Black Youth Success Youth Safety & Safeguarding Statement
Black Youth Success (BYS) is committed to creating safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments for all children and youth participating in our programs, events, and activities. The safety and well-being of youth is a shared responsibility of BYS staff, volunteers, board members, partners, and anyone acting on behalf of the organization.
Volunteer Screening & Safeguarding
BYS takes steps to ensure that volunteers are appropriately screened, selected, trained, and supervised before working with youth.
All volunteers must be officially accepted by BYS and complete the required screening and enrollment procedures before beginning their volunteer assignment.
Depending on the nature of the volunteer role and the level of contact with youth, screening may include:
A Vulnerable Sector Check for positions where this is appropriate for the protection of clients.
Written parental or guardian consent for volunteers who have not reached the age of majority.
An application and interview to assess the volunteer's suitability, qualifications, and interest in the position.
References or additional background checks where appropriate.
Additional screening for volunteers who will have direct contact with at-risk clients.
Position-specific screening when a volunteer is reassigned to a different role.
BYS reserves the right to decline a volunteer when an individual does not agree to required screening or when the screening requirements for a position have not been completed.
All volunteers receive orientation and training appropriate to their role, including information about the organization, their program or activity, and the responsibilities of their specific position.
Volunteers working with youth are assigned a clearly identified supervisor who is responsible for their day-to-day management, guidance, and support.
Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries
Volunteers are expected to act professionally and respectfully when interacting with youth and to follow all BYS policies, procedures, and position requirements.
Volunteers must protect the privacy and confidentiality of youth and families and must not disclose information that could identify a client or participant without appropriate authorization. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in corrective action or termination of the volunteer relationship with BYS.
Concerns involving abuse, mistreatment, inappropriate conduct, breaches of confidentiality, violations of BYS policies, or behaviour that may place a young person at risk should be reported promptly.
How to Report a Concern
Anyone who has a concern about the safety, well-being, treatment, or conduct involving a youth, volunteer, staff member, partner, or other person participating in a BYS program is encouraged to report the concern as soon as possible.
Concerns may be reported to:
The youth's or volunteer's direct BYS supervisor, where appropriate and safe to do so; or
The BYS Manager when the concern involves a volunteer or cannot appropriately be addressed by the direct supervisor.
If the concern involves the direct supervisor, the Volunteer Program Manager, or another person who would normally receive the report, the concern should be brought to another appropriate senior member of BYS or the Board of Directors.
Individuals do not need to determine whether a concern constitutes misconduct or a policy violation before reporting it. If something does not feel safe, appropriate, or consistent with BYS expectations, it should be reported.
What Happens After a Concern Is Reported?
BYS will take concerns seriously and review them appropriately. Information will be shared only with individuals who need to know to respond to the concern, protect the youth or others involved, and take appropriate action.
Depending on the nature of the concern, possible actions may include:
Speaking with the individuals involved.
Increasing supervision and/or implementing additional safeguards.
Providing additional training or direction.
Reassigning a volunteer.
Suspending or ending a volunteer's involvement with BYS.
Consulting with senior management or the Board of Directors.
Making a referral or report to an appropriate external authority where required or appropriate.
BYS policy provides for corrective action, including additional training, reassignment, suspension, or dismissal of a volunteer when appropriate. It also identifies abuse or mistreatment of clients or co-workers and failure to follow agency policies and procedures as potential grounds for dismissal.
Where a volunteer leaves BYS or is dismissed for cause, the Volunteer Management Department is responsible for informing affected staff and clients as appropriate and communicating when further contact with the volunteer is outside the scope of their relationship with BYS.
Confidentiality and Protection From Retaliation
BYS will make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of concerns and reports. Information will only be disclosed to those who are authorized or who require the information to appropriately respond to the concern.
Individuals are encouraged to raise concerns in good faith. Reporting a concern will not, by itself, result in negative consequences for the person making the report.
BYS is committed to ensuring that youth have safe opportunities to participate in programs, ask questions, raise concerns, and seek help from trusted adults.
If there is an immediate risk of harm or an emergency, individuals should contact the appropriate emergency or child protection authority rather than relying solely on BYS's internal reporting process.