5.9 What are codes of conduct?
Codes of conduct detail an organisation’s expectations of the behaviour of all participants including staff, volunteers, officials, athletes, and others involved with the organisation. A code of conduct helps individuals to recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
There is no ‘right’ way, but it can be helpful to have the same top-level requirements for all the adults involved in your sport, and to develop a separate code of conduct with and for children.
Codes of conduct need to be understood by the people using them – for example, a younger child would struggle to understand a code of conduct written for adults. Everyone should be required to sign to confirm they have read, understood and will comply with their code of conduct, and they should be actively promoted.
What is the role of a code of conduct in prevention and response?
Take a moment to reflect on how a code of conduct could be used to prevent abuse from occurring? How about the role it can play in supporting a response to concerns?
Answer
Codes of conduct help in both prevention AND response.
Codes of conduct as a preventative safeguarding measure:
- Codes of conduct establish a clear baseline of what is considered a required behaviour.
- Codes of conduct clarify the possible consequences of failing to comply.
- This reduces the likelihood of poor practice arising.
Codes of conduct as a responsive safeguarding measure:
- Codes of conduct help everyone to recognise inappropriate behaviour and report individuals who may have done something that is not allowed under the code of conduct.
- They support the organisation to investigate, manage wider risk, and, if appropriate, to take action when someone has failed to comply.
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Although you often focus on those who have significant contact with and responsibility for children – expectations of minimum standards of behaviour must apply to everyone in the organisation – regardless of seniority, rank, or reputation. |
5.8 Your policy and procedures checklist
