5.11 What are the basic parts of a code of conduct?
There are certain behaviours which are always unacceptable whatever someone’s role is. For example, using their position of
Starting to list the ways everyone should behave
Make a list of the values and ethics you expect everyone in your sport to uphold (for example, showing respect for others).
Ethics and values – I will:
Next, write ways you expect everyone to conduct themselves (for example, being a positive role model for athletes).
Positive behaviours – I will:
Now list those behaviours that you consider unacceptable (for example, engaging in bullying).
Unacceptable behaviour – I will never:
Comment
You probably came up with a list of 'dos' and 'don’ts' – but you may also have included statements that are about the values you want in your sport.
Here are our suggestions:
Ethics and values – I will:
| Respect my position of trust and maintain appropriate professional boundaries. |
| Show respect to others involved in the sport. |
| Demonstrate high standards of sporting behaviour. |
| Place the physical and mental wellbeing, safety, and enjoyment of each athlete above everything, including winning. |
Positive behaviours – I will:
| Be a positive example and role model for young athletes. |
| Develop mutual trust and respect. |
| Respect and value diversity, and challenge and report any form of bullying or abusive behaviour. |
| Ensure that any time spent with children or vulnerable adults is conducted in an open environment in the presence and visibility of others. |
| Adhere to the safeguarding policy and report any concerns about poor practice or abuse. |
| Undertake safeguarding awareness training as required. |
Unacceptable behaviour – I will never:
| Engage in or tolerate any form of bullying. |
| Reduce anyone to tears, scare, or humiliate them as a form of control. |
| Engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour. |
| Engage in any sexual activity (contact or non-contact) with any child (under 18 years), including making sexually suggestive comments. |
| Engage in any sexual or intimate relationship with any athlete. |
| Share a hotel room or other residential bedroom with an athlete. |
| Share personal details with children, including online or digital information. |
| Spend time alone with children where my actions cannot be accounted for, including one-on-one engagement via social media or other technological means of communication. |
| Engage in any physical abuse (including hitting, slapping, shaking, throwing, pushing, or otherwise causing physical harm). |
| Emotionally or psychologically abuse anyone by shaming or degrading them (including threatening, humiliating, or intimidating). |
| Support or encourage a child to behave in an aggressive or abusive manner towards others. |
| Approve comments of a discriminatory nature towards or about any person in our sport. |
| Perform tasks of a personal nature for a child or person with disability. |
You can use this list to help your organisation develop your own code of conduct. Or to check if there are new points that you would like to add to an existing code of conduct.
5.10 Why are codes of conduct so important?
