This behaviour code outlines the conduct Arts Emergency expects from all our staff and volunteers.
The behaviour code aims to help us protect children and young people from abuse and reduce the possibility of unfounded allegations being made. It has been informed by the views of children and young people. Arts Emergency is responsible for making sure everyone taking part in our organisation has seen, understood and agreed to follow the code of behaviour, and that they understand the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
The role of staff and volunteers
In your role at Arts Emergency you are acting in a position of authority and have a duty of care towards the children and young people we work with. You are likely to be seen as a role model and are expected to act appropriately.
Responsibility
You are responsible for:
o ensuring equipment is used safely and for its intended purpose
o having good awareness of issues to do with safeguarding and child protection and taking action when appropriate.
o including our policies and procedures for child protection/safeguarding, whistleblowing and online safety
staying within the law at all times
modelling good behaviour for young people to follow
challenging all unacceptable behaviour and reporting any breaches to the Head of Programmes
reporting all concerns about abusive behaviour, following our safeguarding and child protection procedures
o this includes behaviour being displayed by an adult or child and directed at anybody of any age.
You may only let a young person under the age of 18 have your personal contact details (mobile number and emails) if you are mentoring them, if you are offering them support supervised by their mentor, or if you are offering an Arts Emergency approved work experience placement.
Rights
You should:
treat young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination
understand that children and young people are individuals with individual needs
respect differences in gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, disability and religious belief systems, and appreciate that all participants bring something valuable and different to the group/organisation
challenge discrimination and prejudice. Encourage young people and adults to speak out about attitudes or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable
exercise caution when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people
ensure your contact with young people is appropriate and relevant to the work of the project you are involved in
ensure that whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people
o if a situation arises where you are alone with a young person, such as during mentoring, ensure that you are within sight or hearing of other adults.
o if a child specifically asks for or needs some individual time with you, ensure other staff or volunteers know where you and the child are.
o unless it has been agreed that the provision of personal care is part of your role and you have been trained to do this safely.
Respect
You should:
listen to and respect young people at all times
value and take young people’s contributions seriously, actively involving them in planning activities wherever possible
respect a young person’s right to personal privacy as far as possible.
o if you need to break confidentiality in order to follow child protection procedures, it is important to explain this to the young person at the earliest opportunity.
Unacceptable behaviour
When working with young people, you must not:
allow concerns or allegations to go unreported
take unnecessary risks smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances
develop inappropriate relationships with young people
make inappropriate promises to young people
engage in behaviour that is in any way abusive
o including having any form of sexual contact with a child or young person.
contact with them via a personal social media account
act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive
patronise or belittle children and young people make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children and young people
