Code of Conduct – Staff and Volunteers

Introduction

Nature Base takes its work with children, young people and adults very seriously. Their wellbeing is paramount in all decisions taken by us. All children, young people and adults we meet have the same protection regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity.

We act in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance and our organisation’s policies and procedures and any associated guidance, and we work collaboratively with other organisations in relation to concerns about the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk, using the multi-agency safeguarding procedures at www.safeguarding.je .

Who does this conduct apply to?

This Code of Conduct applies to all staff and volunteers, as safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It therefore applies to and must be signed by all employees, consultants, contractors, casual,  temporary and permanent staff (collectively referred to as staff in this Code of Conduct) and all volunteers.

It is our expectation that all our staff and volunteers sign this Code of Conduct and will always act in the best interests of children, young people and adults at risk and in accordance with Nature Base’s safeguarding policy and procedures. The welfare of children, young people and adults at risk must always be paramount. This includes an expectation that staff and volunteers will:

  • Undertake safeguarding education or training as  required by Nature Base

  • Read and comply with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and our safeguarding procedures for children, young people and adults at risk

  • Work with Nature Base who will obtain an in-date DBS Check in line with our requirements using a third party organisation; or provide evidence of an existing update service certificate;  then you should maintain using the annual update service throughout your time with us

  • Always act in an appropriate way when in contact with children, young people and adults whether face to face, via social media, phone or other electronic communications and in line with the organisations Forest School Hand Book and other relevant policies and procedures

  • Recognise the importance of confidentiality when working with children, young people, adults at risk, their families and their data

  • Promptly report any concerns about safeguarding or the protection of children or young people or adults at risk to our Designated Safeguarding Lead or/and follow the ‘Flow Chart’ on the Nature Base Safeguarding policy.

  • Be familiar with and confident to use ‘Whistleblowing’ if you suspect or believe that safeguarding concerns have not been appropriately addressed by the organisation. Refer to the Nature Base ‘Whistleblowing Statement’.

Staff Obligations:

  • Accept that, by taking this role, the organisation may deem you to be in a position of trust with under- 18 participants and/or adults at risk that you are in contact with through your role. You should be aware of and understand the responsibility that this entails, by undertaking the relevant safeguarding education, as we deem appropriate

  • Always act with integrity

  • Seek advice from the Nature Base Designated Safeguarding Officer or seek advice from the local Safeguarding Partnership Board safeguardingpartnershipboard@gov.je or 01534 442752 if you are unsure about any of the above or if you are unsure how to act in any given situation.

Further Information and Support:

Further information can be found in:

  • Our Forest School Handbook (available on the website www.naturebase.je )

  • Our Safeguarding Policies (available on the website www.naturebase.je )

  • Safeguarding Partnership Board’s Multi-Agency Policies and Procedures (available www.safeguarding.je)

Alternatively, if you have any queries or concerns regarding the Code of Conduct or safeguarding generally, please speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead, details of the appointed lead are available in the ‘Safeguarding Policy’ on the website www.naturebase.je

If you are the Designated Safeguarding Lead and cannot find the advice you need internally; you should seek advice from the Children and Families Hub or Single Point of Contact in Adult Services.

Please sign and return a duplicate copy of this Code of Conduct to acknowledge you have read and understand the Code of Conduct and you agree to comply with it. You should then keep the other copy safe for your records. Breaches of the Code of Conduct are taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action; where we would use JACS as an advisory system (https://www.jacs.org.je/working-in-jersey/discipline-and-grievances/ ) along with; where relevant the Jersey Designated Officer and/or Adult Workforce Designated Officer.

I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safeguarding Code of Conduct – Staff and Volunteers.

Signed: ........................................................................

Date: ...........................................................................

Print Name: ...............................................................

We are really looking forward to having you on our team.