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For Volunteers, Enablers and Helpers

The purpose of this policy

  • As a grassroots movement which offers a welcome to asylum seekers and refugees, the aim of the Code of Conduct Policy is to enable people to understand the aims and principles of the City of Sanctuary movement and to appreciate that social conventions and civil societies differ in different countries and cultures.  
  • The policy is to promote understanding and outline acceptable behaviour, language and courtesies for people within the local movement.

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures for:

  • Recruiting Policy
  • Induction and Training Policy
  • Safeguarding Policy.
  • Role of designated safeguarding officer.
  • Recording and information sharing 
  • Health and safety policies 
  • Lone working policies 
  • Reporting allegations of bullying or complaints of inappropriate behaviour. 

Statement: 

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary offers equal opportunities to all people and will not tolerate abuse of any kind – physical, verbal, racial, cultural or religious. As a grassroots movement we have a moral responsibility, to all people associated with the group, to offer safety, protection and equality. The Code of Conduct Policy is written on the basis that many of the people who will be involved with Wakefield District City of Sanctuary could be new to the country and have different understanding of social conventions. 

Code of Conduct Policy:

  • All volunteers, enablers and helpers should treat each other with courtesy, respect and dignity 
  • People should be prepared to listen to each other and allow people time to express themselves regardless of language skills  
  • People should be aware of different cultural sensitivities – some people may find physical contact difficult, others may expect a physical form of greeting. People should respect differences without taking offence.
  • When talking to someone with limited English a calm and moderate tone should be used. Please use short simple phrases and be patient. 
  • When talking to someone via an interpreter try to be sensitive to confidential issues and be discrete 
  • People should not use obscene, derogatory or blasphemous language – in any language 
  • Everyone should be aware of child safety issuers and ensure that the venue and equipment is safe.
  • Volunteers, enablers and helpers should treat people equality and non-judgementally.  

This policy was written on August 14th 2016 and will be reviewed regularly. Updated 18th March 2017