St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School

STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Our vision is to deliver an outstanding and distinctive Catholic education with Christ at the heart of our community.

Commitment to equality:
We are committed to providing a positive working environment which is free from prejudice and unlawful discrimination and any form of harassment, bullying or victimisation.  We have adopted a number of key policies to ensure that the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in relation to human dignity and dignity in work become embedded into every aspect of school life and these policies are reviewed regularly in this regard.
The member of staff responsible for this Policy is: School Business Manager
The Governing Body designate responsible for this Policy is: Resources & Pay Committee

This Staff code of Conduct has been approved and adopted by the Governing Body on 27th November 2023 and will be reviewed in accordance with statutory and Diocesan updates.

This Policy will be reviewed in Autumn 2025

Introduction

The Governing Body of St Edmund's Catholic Primary Schools considers the health, safety and wellbeing of its students and staff to be of paramount importance. As part of the process of ensuring it meets its obligations in this area, and in compliance with the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education amended 2023, the Governing Body (the GB) has adopted the attached Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings as its Code of Conduct. 

This Code of Conduct provides the minimum standards the GB expects its staff and other adults working at the School to adhere to. It should be read in conjunction with a variety of other School policies/procedures, as listed in ‘Additional References’ below.

The GB will ensure, as part of its responsibilities, that all adults who work in the School are made aware of this Code of Conduct, and that it forms part of the induction/training process for new staff. Equally, all staff have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with this and associated documents, and to seek further information from the Head teacher or other relevant persons within the School if they are unsure. 

You can also access the safer recruitment consortium guidance here:  https://www.safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk/The-Safer-Recruitment-Consortium

Please note that failure to adhere to the standards of behaviour set out in this and other associated documents will be investigated and could result in disciplinary action being taken against that individual.

Overview

All those working for St Edmund's Catholic Primary School are expected to familiarise themselves with the attached document.  In doing so, particular attention is drawn to the following:

•	The health, safety and welfare of the students in our care are paramount at all times.
Adults, including those employed, commissioned or contracted by the Governing Body have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of students, and this includes working in an open and transparent way;

•	Confidential information about a student should only be shared on a strictly need-to-know basis, and should never be used for own advantage or for that of others (such as partner/spouse, friends, relatives, etc.). Equally, we all have an individual responsibility to raise concerns that we may have about a student’s safety, in an appropriate way. This includes any concerns we may have regarding the behaviour of another adult within the School.  Such concerns should be raised with the School’s Safeguarding Lead or, in their absence the SENDCo, in the first instance;

•	Adults should always maintain appropriate professional boundaries and consider whether their actions are warranted, proportionate, safe and applied equitably.  Adults are expected to make judgements about their own behaviour in order to secure the best interests and welfare of the students in their charge;

•	All adults are expected to adopt high standards of personal conduct so that public confidence in their ability to safeguard the welfare of students and young people is maintained.  This may extend to behaviour or actions in your personal life, and you should be careful at all times not to compromise your position with the School or indicate an unsuitability to work with children and young people, e.g. through the misuse of drugs, acts of violence, posts on Social Media etc.;

•	All staff are expected to dress appropriately at all times. 

•	As someone who works with children, you have a duty to ensure all communications with students are transparent and open to scrutiny. You should ensure that your personal social networking sites are set at private, and never list students as ‘friends’. Be mindful never to share personal information (including personal contact details) with students;

•	Physical intervention with a student can only be justified in exceptional circumstances, and must only ever be used as a last resort when other behaviour management strategies have failed. Even then, intervention must be proportionate, training must have been provided, and documented and reported. The use of unwarranted physical force with a student is likely to constitute a criminal offence;

•	Adults should only place themselves in one-to-one situations with a student where this is unavoidable. Be open to the fact that being in such situations may make you more vulnerable to unjust or unfounded allegations, and so reasonable and sensible precautions should be taken, including ensuring an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken;

•	All staff are required to uphold public trust in the School, which includes ensuring personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit students’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law; not undermining fundamental British values; and showing tolerance and respect for the rights of others (Teachers’ Standards).

•	Any contact with parents should be made through professional channels. All emails should be sent using staff work emails and parents called from the school. If you have to use your personal mobile, then your number should be withheld. Personal information should NEVER be shared with parents or children. If in doubt, please speak with the Head teacher or a DSL.

•	When filming videos for lessons that are to be used for home learning, staff should try to minimise the view of personal items and they should NEVER be made from staff bedrooms.

•	Staff should only take images of children using school-issued devices. Please check with the Admin Team for a list of children who do not have permission for their images to be taken. 

•	Please note that it is a criminal offence for adults in a position of trust to have sexual activity with children including pupils up to the age of 18.

Additional References
•	Child Protection Procedure 
•	Disciplinary Procedure
•	E-Safety Policy/Staff Acceptable Use Agreement 
•	Keeping Children Safe in Education
•	Procedure for Managing Allegations Against Staff Sex & Relationships Policy
•	Teachers’ Standards
•	Whistleblowing Policy
•	Sickness Absence Policy and Procedures
•	Standards g 

I confirm that I have read and understood the above, and agree to comply with the School’s Code of Conduct as set out in this document. I have also read and signed a copy of the current Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Signed: …………………………………………………………………. Name: ………………………………………………………………..
(Print name)

Date: …………………………………………………………………………………………..