Staff Code of Conduct for Laleham Church Playgroup
(staff includes paid employees and regular volunteers)
Underpinning Principles:
The welfare of children is paramount.
All staff are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in their care.
Staff working with children are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions.
Staff should work, and be seen to work, in an open and transparent way.
The same professional standards should always be applied regardless of culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity.
Staff should continually monitor and review their practice and ensure that they follow the guidance contained in this document.
Code of Conduct
Attitudes and behaviour
All children, families, carers and members of staff will be treated with respect and understanding.
Staff will be expected not to use inappropriate, abusive or derogatory language.
Staff are responsible for nurturing and educating the children in their care and for providing information and support to their parents/carers.
All staff have a responsibility to help maintain a safe, clean environment by following the “Health and Hygiene” and “Safety” policies and practices.
Safeguarding
Staff must disclose any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children.
All staff have a responsibility to contribute to the setting’s responsibility to protect children and encourage a “safer working culture”.
Staff will be expected to follow agreed procedures, without fear of recrimination, to bring to the attention of the Playgroup Manager any deficiency in the standards expected.
If staff have concerns regarding the Playgroup managers or their handling of concerns that have been raised then the Whistleblowing policy should be followed.
Confidentiality and data protection
Staff will not discuss individual children, other than for the purposes of curriculum planning/group management or, with parental permission, for obtaining advice from outside agencies (e.g. representatives of Surrey Supporting Children Team), with people other than the parents/carers of that child. Individual children should not be discussed with anyone out of the work place, if a parent asks you question about their child out of the work place, you must say you can’t and make appropriate appointment within the setting.
Information given by parents/carers to a member of staff in confidence will not be passed on to other adults without permission.
Staff must be aware of their responsibilities to the playgroup when using social networking sites such as Facebook. They must not post anything onto one of these sites that could be construed to relate to the playgroup. Our confidentiality policy must be adhered to at all times, including out of working hours.
Staff must be aware of their responsibilities under the “General Data Protection Regulation 2018” and will ensure that children’s and parents’ personal data is handled and stored securely.
When taking Learning Journeys home to update they must be transported straight home (not left in a vehicle) in a locked document case and an “empty desk” procedure used at home (i.e. when not being worked on the files are returned to the locked case).
Records and reports written on staff home computers must be kept in a dedicated password protected user area of the computer and only the child’s forename (and initial if needed) used.
Confidential information must be emailed using a secure system e.g. Egress
Use of mobile phones and cameras
Staff mobile phones must be kept in the storeroom with their personal belongings or in the “phone basket” in the kitchen.
The playgroup landline number should be used as the main point of contact for staff in an emergency
Photographs of the children may only be taken on the playgroup cameras (unless explicit consent is given by the manager).
It is the responsibility of the manager or deputy to delete all photographs stored on a digital camera after transfer to the computer for printing purposes.
Medication and alcohol/drug use
Staff must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during their hours of work.
Staff taking prescription medication must seek medical advice to confirm that it is unlikely to impair their ability to care for children.
Any medication must be kept securely out of reach of children at all times.
Smoking, the use of E-cigarettes and vaping is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Attendance
Staff must notify the manager or deputy manager by 7.30am if they are unable to work that day and should try to arrange for another member of staff to cover for them.
If staff member has suffered from vomiting or diarrhea they must not return to work until at least 48 hours after the last attack.
Employees are required to be punctual and to attend staff meetings and seasonal events.
Staff are asked to make every effort not to take holidays during term time. Requests for leave during term time should be made to the manager before booking a holiday and the member of staff should check with colleagues and show that cover could be arranged. Requests may be refused if the setting would drop below the statutory minimum staffing levels due to the individual’s absence.
Personal Appearance
Staff must dress appropriately for their job and give a positive image.
Long hair should be tied back
Jewellery should be kept to a minimum.
Attitude to professional development
Staff should seek to improve their understanding of the development of young children through ongoing training and collaboration with colleagues.
Staff have a responsibility to understand and adhere to current legislation and guidance that supports their role.
The code of conduct was adopted by Laleham Church Playgroup at a meeting on….26thJuly 2021
Signed on behalf of Laleham Church Playgroup...........................................