Community center operating rules

The general rule is to be polite. It may happen that a child is rude or foul-mouthed to staff and others, throws trash or spits on the floor, wades in with his shoes where it is forbidden, and so on. Staff need to respond to such behavior or more serious issues, such as bullying or physical abuse.

Responding to inappropriate behavior

• Minor disciplinary offenses: Staff will immediately speak to the child and reprimand them. In some cases, a child will be removed from the rest of the day, from an event or a specific after-school activity.
• Egregious or repeated violations: Staff consult with the director of the community center about the response and guardians are informed. If temporary expulsion (maximum 1 week) is necessary, guardians are given the opportunity to object. If necessary, cooperation with professionals is sought for counseling or support for the child.
• Very serious or repeated violations: If temporary expulsion and solutions are not effective and the offenses are very serious (causing mental or physical harm to others or property damage), a child may be suspended indefinitely from the work of the community center. Such a decision is subject to administrative law (right to object, proportionality, principle of non-discrimination and duty to investigate and provide information). Advice can be sought from the Office of the Department of Education and Culture on the procedure.

Physical intervention

If staff assess that a child's behavior poses a danger to themselves, other children or staff, they must respond immediately.

Principles:

• Emergency measures: Physical intervention is only used in extreme emergency when it is clear that other means are not sufficient to stop violence or prevent harm or property damage.
• Proportion: Force may not be used unless absolutely necessary. Never go beyond what is necessary and intervene immediately when danger has been averted.
• Collaboration: It is important that employees do not work alone in such situations, but rather call for assistance from colleagues, supervisors, or the police.
• Registration: The director records incidents of this nature, the course of the case and decisions, in accordance with privacy law, information law and administrative lawThe record shall include a description of the circumstances surrounding the incident, the incident itself, and an assessment of the risk that would have been created by inaction.

By law, it is illegal to sell, provide, or deliver alcohol to anyone under the age of 20. In law on addictive and narcotic substances The substances that are illegal in Iceland are specified.

The consumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited in the work of community centers. If consumption is suspected:

1. Conversation: The child is taken aside and informed about the suspicion and next steps.
2. Announcement: The guardian is called. If illegal drugs are suspected, the police are also called. The guardian is asked to pick up the child and the work process and next steps are discussed with them.
3. Alcohol: If a child has alcohol, it will be taken into the custody of the community center. Guardians can accept it or agree to have it disposed of.
4. Drugs: If it is suspected that the child is under the influence of drugs or drugs are confiscated, the police are contacted and the next steps are taken in consultation with them.
5. Follow-up: Within a week, a conversation takes place between the child, staff and guardians. The goal is to find ways to engage the child through constructive and self-enhancing work. If no solutions are found, the child is dismissed from work for a week.

Temporary expulsion from a community center

​​The director may temporarily deny a child access if there is suspicion that the child is under the influence of drugs while working at a community center or is distributing them.

• Condition assessment: In consultation with guardians, it is permitted to have a professional assess the child's condition regularly and deny them access until it is clear that they are no longer under the influence.
• Return: A child cannot fully participate in the work until the conditions for continued participation have been reviewed. Guardians shall be informed of when and under what conditions the child can return.

Notifications and procedures

The director reports the violation to the appropriate managers (department heads and division heads) who forward the information to the appropriate parties, for example the service center or child protection, depending on the nature of the case. The rules on privacy and sharing of personal information.

When handling deportation cases, the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (right to object, proportionality, equality and duty to investigate) are observed.

By law, it is illegal to sell or provide nicotine products to children (under 18 years of age). Nicotine products include cigarettes, snuff, e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, and other products containing nicotine. Such products are strictly prohibited on the job, whether indoors, on the premises, or at the front door.

Reactions to nicotine use

• On the property or at the front door: The child is informed of the violation of the rules and the guardian is called. A staff member assesses whether there is reason to expel the child for the remainder of the day or evening.
• Indoors: The child is informed of the violation of the rules and given a reprimand. The guardian is informed of the violation. If no other solutions are found, an assessment is made in consultation with the guardian whether the child needs to be temporarily dismissed from work. The guardian is given the opportunity to object before this occurs.
• Recording of products: If a child has nicotine products, they will be taken into custody by the community center. The child will be informed that the guardian will be contacted and informed about the matter. The guardian will decide whether to pick up the products or agree to have the staff dispose of them.

Repeated violations and follow-up

In the event of repeated violations, an agreement is made with the child with the aim of engaging them in the work without nicotine.

• Conversation: Within a week, a conversation takes place between the child and staff in close consultation with the guardians.
• Disclosure: Managers should always be informed about the decisions that are made.

Notifications and procedures

The director reports the violation to the appropriate managers (department heads and division heads) who forward the information to the appropriate parties, for example the service center or child protection, depending on the nature of the case. The rules on privacy and sharing of personal information.

When handling deportation cases, the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (right to object, proportionality, equality and duty to investigate) are observed.

To ensure safety and prevent nicotine use, drug use, or carrying weapons, staff may request to search bags or pockets if deemed necessary (for example, before trips or at larger events).

• Approval: A child's verbal consent should always be obtained before a search is conducted or unwanted items are taken into storage.
• Refusal: If a child refuses, they may need to be denied access to the community center or event. The professional judgment of the staff determines whether to contact the guardians. If there is reason to believe, for example, threatening behavior, the police may need to be called.

Unwanted items

Items that are not permitted on the job are confiscated. Examples of such items include:

• tag pens and spray cans
• lighters and matches
• knives or other weapons

The school authorities are contacted regarding unauthorized items. In the case of drugs, illegal knives or weapons, the police are called.

Procedure and notifications

All serious decisions, such as expulsions, are subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (right to object, proportionality, equality and duty to investigate). The director is responsible for reporting cases to the appropriate superiors and child protection if necessary.

When going on overnight trips, children and teenagers must agree in writing to follow the rules of procedure. In addition, parental consent must be provided for the child to go on the trip.