Code of Conduct for Volunteers

Note: Where we refer to ‘parents’ we mean parents and carers inclusively. The term ‘children’ or ‘child’ describes any person under the age of 18.

As a volunteer at our club or activity, we’d like you to:

  • Implement our safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Report any concerns about or allegations of abuse or poor practice to our welfare officer

  • Listen to any concerns that parents or young people might have

  • Consider your behaviour – do not engage in any behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse
  • Respect your position of trust and maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships with young people. Engaging in sexual behaviour with any child under the age of 16 is illegal
  • Keep any coaching and safeguarding training up to date

  • Keep children in your sessions safe by supervising appropriately, using safe methods and techniques and by putting children’s safety first

  • Make sure you’ve got appropriate staffing ratios of adult to participant before the session begins
  • Ensure equipment is fit for purpose, safe to use and accessible
  • Respect children’s trust and rights whilst being honest and open with them
  • Champion everyone’s right to take part and celebrate difference in our club or by not discriminating against anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or ability
  • Stop play if an injury happens, administer minor first aid and call for help when necessary
  • Use constructive and positive methods of developing children’s skills, without humiliating or harming them
  • Behave appropriately on line in accordance with our on line safety and acceptable use policy
  • Challenge and address instances of poor, negative, aggressive or bullying behaviour amongst young people
  • Lead by example when it comes to good sportsmanship, positive behaviour and  commitment to the sport
  • Develop positive relationships with parents and catch up with them regularly about their child’s development

  • Make our club a friendly and welcoming place to be

We expect all of our volunteers to follow the behaviours and requests set out in this code.

If any volunteer behaves in a way which contradicts any of the points set out above, we’ll address the problem straight away and aim to resolve the issue.

Continued issues and repeated breaches of this code may result in us taking disciplinary action against you with the involvement of governing bodies and ultimately your dismissal from the organisation