Staff Code of Conduct Policy
1. Aims, scope and principles
This policy aims to set and maintain standards of conduct that we expect all staff to follow.
By creating this policy, we aim to ensure our services are provided in an environment where everyone is safe, happy and treated with respect.
Role Models staff have an influential position in both delivering courses and providing childcare; they will act as role models for children by consistently demonstrating high standards of behaviour.
We expect that all Role Models will act in accordance with the personal and professional behaviours set out in this policy.
We expect all members of the Role Models team (including volunteers and interns) to also act with personal and professional integrity, respecting the safety and wellbeing of others.
Please note that this Code of Conduct is not exhaustive. If situations arise that are not covered by this code, management staff will use their professional judgement and act in the best interests of the company and the children, parents and schools they serve.
2. Legislation and guidance
In line with the statutory safeguarding guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, we should have a Staff Code of Conduct, which should cover acceptable use of technologies, staff/child relationships and communications, including the use of social media.
3. General obligations
Role Models staff set an example to children. They will:
- Maintain high standards in their attendance and punctuality
- Never use inappropriate or offensive language
- Treat children and others with dignity and respect
- Show tolerance and respect for the rights of others
- Not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
- Express personal beliefs in a way that will not overly influence children, and will not exploit their vulnerability or might lead them to break the law
- Understand the statutory frameworks they must act within
4. Safeguarding
Role Models staff have a duty to safeguard children from harm, and to report any concerns they have. This includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect.
Role Models staff will familiarise themselves with our Safeguarding Policy and procedures and the Prevent initiative, and ensure they are aware of the processes to follow if they have concerns about a child.
Our Safeguarding Policy and procedures are given to all Role Models during induction and training and are available from the Role Models office. They are also linked to at the end of this policy.
5. Role Models/child relationships
Staff will observe proper boundaries with children that are appropriate to their professional position. They will act in a fair and transparent way that would not lead anyone to reasonably assume they are not doing so.
If Role Models and pupils must spend time on a one-to-one basis, Role Models staff will ensure where possible that:
- This takes place in a public place that others can access
- Others can see in to the room
- A colleague/parent of child knows this is taking place
Role Models staff should avoid contact with children outside of ‘Role Models’ hours if possible.
Personal contact details should not be exchanged between staff and children. This includes social media profiles.
While we are aware many children and their parents may wish to give gifts to Role Models, for example, at the end of a course or end of a prolonged period of childcare, gifts from Role Models to children are not acceptable.
If a Role Model is concerned at any point that an interaction between themselves and a child may be misinterpreted, this should be reported to the Role Models team and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
6. Communication and social media
It is mandatory for you to be contactable via WhatsApp for the duration of the course for logistical communication with Role Models Headquarters as well as your other team members.
Role Models’ social media profiles should not be available to children. If they have a personal profile on social media sites, they should avoid using their full name, as children may be able to find them. Role Models should consider using a first and middle name instead, and or set public profiles to private.
Role Models will ensure that they do not post any images online that identify children who are linked with Role Models without their consent (and their parents’).
Consistent with our Code of Conduct, every RMLSL team member, whether working on a full-time, part-time or voluntary basis, must be respectful to others when conducting business on behalf of RMLSL or when they identify or could be identified as an RMLSL employee. Remember, even when you are on a personal account, your social media activity could be seen by customers or potential customers, so you should treat every interaction on social media as if you are dealing with a potential customer. While we value employee privacy and a diversity of perspectives across our workforce, RMLSL has zero tolerance for racism, bigotry, misogyny, express or implied threats of harassment or physical harm, or hate speech. “Hate speech” includes any speech – or endorsement or promotion of speech – that is derogatory toward a group of people based on a protected classification. This can include race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexuality, caste, gender or disability. For example, speech that dehumanizes, ridicules, or condones or promotes violence against a protected class of people is hate speech.
7. Acceptable use of technology
Role Models will not use technology during courses/workshops to view material that is illegal, inappropriate or likely to be deemed offensive. This includes, but is not limited to, sending obscene emails, gambling and viewing pornography or other inappropriate content.Role Models will not use personal mobile phones and laptops for personal use, during Role Models work or in front of children. Where appropriate, Role Models may be given permission to take photos of children completing activities on the course with their personal phones in order to attach these to end of day emails. Role Models must take responsibility for deleting ALL photos from ALL of their devices as soon as the course is over.
8. Confidentiality
In the course of their role, Role Models are often privy to sensitive and confidential information about the children and their parents/carers.This information will never be:
- Disclosed to anyone without the relevant authority
- Used to humiliate, embarrass or blackmail others
- Used for a purpose other than what it was collected and intended for
This does not overrule Role Models’ duty to report child protection concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead where staff believe a child is at risk of harm.
9. Honesty and integrity
Role Models should maintain high standards of honesty and integrity in their role. This includes when dealing with children, handling money, claiming expenses and using school/family property and facilities.
Role Models will not accept bribes. Gifts that are worth more than £100 must be declared to the Role Models team and recorded.
Role Models will ensure that all information given to the company about their qualifications and professional experience is correct.
10. Dress code
Role Models will dress in a professional, appropriate manner.
Outfits will not be overly revealing, and we ask that tattoos are covered up.
Clothes will not display any offensive or political slogans.
11. Conduct at work
Role Models will arrive at work in a presentable manner; not under the influence of alcohol or having recently smoked. Obvious smoke odor has been deemed unacceptable in family environments by the company.
12. Conduct outside of work
Role Models will not act in a way that would bring the company, or the services provided into disrepute. This covers relevant criminal offences, such as violence or sexual misconduct, as well as negative comments about the company on social media.
13. Monitoring arrangements
This policy will be reviewed every year but can be revised as needed.
14. Links with other policies
This policy links with our policies on:
We are committed to reviewing our policy and procedures annually. This policy was last reviewed in January 2024.