The Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth development section is aware of its very great responsibility with regard to the treatment of children and young people.

It is therefore a matter of course for us and our coaches and staff to actively assume this responsibility for the well-being and rights of the children and young people entrusted to us and to protect them in our environment from neglect, abuse, sexualized violence, as well as from health impairments and discrimination of any kind.

With clear rules, we create trust, maintain clearly defined boundaries, respect the individual boundary sensibilities of the children and youths entrusted to us, and ensure that the children and youths also respect these boundaries in their dealings with each other. The coaches and staff actively represent the rules of non-violent, fair and social behaviour and also actively enforce them between the children and young people.

Our entire staff acts proactively as soon as it becomes necessary to protect children and young people and to promote them in an age-appropriate manner. Every individual at the Bayer 04 performance centre is called upon to do this! Looking the other way is not an option for us and protects the wrong people. An open culture, on the other hand, supports and expands the possibility of raising misgivings. And we live this open culture in our performance centre.

In addition to the statutory provisions for the protection of minors (JuSchG), the following regulations apply to all events in the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH portfolio for children and young people.

1. PHYSICAL CONTACT

Physical contact with the children and youths entrusted to us, e.g. encouragement, congratulation or consolation, must not exceed what is pedagogically reasonable and legally permitted. Even permitted physical contact must cease immediately if a child or young person does not want it.

2. HANDLING PHOTO AND VIDEO MATERIAL

If pictures or photos of Bayer 04 are taken for reporting purposes and children are visible on them, the declaration of consent of the legal guardians will be obtained in advance. In the case of publication, all other applicable legal provisions will be complied with (including §§ 22, 23, 24 & 33 KunstUrhG, as well as § 201a StGB). Photos or videos of the children and young people entrusted to us will not be distributed via private social media.

3. MEASURES IN CONNECTION WITH OVERNIGHT STAYS

In the case of mixed groups, accommodation is selected according to the requirements and the rooms are occupied separately according to the gender of the children and young people (m/f/d) entrusted to us. Likewise, gender-appropriate care is ensured. Staff, supervisors and coaches do not spend the night in the same room as the children and young people entrusted to us, unless this is necessary to maintain the duty of supervision. This will be discussed in advance with the parents or guardians in individual cases. Before entering the rooms, we knock and announce entry. We avoid situations where we are alone in a room with a child or adolescent. If this cannot be avoided, the doors remain open.

4. SHOWER AND CHANGING SITUATIONS

We do not shower together with children and young people. During changing, we are not present in the locker room unless the maintenance of order and supervision requires it. Only after consultation with the parent or guardian will assistance be implemented during locker room situations, if needed. Taking photos or video footage of children and young people in the showers or locker rooms is punishable by law and will be punished accordingly by Bayer 04.

5. MEDICATIONS AND ALLERGIES

Before events with catering, we inquire about allergies or similar illnesses of the participants entrusted to us with their legal guardians. The staff, supervisors and coaches must be informed of any medication, e.g. tablets or syringes, that the participants may take with them. Written permission to administer the medication in an emergency or as needed must also be provided. Staff, supervisors and coaches must be informed about the medications carried and their administration (circumstances/method). Staff, supervisors and coaches do not provide any external medication (e.g. painkillers) and provide first aid in an emergency. Appropriate care is provided until the child is handed over to the parent or guardian, e.g. in the event of a necessary hospital stay.

6. SUPERVISION

Children and young people entrusted to us are supervised by our staff, supervisors and coaches in the context of an event within an appropriate framework. The staff, supervisors and coaches are aware of their position of trust and authority and do not exploit any dependencies.

This depends on various structures, e.g. the group or age structure, and is communicated in advance if necessary. The supervision ratio is determined on the basis of the same structures, and corresponding staff, supervisors and coaches are deployed accordingly.

7. TRANSPARENCY IN ACTION

We are transparent in our actions, and we are always available to answer questions from guardians. We intervene immediately as soon as we become aware of abuse or violence. No consideration is given to collegial structures. There is no "policy of silence" with regard to the parents or guardians. All staff, supervisors and coaches are always vigilant and always have an open ear for reports from the children and young people entrusted to them.

8. VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Compliance with the provisions of this Code of Conduct is mandatory for all staff, supervisors and coaches. Culpable violations of this Code of Conduct will be punished under employment law.