It is important that all adults at Percy Hedley Foundation understand the nature of their work and the responsibilities associated with it place them in a position of trust. This guidance aims to: Keep children and vulnerable adults safe by clarifying which behaviours constitute safe practice and which should be avoided Assist Percy Hedley employees to work safely and responsibly and to monitor their own standards Set clear expectations of behaviour and codes of practice Give a clear message that unlawful or unsafe behaviour is unacceptable and disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate Support after recruitment Minimise the risk of misplaced or false allegations made against Percy Hedley employees Underpinning principles The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount All employees should work in an open and transparent way All employees should be responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any activity which would lead to a reasonable person questioning their motivation and intention All employees work to safeguard the people in their care Professional standards should be adhered to at all times regardless of culture, disability, gender, race, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity All employees are responsible for continual monitoring of their practice and ensuring that they have relevant information to carry out their responsibilities effectively Any employee whose practice deviates from the guidance and/or their professional standards may bring into question their suitability for their work within the Percy Hedley Foundation. Making a professional judgement It would be impossible for this guidance to address every issue that may arise and therefore endeavours to highlight illegal, inappropriate and inadvisable behaviour for staff. There will be occasions when staff have to make decisions or take action in the best interests of the child or vulnerable adult which may contravene the guidance or if no guidance exists. Individuals are expected to make judgements about their behaviour in order to secure the best interests and welfare of the child or vulnerable adult in their care and in doing so may be judged to be acting reasonably. Confidentiality Many members of staff have access to confidential information about children and vulnerable adults in order to undertake day to day activities. In some circumstances staff will have access to very sensitive or private information. They should never use this information about a child or vulnerable adult to their family or for their own advantage. Information should never be used to embarrass or intimidate the child or vulnerable adult. The information should never be used casually in conversation or shared with anyone other than on a need to know basis. Staff should: Be clear about what information can be shared and in what circumstances Treat all information in a discreet and confidential manner
It is important that all adults at Percy Hedley Foundation understand the nature of their work and the responsibilities associated with it place them in a position of trust. This guidance aims to: Keep children and vulnerable adults safe by clarifying which behaviours constitute safe practice and which should be avoided Assist Percy Hedley employees to work safely and responsibly and to monitor their own standards Set clear expectations of behaviour and codes of practice Give a clear message that unlawful or unsafe behaviour is unacceptable and disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate Support after recruitment Minimise the risk of misplaced or false allegations made against Percy Hedley employees Underpinning principles The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount All employees should work in an open and transparent way All employees should be responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any activity which would lead to a reasonable person questioning their motivation and intention All employees work to safeguard the people in their care Professional standards should be adhered to at all times regardless of culture, disability, gender, race, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity All employees are responsible for continual monitoring of their practice and ensuring that they have relevant information to carry out their responsibilities effectively Any employee whose practice deviates from the guidance and/or their professional standards may bring into question their suitability for their work within the Percy Hedley Foundation. Making a professional judgement It would be impossible for this guidance to address every issue that may arise and therefore endeavours to highlight illegal, inappropriate and inadvisable behaviour for staff. There will be occasions when staff have to make decisions or take action in the best interests of the child or vulnerable adult which may contravene the guidance or if no guidance exists. Individuals are expected to make judgements about their behaviour in order to secure the best interests and welfare of the child or vulnerable adult in their care and in doing so may be judged to be acting reasonably. Confidentiality Many members of staff have access to confidential information about children and vulnerable adults in order to undertake day to day activities. In some circumstances staff will have access to very sensitive or private information. They should never use this information about a child or vulnerable adult to their family or for their own advantage. Information should never be used to embarrass or intimidate the child or vulnerable adult. The information should never be used casually in conversation or shared with anyone other than on a need to know basis. Staff should: Be clear about what information can be shared and in what circumstances Treat all information in a discreet and confidential manner