Operational standards and indicators on the reception conditions of unaccompanied minors 

 Indicators

5. Staff

22. Ensure sufficient
qualified staff is provided for the
day-to-day care of
unaccompanied
children.

22.1 The reception facility has to provide for sufficient qualified staff to carry out the day-to-day care of unaccompanied children.

23. Ensure that staff
is sufficiently
qualified.

23.1 Staff working with unaccompanied children in the reception context has clear terms of reference (job description).

23.2 Staff working with unaccompanied children in the reception context is qualified in accordance with national law and regulations concerning his or her particular terms of reference (job description).

23.3 Staff working with unaccompanied children in the reception context do not have a record of child-related crimes and offences, or crimes and offences that lead
to serious doubts about their ability to assume a role of responsibility with regard to children.

24. Ensure staff is
provided with the necessary and appropriate training.

24.1 Without prejudice to the need to provide specific training to staff working with unaccompanied children in the reception context, all training should be aligned to the broader framework of a Code of Conduct specifying the key concepts and principles underlying the work in the reception context.

24.2 Staff working with unaccompanied children in the reception context has a thorough and timely introduction into his or her role.

24.3 A clear training curriculum including the training requirements for each functional group exists for assessing, determining, documenting and addressing special reception needs as soon as possible and throughout the reception period.

24.4 Training is provided in a regular manner and depending on the needs of staff.

24.5 Training provided includes gender and age-specific concerns, cultural training, conflict management, initial and specialised training on the identification of persons with special needs, awareness of mental health issues, recognising signs of radicalisation, and identification of victims of human trafficking as well as first aid and fire safety. 

25. Ensure and promote effective cooperation,
information sharing
and awareness.

25.1 Special needs recorded should be communicated to the relevant stakeholders in order to provide the
necessary guarantees (special needs) and support.

25.2 Regular cooperation, information sharing and awareness raising sessions and/or alternative arrangements are in place among those who are in contact with unaccompanied children due to their
profession and/or function, including social workers, education and health-care staff, registration officers, interpreters, facility managers, administration/coordination staff as well as representatives.

25.3 Representatives are informed by and inform other relevant actors working with unaccompanied children on the mental and social development of the unaccompanied child on a regular basis.

25.4 Confidentiality rules provided for in national and international law, in relation to any information those working with unaccompanied children obtain in the course of their work are respected. 

26. Provide support for staff working with
unaccompanied
children in the
reception context.

26.1 Different measures are available to help deal with difficult situations encountered during the reception work.

27. Ensure management,
supervision and
accountability via
regular – at least
yearly – monitoring
and adequate
support to staff is
taken into account.

27.1 The reception facility has to provide for a regular monitoring mechanism of staff performance to ensure day-to-day care of unaccompanied children.