Code of Conduct.

 
 

Code of Conduct for staff & freelancers working for cliffTop projects cic

Purpose:

This code outlines the behaviour Clifftop Projects expects from all our staff and freelancers. This includes anyone who is undertaking duties for the organisation, whether paid or unpaid.

Clifftop Projects is responsible for making sure everyone taking part in our services has seen, understood and agreed to follow the code of conduct, and that they understand the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.

Your role:

In your role at Clifftop Projects you are acting in a position of authority and have a duty of care towards everyone we work with. You are likely to be seen as a role model and are expected to act appropriately.

Responsibility:

You are responsible for:

  • prioritising the welfare of children and young people.

  • providing a safe environment for children and young people.

  • following our policies.

  • staying within the law at all times.

  • modelling good behaviour.

  • challenging all unacceptable behaviour and reporting any breaches of the code of conduct to Lottie Barker, Artistic Director or if concerning Lottie to a member of Clifftop Projects’ board.

  • reporting all concerns about abusive behaviour, following our safeguarding and child protection procedures this includes behaviour being displayed by an adult or child and directed at anybody of any age.

  • informing Clifftop Projects if any member of your household is being investigated for an offence against a child.

Rights & Respect:

You should:

  • treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination.

  • listen to and respect participants at all times.

  • value and take children’s contributions seriously.

  • respect a participant’s right to personal privacy as far as possible - if you need to break confidentiality in order to follow child protection procedures, it is important to explain this to the child or young person at the earliest opportunity.

  • never discriminate based on age, disability, gender, marriage status, pregnancy, racial heritage, ethnicity, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, and appreciate that all participants bring something valuable and different to Clifftop Projects.

  • challenge discrimination and prejudice.

  • encourage anyone to speak out about attitudes or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

Relationships:

You should:

  • promote relationships that are based on openness, honesty, trust and respect.

  • avoid favouritism.

  • be patient with others.

  • exercise caution when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people.

  • ensure your contact with children and young people is appropriate and relevant.

  • ensure that whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people.

  • if a situation arises where you are alone with a child or young person, ensure that you are within sight or hearing of other adults.

Unacceptable behaviour:

When working with children and young people, you must not:

  • allow concerns or allegations to go unreported.

  • take unnecessary risks.

  • smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances.

  • give young people your phone number, social media or any other way to contact you or reply to any messages they may send you. 

  • arrange to meet them outside of sessions or Clifftops-related activity 

  • act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive.

  • patronise or belittle participants.

  • make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children and young people.

Upholding this code of conduct:

If you have behaved inappropriately you will be subject to our disciplinary procedures. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may be asked to leave Clifftop Projects. We may also make a report to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority child protection services.

If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to Lottie Barker. If necessary, you should follow our safeguarding and child protection procedures as outlined in our Safeguarding Policy.