Appendix 3 - 

Code of conduct for working with children

young people and vulnerable adults

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We should all be aware that behaviour in a worker's personal life (including online) may impact upon their work with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Therefore, all workers should agree not to behave in a manner which would lead any reasonable person to question their suitability to work with children, young people or vulnerable adults or act as a role model within the United Reformed Church.

 

All workers agree to the following code of conduct when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults: 

 

• To agree to regular DBS checks and reference checks (if required) on appointment

• Do treat all people with dignity and respect.

• Don't abuse the power and responsibility of your role. Don’t belittle, scapegoat, put down, or ridicule a child, young person or vulnerable adult (even in 'fun') and don't use language or behaviour with sexual connotations (e.g. flirting or innuendo).

• Do act inclusively, seeking to make all people feel welcome and valued.

• Don't exclude other children, young people, vulnerable adults or workers from conversations and activities unless there is a good reason.

• Do treat people with equal care and concern.

• Don't show favouritism (e.g. in selection for activities, in giving rewards, etc.) or encourage excessive attention from a particular child, young person or vulnerable adult (e.g. gifts).

• Do encourage everyone to follow any behaviour agreement or ground rules and apply sanctions consistently.

• Don't threaten or use sanctions which have not been agreed or make empty threats.

• Do refer to a more senior worker if a child, young person or vulnerable adult does not respond to your instructions despite encouragement and warning of possible consequences.

• Don’t feel you have to deal with every problem on your own.

• Do seek to diffuse aggressive or threatening behaviour without the use of physical contact.

• Don't use physical restraint except as a last resort to prevent injury. This should use minimum force.

• Do relate to children, young people and vulnerable adults in public. If they want to talk one-to-one about an issue, tell another worker and find somewhere quieter, but still public, to talk.

• Don't spend time alone with children, young people or vulnerable adults out of sight of other people.

• Do make sure that any electronic communication is done with parental consent and is transparent, accountable, recorded and adheres to safeguarding policies.

• Don't keep communication with children, young people and vulnerable adults secret, while still respecting appropriate confidences.

• Do have a designated photographer to take, store and share photos of your group’s activities, in line with URC good practice guidelines.

• Don’t take photos and video without consent, store them in a safe place designated by the church and only use them in the ways agreed, in line with URC good practice guidelines.

• Do use physical contact wisely; it should be: in public, appropriate to the situation and to the age, gender and culture of the child, young person or vulnerable adult, in response to their needs, not the adult and respectful of the child’s, young persons or vulnerable adults privacy, feelings and dignity.

• Don't use physical contact which could be misconstrued as aggressive (e.g. rough games) or sexual.

• Do respect children's, young peoples and vulnerable adults’ privacy.

• Don't assume that children, young people and vulnerable adults should tell you anything you ask just because you are a worker.

• Do respect the right of children, young people and vulnerable adults to wash, change and use the toilet in private.

• Don’t walk in unnecessarily or unannounced.

• Do listen to children, young people and vulnerable adults and tell the church Safeguarding Officer if you have any concerns about their welfare.

• Don’t promise to keep something secret if it is about a child, young person or vulnerable adult being harmed or at risk of harm, but only tell those who need to know.

• Do respect and promote the rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults to make their own decisions and choices.

• Don’t work in ways that put your needs and interests before those of the children, young people and vulnerable adults you work with.

• Do encourage respect for difference, diversity, beliefs and culture.

• Don’t discriminate or leave discrimination or bullying unchallenged.