Principles

When working for Ignite – whether as a member of staff or a volunteer – you have a responsibility to ensure that everyone attending Ignite's activities, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults, are protected from harm.   It is the responsibility of each person working for Ignite to ensure that:

• their behaviour is appropriate at all times;

•  they observe the rules established for the safety and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults;

• they follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse;

• the recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed; and

• in every respect, the relationships they form with the children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care are appropriate

All persons who wish to work for Ignite, must accept and understand this policy.   They must also agree to put Ignite’s policies on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults into practice.

Meeting your responsibilities

To give positive guidance the Code of Behaviour (below) provides a list of 'do's and don'ts' to help you ensure that:

• the welfare of the children and/or young people and/or vulnerable adults for whom you have a duty of care is safeguarded;

• you avoid compromising situations or opportunities for misunderstandings or allegations.

Code of behaviour

• DO put this code into practice at all times;

• DO treat everyone with dignity and respect;

• DO set an example you would wish others to follow;

• DO treat all individuals equally - show no favouritism;

• DO plan activities that involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within sight and hearing of others;

• DO follow recommended adult/young people ratios for meetings and activities;

• DO respect the right to personal privacy of a child, young person or vulnerable adult;

• DO avoid unacceptable situations within a relationship of trust, eg: a sexual relationship with a young person or vulnerable adult over the age of consent;

• DO have separate sleeping accommodation for children, young people, adults and Young Leaders working with a younger Section in any overnight activity;

• DO allow children, young people and vulnerable adults to talk about any concerns they may have;

• DO encourage others to challenge any attitudes or behaviours they do not like;

• DO avoid being drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour,  eg: the demand for excessive, exclusive one to one time;

• DO make everyone aware of Ignite’s procedures for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults;

• DO remember this code even at sensitive moments,  eg: when responding to bullying, bereavement or abuse;

• DO keep other members of staff/volunteers informed of where you are and what you are doing;

• DO remember someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned;

• DO dress appropriately for the activity you’re taking part in;

• DO make sure that any touch meets the needs of the young person and not the volunteer.  Any touch must be appropriate (eg: a hand on someone’s back when crying), in a public space and never sexual. 

• DO take any allegations or concerns of abuse seriously and refer immediately.

• DO NOT trivialise abuse;

• DO NOT permit abusive peer activities,  eg: bullying;

• DO NOT engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact - physical, verbal, sexual;

• DO NOT play physical contact games with children, young people or vulnerable adults;

• DO NOT make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun;

• DO NOT use inappropriate language;

• DO NOT let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported;

• DO NOT have online or electronic communication (for example, social media, WhatsApp, mobile phone) with a young person or vulnerable adult, unless clearly necessary for work purposes and pre-agreed with the group leader;

• DO NOT engage in a close or intimate relationship with a vulnerable adult or a child.  In the case of beginning a romantic relationship with a vulnerable adult, then please communicate with and seek advice from, the group leader or the safeguarding trustee if you think this may happen.

Updated July 2023