Mother with child

Protection concept

Below you will find information about the protection concept of the Psychological Counseling Center, adapted according to the target group. Simply open the accordion menu accordingly.

If you have any further questions on this topic, please contact the team at the advice center.

What is a protection concept and why does the advice center have one?

As a matter of principle, the Psychological Counseling Center treats all parents, children and adolescents in an impartial and respectful manner. The staff handle the information entrusted to them with care and strict confidentiality. Your concerns are always the focus of counseling.

  • For parents

    The well-being and protection of families and children is our absolute priority. We are therefore also there to support you if you are concerned about the protection of your child.

    It is just as important that children and young people are protected from devaluation, physical violence and sexual boundary violations at all times, including in our counseling center. A key aspect of protecting children and young people from violence is to never categorically rule out the possibility of it happening, even in your own environment.

    The NRW State Child Protection Act (1.5.2022) therefore obliges every facility that works with minors to develop its own protection concept.

    The team at the Psychological Counselling Center has engaged in an intensive process to develop a protection concept against violence against children and young people. The topic is addressed openly and without taboos and is continuously reflected upon. Possible risks have been analyzed and procedures developed to prevent them. All professionals have made a written and legally binding commitment to give top priority to the protection of all persons who come to the advice center.

  • For young people

    Your well-being and protection are our top priority. If you don't feel safe or protected somewhere (e.g. at school, at home, at sport), you can talk to us at any time. We will take this seriously and find a way to help you together.

    You should also feel safe and comfortable in our advice center. Protection from violence and sexual assault is a matter of course for us. It is important to never rule out the possibility of violence happening, even in your own environment.

    This is why institutions that work with children and young people are legally obliged to develop protection concepts. We have also worked intensively on this and talk openly about what risks there could be and how we can avert them. All professionals undertake in writing to ensure the protection of all persons who come to us.

    If you are dissatisfied with the cooperation with us or do not feel well, you have the right to talk to a person of your choice at any time, e.g. your counselor, the head of the counseling center, the head of the Youth Welfare Office or, of course, your parents.

  • For children

    We are here to talk to you if you have any questions. Or to help you if you're not feeling well.

    Sometimes we talk to you and your parents together and sometimes you talk to us alone without your parents.

    We have a playroom where you can play and a craft room where you can paint or make great things. It is very important to us that you feel really comfortable and safe here. Every child has a right to that!

    That's why we've developed something called a "protection concept". You may already be familiar with it from school or nursery, because there's something like it there too. It says,

    • that we take good care of you
    • that we always respect your boundaries
    • and that we take it particularly seriously if you have the feeling that something is wrong or that you are not feeling well

    For example, because someone asks you questions that you find really unpleasant. Or someone touches you and you think it's stupid. Or does something else that scares you or hurts your feelings. Nobody is allowed to do that! Not even here at the advice center. And if you do, then you have the right to get help, that's not snitching!

    Talk to your parents about it. Or with someone else you trust. The adults can then help you.