5.6 Looking at policy to procedure: a code of conduct example

Let’s explain the relationship between policy and procedures.

We will use one example from the Example of a Basic Safeguarding Policy [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] found on the Safeguarding Resources site. Part of the policy says: "anyone working on behalf of our organisation is required to sign and comply with our organisation’s code of conduct".

What procedures are connected to this policy statement?

This policy commitment is linked to the procedures on how to put this into practice, as demonstrated in the diagram below.

Described image
Show description|Hide description

Two boxes of text. The first box says. Policy. What do we want? Anyone working on behalf of our organisation is required to sign and comply with our organisation’s code of conduct. The second box says. Procedures. How will we achieve this? 1. Have a code of conduct for staff: detailing behaviours required of staff, what are unacceptable behaviours, and referring to action taken if the code of conduct is breached. 2. Code of conduct is included in mandatory recruitment and induction processes for all staff. 3. All staff are required to sign to confirm they understand and will comply with the code of conduct. 4. A secure system is used to record and hold this information. 5. A system is in place to report and investigate suspected code of conduct breaches linked to the organisation’s disciplinary process.

This example shows that each policy commitment needs related procedures to make them work in practice.

Procedures work best when the organisation makes them mandatory. You will explore codes of conduct in more detail later in this session.

5.5 What are safeguarding procedures?

5.7 Reinforcing your learning about safeguarding measures