to the law, which obliged hotels among others to prepare and implement Standards for the Protection of Minors in hotel facilities, aims to increase the safety of children and youth staying on the premises. Some of the most important activities that a hotel is obliged to carry out after introducing SOM procedures include:

  • Identity Verification – More thorough identification of the child during registration at the reception and verification of the identity of adults checking in with a child. To identify the relationship between the child and the adult, the hotel staff is obliged to carry out the verification in accordance with all procedures. The person checking in with the child must have appropriate documents and be able to confirm that they are the actual legal guardian or have proper authorizations (e.g. consent from the parent specifying the child’s details, place of residence, phone contact to the parent or legal guardian, as well as the PESEL number or another identity document number of the person to whom the parent or guardian has entrusted care of the child).
  • Staff Training – The hotel is obliged to conduct appropriate training, and every hotel employee is required to undergo training. The trainings are designed to teach how to properly recognize and respond to situations that may indicate that a child is subjected to violence or is in threatening situations.
  • Preparation of Appropriate Intervention Procedures – The hotel is obliged to prepare appropriate procedures aimed at increasing the safety and protection of children staying at the facility. The procedures may include rules concerning intervention in cases when a minor guest is in danger, suspected sexual crimes against the child, or other forms of violence. Procedures should clearly define the required actions, and employees are obliged to familiarize themselves with them through training.
  • Monitoring and Increased Security – The hotel may also be required to enhance video monitoring in public areas where guests stay to improve supervision of what happens on the premises. Ensuring a high level of security also requires employees to be more vigilant towards persons with children staying at the hotel, to learn to recognize concerning behaviors, use appropriate procedures, and respond to harm to minors. Providing protection for children staying at the facility should be one of the hotel’s priorities to create a safe and friendly place for minors.

What are Hotel Staff Obliged to Do?

Obligations resulting from the introduced Standards for the Protection of Minors impose a series of actions on hotel staff aimed at protecting children against violence. The hotel is obliged to implement appropriate procedures to establish proper and legal actions in case of suspected harm to the child. Strictly defined procedures for appropriate response in case of suspected crime (e.g. sexual abuse of children, physical violence, other forms of violence and aggression) are fundamental to ensuring a safe environment for children staying in tourist facilities, including hotels.

The hotel is obliged to educate its employees, including conducting training on situations that may indicate harm to children staying at the hotel and on appropriate reaction to such situations. Hotel staff are required, among other things, to attend training on the Standards for the Protection of Minors (SOM), which is confirmed by signing a declaration. Every employee hired to work with children is also required to undergo periodic training, which the employer must document.

Standards for the Protection of Minors at Hotel Szary Residence

As a hotel for which the safety of our guests is a priority, we adopt the Standards for the Protection of Minors. The document confirming the application of these Standards is the set of rules and procedures attached below, which are applied in case of suspicion that a child staying at Hotel Szary Residence is experiencing harm. The document also defines actions aimed at preventing such threats. Each of our employees receives full training on the Standards for the Protection of Minors, which is additionally confirmed by a declaration. We ensure that our hotel is a safe and welcoming environment also for the youngest.

The document “Standards for the Protection of Minors” at Hotel Szary Residence is publicly available and implemented in accordance with regulations. The full range of procedures and the set of rules can be found in the attached pdf file: “Standards for the Protection of Minors Szary Residence”.