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Introductory remarks

The following definitions apply with regards to the standards and indicators listed in this subchapter:

  • ‘(Bed-)room’: a separate room defined by four walls with a door which can be closed, a window that can be opened and a ceiling. In accommodation centres or other shared housing, ‘bedrooms’ should always be understood as lockable rooms to which the staff have access.
  • ‘Family members’ should be defined in accordance with Article 2(c) RCD. 

STANDARD 44: Ensure sufficient space in the bedroom in collective housing.

Indicator 44.1: A minimum space of 4 m² per person is provided for each unaccompanied child.

  •  Additional remarks: This indicator can be further clarified depending on whether the room accommodates unaccompanied children who are not related or family members. Age could also be taken into account, e.g. housing an underage mother with her small children. Reference could be made to national legislation that defines the minimum of living space per person, if such is stipulated.

Indicator 44.2: About the minimum space of 4 m² per person, a minimum height of the room of 2.10 m is ensured.

Indicator 44.3: Sufficient space exists in the bedroom to place one bed and one cupboard.

STANDARD 45: Ensure respect for the privacy and safety of the children in collective housing.

Indicator 45.1: A maximum of four children are accommodated in one bedroom.

Indicator 45.2: Separate bedrooms for single male and female unaccompanied children exist and no access is possible for children of the opposite sex.

Indicator 45.3: The restriction of access should be ensured via separate facilities from adults.

  • Additional remarks: Adults may visit units accommodating unaccompanied children within the visiting hours when the visit is first agreed with the staff and the unaccompanied children concerned.

Indicator 45.4: A room creating a private setting (inside or outside the premises) for meetings with representative, legal aid, social worker, or other relevant actors is foreseen and available to unaccompanied children, when needed.

Good practice with regards to privacy of unaccompanied children
It is considered good practice to:

✓ provide a minimum passageway of at least 90 cm between the beds in order to allow for privacy;
✓ give children a personal key to their bedroom. This increases security for children who may be at greater risk of GBV, without prejudice to the security considerations of the reception facility.

 


STANDARD 46: Ensure that the housing is sufficiently furnished.

Indicator 46.1: The furniture for each bedroom includes, as a minimum:

46.1.1: one individual bed; AND

46.1.2:
study table and one chair per person either in the bedroom or the common areas; AND

46.1.3:
one lockable cupboard per child, big enough to keep personal belongings (such as clothes, money or
documents).

Indicator 46.2: In shared bedrooms, the cupboard is lockable.

Indicator 46.3: The common/living areas should be furnished in a homely and child-friendly manner including a sufficient number of tables, chairs, sofas and armchairs. There should be a common living room.

Indicator 46.4: In facilities where unaccompanied children cook for themselves, all of the following is provided and accessible in the kitchen:

46.4 1: sufficient refrigerator volume per person; AND

46.4.2:
sufficient shelf space per person; AND

46.4.3:
a minimum access to a stove per person; AND

46.4.4:
a minimum number of dishes, cups, cooking utensils, and cutlery per person.

  • Additional remarks: The sufficient refrigerator space could be further clarified by specifying the number of litres or shelves available per person.

Indicator 46.5: In facilities where catering services are provided, supervised food preparation training has to be accessible for unaccompanied children and the following items are provided and accessible in the kitchen:

46.5.1: sufficient refrigeration, oven/stove, and shelf capacity is provided and accessible; AND

46.5.2:
sufficient number of dishes, cups, cooking utensils, and cutlery provided and accessible.


STANDARD 47: Ensure sufficient, adequate, and functioning sanitary infrastructure in the housing.

Indicator 47.1: All children should have safe and effective access to a shower/bath, sink with hot and cold water and a lockable, functional toilet which can be opened from the outside by staff.

Indicator 47.2: At least one functioning and lockable toilet per eight children is accessible 24/7.

Indicator 47.3: At least one functioning shower or bath with hot and cold water exists per eight children.

  • Additional remarks: The ratio shower/child can be adapted if accessibility is ensured for longer periods during the day.

Indicator 47.4: At least one functioning sink with hot and cold water per ten children is accessible 24/7.

Indicator 47.5: If more than one shower is located in the bathroom visual separation is ensured.

Indicator 47.6: Separate toilets, sinks and shower facilities exist according to gender (visibly and understandably marked) except for small housing facilities.

  • Additional remarks: Apartments, studios and other housing for less than eight persons could constitute exceptions.

Indicator 47.7: Arrangements are in place to ensure that children may access the facilities safely and that the intimacy of unaccompanied children is at all times respected.

Indicator 47.8: Arrangements are in place to ensure that clothes and towels can stay dry while unaccompanied children are taking a shower.

Indicator 47.9: Specific arrangements are in place for unaccompanied children with special needs.

  • Additional remarks: Unlimited access to sanitary facilities should be available to unaccompanied children being parents for taking care of babies and small children.

Good practice with regards to sanitary infrastructure
It is considered good practice to:

✓ place the toilet in the same building as the bedroom and common areas and not outside;
✓ ensure that the shower facilities are individually lockable and that access is not restricted by time;
✓ pay attention to child safety by placing the sanitary installations in the vicinity or at a safe distance with well-lit access.


STANDARD 48: Ensure compliance of the housing with relevant national and local regulations.

Indicator 48.1: The housing is built in compliance with applicable local and national regulations.

Indicator 48.2: The housing is maintained and operated in compliance with relevant local and national regulations, taking into account all potential hazards.

  • Additional remarks: The following are examples to assess progress towards the appropriate standards for an accommodation centre: an evacuation plan for the accommodation centre is present and visible at all times, the routes for evacuation are free from obstacles, fire extinguishers are accessible.

Indicator 48.3: Sufficient natural light and fresh air enters the bedrooms and common/living areas of the housing while curtains and/or shutters are available to shut out the light when needed.

Indicator 48.4: An adequate temperature regulation system exists for all areas of the housing.

  • Additional remarks: The adequate temperature range would be determined in relation to the climate conditions in the location and the general standards applied for nationals. The minimum indoor temperature in winter must be 18 degrees and in summer, the maximum indoor temperature must be 28 degrees.

Indicator 48.5: The bedrooms and common areas are protected from excessive environmental noise.

  • Additional remarks: Environmental noise could for example be caused by machines, airplanes, trains, etc.


STANDARD 49: Ensure that the inside and outside infrastructure of a housing designated to house unaccompanied children with reduced mobility is adapted to their needs.

Alternative indicators on ensuring inside and outside infrastructure adapted to special needs:

Indicator 49.1: The housing is located:

49.1 a): on the ground floor; OR

49.1 b):
a lift adapted for use by persons with reduced mobility exists; OR

49.1 c):
stairs are not more than a maximum number, according to the degree of reduced mobility.

Indicator 49.2: The external approaches such as paths or drives have a firm, level surface.

Indicator 49.3: The entrance is designed to allow access for unaccompanied children with reduced mobility.

Indicator 49.4: Doorways and passageways inside of the housing are wide enough for wheelchair users.

Indicator 49.5: Grab rails exist for support in rooms and places that are used by unaccompanied children with reduced mobility.

Indicator 49.6: Adapted sanitary infrastructure exists, including, for example, walk-in showers, grab rails, sinks, and toilets at appropriate height for wheelchair users, as well as a surface of bathroom and toilet rooms sufficient for wheelchairs.