Code of Conduct for staff, trustees and volunteers

We are a movement based on generosity and respect, and we require our staff and volunteers to treat everyone with care and dignity. 

In your role at Arts Emergency you are acting in a position of authority and have a duty of care towards the young people and young adults we work with. You are likely to be seen as a role model and are expected to act appropriately.

We expect you to be safe, appropriate, positive, respectful, and accommodating.

Here are these behaviours in detail:

1. Safe

1. Understand and follow our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, accessible at arts-emergency.org/safe 
2. Report any and all concerns, risks or incidents (e.g. misunderstandings) immediately.
3. Proactively look out for, protect, and advocate for everyone’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Promote safe practices and report any concerns about poor practice.
4. Do not engage in any inappropriate, romantic or sexual contact with any young person (aged 16-25) that we are working with.
5. Ensure that you are not interacting with a young person alone, out of sight or earshot of any other adults. If a need arises, contact the Arts Emergency team to get support in making this safe.
6. Do not secretly record, take pictures or screenshot conversations - always ask for permission.

2. Appropriate

1. Do not develop inappropriate relationships with young people.
2. Do not make inappropriate promises to young people or give significant gifts.
3. Exercise caution when you are discussing sensitive issues with young people.
4. Ensure contact on social media is age-appropriate and relevant. Do not follow or interact on social media with young people you are actively supporting (e.g. your mentee). Please use email as your main communication tool, or phone/text where necessary.
5. Follow any guidance provided around communicating with young people who you are introduced to via Arts Emergency.
6. Always gain consent from everyone featured in photographs, videos and attributed quotes. Parents or guardians must consent for under 18s.

3. Positive

1. Model good behaviour for young people to follow.
2. Do not take unnecessary risks, smoke, consume alcohol or use illegal substances with or in view of young people we support.
3. Do not patronise or belittle young people, make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually-suggestive comments or gestures.
4. Encourage everyone to speak out about attitudes or behaviours that make their lives more difficult or uncomfortable.
5. Care for people, and support them in times of need. Report any concerns about an Arts Emergency young person’s welfare to arts-emergency.org/safe 

4. Respectful

1. Listen to, value and respect young people for their insight and contributions
2. Respect differences, e.g. in gender expression, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, class background, place of birth, disability, religion etc. You might enjoy watching this video about celebrating culture and differences.
3. Respect identities and labels - including asking, listening and using people’s pronouns.
4. Respect privacy. If you need to break confidentiality in order to follow safeguarding procedures, it is important to explain this to the young person at the earliest opportunity. Do not be intrusive or share private information with people outside of safeguarding procedures.
5. Respect physical and emotional boundaries. If someone asks you for space, give it. If someone does not feel comfortable answering a question, don’t push.

5. Accommodating

1. Understand that everyone has unique needs.
2. Take the time to learn the needs of the people you are working with and make reasonable adjustments to allow them to take part fully.
3. Encourage everyone to speak out about attitudes or behaviours that make their lives more difficult or uncomfortable.
4. Be conscious of the emotional and social expectations put on some people to educate, defend or act as a spokesperson for their culture, identity, or background.

Upholding this Code of Conduct

You should always aim to follow this code of conduct, and self-report to Arts Emergency if you have breached it by accident.

Breaches to the Code of Conduct will be reviewed on a case by case basis, and actions will be taken which prioritise the welfare and safety of the young people and communities we work with.

If you become aware of any breaches, you must report them to community@arts-emergency.org or via the Safeguarding webpage, arts-emergency.org/safe 

If you have any questions, please contact community@arts-emergency.org