Standards of practice and behaviour
The expectations set out below aim to:
- Provide a framework of expected standards of practice and behaviour that contribute to a safe and inclusive environment and culture.
- Support you with fulfilling your responsibilities to keep children and adults safe from potential harm in both physical and online environments.
- Support you with fulfilling your responsibilities to promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults.
- Reduce the possibility of unfounded allegations being made.
You are expected to:
- Ensure that the safety, welfare of and wellbeing of children and adults at risk underpins your behaviour and actions.
- Avoid favouritism and treat children and adults at risk equally, without prejudice or discrimination.
- Ensure that the same professional standards are applied regardless of ethnic origin, nationality, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.
- Ensure that children and adults at risk are treated with respect and dignity at all times, even in circumstances where they display difficult or challenging behaviour.
- Ensure that all in person and online contact, interactions and communications with children and adults at risk take place within professional boundaries.
- Foster a culture where everyone feels comfortable to raise concerns about inappropriate attitudes or behaviour towards children or adults at risk.
- Promote an environment where poor practice is challenged and reported.
- Ensure that all safeguarding concerns, alleged or suspected abuse is taken seriously and acted on.
- Adhere to our position on relationships of trust
You must never:
- Abuse, harm or exploit children and adults at risk or neglect their basic needs.
- Subject children and adults at risk to any form of treatment that is harmful, abusive, humiliating or degrading.
- Use your position or influence to form or promote inappropriate relationships with the children and adults at risk you work with.
- Use your position to gain access to information relating to children and adults at risk for their own or others’ advantage. Such information should only be used or shared to protect children and adults at risk and to meet their needs.
- Carry out your duties whilst under the influence of alcohol, solvents or drugs.
- Use any type of physical punishment in order to discipline children or adults at risk.
- Engage in any sexual or related activities, or have discussions about such activities, in the presence of children and adults at risk, except in a clear educational context and with the knowledge and agreement of the Premier League.
- Take, display or distribute photographs or video footage of children and adults at risk without the knowledge and agreement of the Premier League or your Club.
- Take, share or publish on the internet or social media accounts photographs or video footage of children and adults at risk without the knowledge and agreement of the Premier League or your Club.
- Use work equipment to access pornography or access pornography on personal devices when on duty.
- Access, make or distribute illegal or indecent content or images.
Relationships of trust
Individuals who have responsibility for, authority or influence over children and/or adults at risk are in relationships of trust in relation to the children and/or adults at risk in their care. A relationship of trust can be described as one in which one party has power and influence over the other by virtue of their work or the nature of the activity they are engaged in. It is important to be aware of the power imbalance inherent in roles with children and/or adults at risk and the responsibility that must be exercised as a consequence.
Individuals in relationships of trust have a responsibility to ensure that their position and/or influence is not used for personal advantage or gratification. Engaging in sexual activity or an intimate relationship with a child or adult at risk with whom you come into contact with through your role will be considered a breach of trust leading to a referral to the appropriate statutory and/or football authorities. In some circumstances, such a breach may also constitute a criminal offence. Sexual activity does not just constitute physical contact. It may also include non-contact activities, such as causing children or adults at risk to engage in or watch sexual activity or producing pornographic material.