Page 10 - Staff Code of Conduct 2020 12.28 a.m. 17th January 2021

Making professional judgements: There will be rare occasions and circumstances in which staff
have to make decisions or take action in the best interest of a pupil which could contravene existing
guidance or where no guidance exists. Individuals are expected to make judgements about their
behaviour in order to secure the best interests and welfare of the pupils in their charge and, in

so doing, will be seen to be acting reasonably. These judgements should always be recorded and
shared with a member of the senior management team. Adults should always consider whether their
actions are warranted, proportionate, safe and applied equitably. Staff should:
• discuss the circumstances that informed their action, or their proposed action, with their senior
manager or, where appropriate, the school’s designated safeguarding lead. This will help to ensure
that the safest practices are employed and reduce the risk of actions being misinterpreted;

• always discuss any misunderstanding, accidents or threats with the Head of School or Designated
Safeguarding Lead’
• always record discussions and actions taken with their justifications; and
• record any areas of disagreement and, if necessary refer to another agency or Regulatory Body.

Personal Living Space
No child will be invited into the home of an adult, unless the reason has been firmly established and

agreed with parent/carer(s) and senior managers. It is not appropriate for other organizations to expect
or request that private living space is used for work with children, including for counselling. Under no
circumstances will children or young people help with chores or tasks in the home of staff. Nor will they
be asked to do so by the friends of family of the staff member. Staff should:
• be vigilant in maintaining their privacy and mindful of the need to avoid placing themselves in

vulnerable situations;
• challenge any request for their accommodation to be used as an additional resource for the
School/service;
• be mindful of the need to maintain professional boundaries; and
• refrain from asking students/students to undertake personal jobs or errands.

Gifts, Rewards or Favoritisms: All giving of gifts or rewards are part of our behaviour policy for
supporting positive behaviour or recognizing particular achievements. There may be specific occasions
when staff may wish to give a child a personal gift. This is only acceptable practice where, in line with
the agreed policy, senior manager and parent/carer(s) have discussed the reasons for it and the action
is recorded. Any gift should be openly given and not based on favoritism. Staff shall remain alert at all
times to the fact that the giving of gifts can be misconstrued as a gesture to either bribe or groom a
child. Staff should apply the same professional standards, regardless of gender or sexuality or any other

protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

Staff will take care in selecting children for specific activities or privileges to avoid perceptions of
favoritisms or unfairness. Methods and criteria for selection will always be transparent and subject to
scrutiny. Care is taken to ensure that no member of staff accepts any gifts that might be construed as
a bribe by others or lead the giver to expect preferential treatment. There are always occasions in School
when children or parents wish to pass on a small token of appreciation such as a thank you. However,

it is unacceptable to receive gifts on a regular basis, or of any significant value.

Staff should:
• be aware of the School’s policy on the giving and receiving of gifts;

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Rasami British International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is our aim that all students fulfil their potential.