Page 22 - Group Leader Handbook

Code of Conduct for Group Leaders- Safeguarding

Group Leaders should take care not to place themselves in a Unacceptable behaviour
vulnerable position in relation to Safeguarding. Interviews or  Endanger students through any action or inaction
work with individual students should be conducted in view of
other adults. Excessive touching of students must be avoided.  Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games,
Physical intervention should only be used when a student is including horseplay
endangering themselves and/or others and must be recorded
on an Incident Report form and, if possible countersigned by a  Engaging in any form of inappropriate touching
witness.  Sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
Good Practice  Making comments of a sexual nature in front of students

The following are common sense examples of how to create a  Swearing or making offensive remarks within earshot of
positive culture and climate. Good practice means: students

 Treat all children equally, and with respect and dignity  In residential situations, entering childrens’ bedrooms
(unless it is essential e.g. because a child is ill)
 Conducting yourself in a manner that sets a good example
to the participants  Using force as a form of discipline

 Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than  Inviting children into your room
negative criticism
 Sharing a bedroom or bathroom with a child
 Never using physical punishment
 Taking a child to the bathroom/toilet without another re-
 Do not offer medicines or medical advice to juniors, if they sponsible adult supervising
are ill contact a first aider or take them to the Centre Man-
 Showing any favouritism to particular students or arrang-
ager
ing to spend time with a particular student/group of stu-
 Observing the rules concerning social networking and elec- dents
tronic contact
 Accepting children’s inappropriate language/behaviour -
This should always be challenged

 Reducing a child to tears as a form of control
 Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled
adults that they can do for themselves (e.g. apply sun-
screen)
 Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home

 Keeping photos of students or their contact details
 Making or responding to personal contact with students by
telephone, SMS, messaging services, email or social media,
either during or after a course
Relationships with Students

Physical or emotional relationships between adults and stu-
dents under 18 are completely unacceptable. As you are in a
Position of Trust it is against the law, under the Sexual Offenc-
es ACT of 2003, to have any sexual relations/activity of any
sorts, including sending/receiving messages of a sexual/
provocative nature to any Churchill House Junior Student even
those who are of the age of consent (16/17 year olds).
Anyone that suspects that an adult is having or attempting to
initiate such a relationship should disclose this concern to the
Designated Staff (Centre Manager) immediately.
All staff must be aware of the possibility that a colleague may
be innocently compromised by a student attempting to initi-
ate a relationship, which should also be reported to the DS
immediately so that steps can be taken to protect them.

22