Terms of Service 1

Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers

This behaviour code outlines the conduct that bloss.m Limited expects from all our staff and volunteers. This includes trustees, agency staff, interns, students on work placement and anyone who is undertaking duties for the organisation, whether paid or unpaid.
The behaviour code is there to help us protect children and young people from abuse.It has been informed by the views of children and young people.
bloss.m Limited is responsible for making sure everyone taking part in our activities has seen, understood and agreed to follow the code of behaviour, and that they understand the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.

In your role at bloss.m you are acting in a position of trust and authority and have a duty of care towards the children and young people we work with. You are likely to be seen as a role model by young people and are expected to act appropriately.
We expect people who take part in our services to display appropriate behaviour at all times. This includes behaviour that takes place outside our organisation and behaviour that takes place online.

You are responsible for:

ensuring equipment is used safely and for its intended purpose
having good awareness of issues to do with safeguarding and child protection and taking action when appropriate.

including our policies and procedures for safeguarding and child protection, whistleblowing and online safety

staying within the law at all times
modelling good behaviour for children and young people to follow
challenging all inappropriate behaviour and reporting any breaches of the
behaviour code to the Designated Safeguarding Officer
reporting all concerns about abusive behaviour, following our safeguarding and child protection procedures this includes inappropriate behaviour displayed by an adult or child and directed at anybody of any age.

You should:

procedures, it is important to explain this to the child or young person at the earliest opportunity.

You should:

treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination
understand that children and young people are individuals with individual needs
respect differences in gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, disability and religious belief systems, and appreciate that all participants bring something valuable and different to the group/organisation
challenge discrimination and prejudice
encourage young people and adults to speak out about attitudes or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

Find out more about:

You should:

promote relationships that are based on openness, honesty, trust and respect
avoid showing favouritism
be patient with others
exercise caution when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people
ensure your contact with children and young people is appropriate and relevant
to the nature of the activity you are involved in
ensure that whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during
activities with children and young people

if a situation arises where you are alone with a child or young person, ensure that you are within sight or can be heard by other adults
if a child specifically asks for or needs some individual time with you, ensure other staff or volunteers know where you and the child are

unless it has been agreed that the provision of personal care is part of your role and you have been trained to do this safely.

When working with children and young people, you must not:

let children and young people have your personal contact details (mobile number, email or postal address) or have contact with them via a personal social media account
act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive patronise or belittle children and young people
make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children and young people.

Upholding this code of behaviour

You should always follow this code of behaviour and never rely on your reputation or that of our organisation to protect you.

If you have behaved inappropriately, you will be subject to our disciplinary procedures.
Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you might be asked to leave bloss.m.
We might also make a report to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority child protection services.
If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. If necessary, you should follow our whistleblowing procedure and safeguarding and child protection procedures.