Diocesan Code of Conduct Basics for Staff and Volunteers

In order to support the Diocesan Policy and Procedures it is necessary that the following Code of Conduct be applied as a minimum standard for all those who work with children and young people:

  • Leaders will treat each other, children and young people, with courtesy, respect and dignity.
  • Leaders will always engage with children and young people in an open manner, taking care not to show favouritism.
  • There will be adequate ratio of leaders to children and young people at all times.
  • A leader will not work alone with children or young people.
  • Care will be taken to ensure that leaders of mixed gender will work with mixed gender groups.
  • There will be a clearly designated leader within each group with whom children and young people and other leaders can raise concerns.
  • Leaders will not consume alcohol while having responsibility for or in the presence of children and young people.
  • Leaders will not smoke in the presence of children and young people.
  • The use of drugs or illegal substances by leaders is strictly prohibited.
  • Leaders will not use inappropriate language or make sexually suggestive comments, either to each other or to children or young people.
  • Physical contact between leaders and children and young people will be of an appropriate nature at all times. Leaders will not engage in rough play with each other or with children and young people.
  • Leaders will not undertake any task of a personal nature with/for children or young people except in cases of medical necessity when the welfare of the child or young person depends on it.
  • Personal details of children and young people will be held only by named leader/designated person.
  • Leaders will not give their personal details to children and young people unless absolutely necessary.
  • Children and young people will be contacted via their parents/guardians/carers except in emergencies.
  • The diocese will have a designated person to whose immediate attention all concerns and/or complaints can be brought.
  • The diocesan designated person will respond promptly to all child protection concerns and liaise with the required civil and church authorities in accordance with established guidelines.
  • All concerns and/or complaints will be followed through in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with guidelines.
  • The diocese will have a specific code of conduct for all away trips including pilgrimages, day trips and incentive events.
  • The diocesan code of conduct, including an anti-bullying policy, specific to children and young people will apply.

    Diocesan Conduct Basics for Children and Young People

A code of conduct specific to children and young people must be drawn up in direct consultation with children and young people. It is important that each group of children and young people directly contributes to the formation of their code of conduct.

The following points should be used as a minimum standard:

  • Children and young people will be aware that leaders also have a code of conduct.
  • Children and young people will respect the fact that leaders will not work alone with children and young people.
  • Children and young people will treat each other and their leaders with courtesy, respect and dignity.
  • Children and young people will not be permitted to engage in substance abuse or to consume alcohol or smoke, in keeping with civil law.
  • Inappropriate language or sexually suggestive comments will not be permitted by children or young people.
  • Physical contact between children and young people will be of an appropriate nature at all times.
  • Rough play will not be permitted at any time.

Children and young people are to be consulted about drawing up an all inclusive anti-bullying policy.

The following are some examples of bullying however this list is notexhaustive and the children and young people will have many other points to list:

  • Name Calling
  • Fighting/Kicking/Punching
  • Making suggestive comments
  • Intimidation/Threatening
  • Ignoring/ Excluding/ Damaging Property
  • Spreading Rumours/ Sending Abusive Text Messages.