"eyes and ears along the coast"

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

DEALING WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

 

The purpose of this Policy is to provide volunteers with clear guidelines as to their standard of behaviour, responsibilities and best practice in fulfilling their role within Coastwatch Scotland

 

The volunteer:

 

1. General Conduct

1.1 Will follow the Guiding Principles, Policies and Procedures of CWS in all activities.

 

1.2 Will inform CWS of any relevant police record or other factor, or any change in his or her circumstances, which may make him or her unsuitable as a CWS volunteer, or for any CWS activity.

 

1.3 Will not behave in any way, physically or verbally, or through any other medium that could be offensive to another volunteer or those you come in to contact within your CWS role

 

1.4 Will treat all those they meet in a professional manner and with courtesy.

 

1.5 Will not bring the organisation into disrepute.

 

1.6 Will not use CWS to bring financial advantage to himself or herself or to any business in which the volunteer may have an interest e.g. by directly selling his or her own company’s products or services.

 

1.7 Will be punctual, presentable and dress in the approved CWS uniform - for more information see the Head of Unit.

 

 

2. Confidentiality

2.1 Will not at any time disclose information that is or has been acquired during the term of the voluntary position, or that has otherwise been acquired in confidence, or relates to the business of CWS, or that of other persons or bodies with whom CWS has dealings of any sort and has not been made public by, or with the authority of CWS

 

 

3. Conflict of Interest

3.1 Will declare any potential conflicts of interests arising from the engagement in volunteering activity with CWS at the earliest opportunity

 

 

4. The Role of the CWS Volunteer

4.1 Recognises that the role of a CWS volunteer places him or her in a position of trust with regard to the CWS charity, and to other colleagues and undertakes to uphold that trust at all times.

 

 4.2 Will not knowingly place himself or herself in a situation where the volunteer is alone with any child, young person or vulnerable adults, will endeavour to ensure that whenever possible another adult is in attendance at any meetings. Avoid remote areas and where ever possible leave the door open.

 

4.3 Will avoid using inappropriate language in front of, about, or to a child, young person or vulnerable adult and show consistently high standards of professional behaviour and appearance, acting as a positive role model for CWS.

 

4.4 Will be aware that even well intentioned physical contact may be misconstrued by a child, a young person, a vulnerable adult, an observer or by anyone to whom this action is described. Never touch a child, young person or vulnerable person in a way which may be considered indecent. Be aware of cultural or religious views about touching and always be sensitive to issues of gender.

 

4.5 Will not offer individual children, a young person or a vulnerable adult a lift in a car (although groups may be transported where there is suitable insurance cover in place).

 

4.6 Will not make arrangements to contact, communicate or meet with a child, young person or vulnerable adult outside the normal activities of the education system unless it is within the context of an approved CWS activity that has been agreed and approved by the Head of Unit or his or her deputy in advance.

 

4.7 Will not share any personal information with a child, young person or vulnerable adult. Will not request, or respond to, any personal information from a child, a young person or vulnerable adult, other than that which might be appropriate as part of their role with CWS.

 

4.8 Will not send personal notes/letters/emails/texts to a child, young person or vulnerable adult. If it is necessary to contact an individual, ensure the Head of Unit or his/her deputy or another CWS colleague has a copy. Do not give out personal contact details and always use a professional email address and or mobile when contacting children, young people or vulnerable adults as these services can be monitored. All communications need to be transparent and open to scrutiny.

 

4.9 Will understand that bullying will not be accepted or condoned. All forms of bullying under any circumstances will be addressed by the Head of Unit or his/her deputy.

 

4.10 Will remember always that interactions between a volunteer and a child, young person or vulnerable adult must be such that no reasonable person observing that interaction could construe its nature as abusive.

 

4.11 Will allow any discipline issues regarding the child,young person or vulnerable adult to be dealt with by the parents or other concerned agencies.

 

4.12 The primary concern of CWS is to safeguard the wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults engaged in our activities. This means we ensure appropriate arrangements to provide a safe and secure environment, and to deal effectively with issues concerned with suspected or reported abuse regarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

 

 

5. Health and Safety

5.1 Must not take any action that could threaten the health or safety of themselves, children, young people, vulnerable adults or other volunteers or members of the public.

 

5.2 Will report all accidents and injuries at work, in accordance with the reporting procedures detailed in our Health & Safety Policy.

 

 

6. Ethics

6.1 Will comply with all general principles of the CWS

 

 

7. Personal Relationships

7.1 Recognises that where a relationship occurs between volunteers, it should be declared as soon as possible to the Head of Unit. They will consider whether any action should be taken in relation to a possible conflict of interest.

 

7.2 Is aware that personal, emotional or sexual relationships between a volunteer and a child or a young person are considered inappropriate and are therefore unacceptable. However, CWS recognises that there may be times when a volunteer may have a pre-existing parental/family relationship with a child or young person and asks that it should also be declared to the Head of Unit. They will consider whether any action should be taken in relation to a possible conflict of interest

 

 

8. Drugs and Alcohol

8.1 Recognises that the use of drugs and alcohol may impair the safe and efficient running of the business and/or the health and safety of children, young people, vulnerable adults, volunteers or members of the public.

 

8.2 Will not allow their performance or attendance to be affected as a result of alcohol or drugs in accordance with our Alcohol and Drugs Policy

 

 

9. Equal Opportunities

9.1 Will ensure that there is no discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex and/or sexual orientation and marital or civil partnership status. These are known as the protected characteristics.

 

9.2 Will ensure that no one is disadvantaged by any condition or requirement that cannot be shown to be

 

 

10. Conclusion

10.1 Understands that by accepting a voluntary position with CWS all volunteers agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct could result in your status as a volunteer being subject to review in line with CWS Complaints Procedure.

 

10.2 Full copies of any of the policies and procedures mentioned in this document can be obtained from the Head of Unit. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to provide volunteers with clear guidelines as to their standard of behaviour, responsibilities and best practice in fulfilling their role within Coastwatch Scotland Irvine Unit (hereafter CWS)