We will endeavour to ensure that everyone in our care is protected from physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, bullying, homophobic remarks or behaviour, sectarianism or any form of discrimination towards disabled people and minority groups.
Staff will
- Create a safe and enjoyable environment.
- Treat all participants equally, with respect and dignity and put their welfare and safety first.
- Provide an example of good conduct for others to follow that includes:
- being polite and respectful of others
- using appropriate and inoffensive language
- carrying out duties with professionalism, and care for others, and for the environment and premises.
- Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback, not negative criticism.
- Challenge unacceptable behaviour using the various policies, and policy annexes.
- Take time to listen to participants’ views and take these on board in any relevant decision-making process.
- Complete a written report of any injury on site, together with any subsequent treatment if relevant in the appropriate forms (available on the staff intranet).
- Respect everyone’s right to personal privacy and encourage them to feel comfortable.
- At all times, adhere to the Appropriate Physical Contact Statement.
- Always maintain visibility and openness (publicly) when working with children and adults at risk, particularly during one-to-one situations.
- Use the disabled toilets when children are in the building or use a toilet on another level.
- Report all allegations/suspicions of abuse to a Designated Safeguarding Lead using the Cause for Concern form.
Staff will not:
- Show favouritism to any individual.
- Take images or film students using their own personal equipment.
- Use their personal mobile phone/technology when with students, unless it is to play music for a class.
- Friend or follow any students on social media sites.
- Use attention-seeking behaviour/make suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures.
- Tolerate or condone bullying in any form.
- Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with any participants.
- Do anything of a personal nature for a child or adult at risk if they can do it themselves.
- Make sexually suggestive comments.
- Meet with children or adults at risk outside of classes, events, and meetings organised by Northern Ballet.
- Take children or adults at risk alone in a car on journeys, however short, without the express permission of guardians/carers and a Northern Ballet DSL. If it is essential, business insurance is required.
- Let allegations made by a child or adult at risk go without being recorded.
- Deter children or adults at risk from making allegations.
- Abuse any position/relationship of trust.
Failure to follow this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.