Everyone who represents Hope For Families — whether as paid staff, volunteer, trustee or placement student — is an ambassador for our values. This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour we expect so that our community remains safe, inclusive and welcoming for all.
1. Core Values
Our work is guided by four values. Every person connected to Hope For Families is expected to uphold them:
- Inclusion — We welcome everyone, regardless of background, faith, disability, gender, age or immigration status.
- Empowerment — We treat participants as capable individuals with strengths, not as problems to be fixed.
- Community — We build relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
- Compassion — We listen, we care, and we serve with genuine warmth.
2. Professional Conduct
All staff and volunteers must:
- Arrive on time and fulfil their agreed commitments reliably.
- Act in a way that reflects positively on Hope For Families at all times, both in person and online.
- Follow instructions from line managers and session leaders.
- Raise concerns through the correct channels rather than airing grievances publicly.
- Maintain confidentiality about participants, colleagues and organisational matters.
- Complete mandatory training — including safeguarding — within the timeframe given.
3. Inclusion & Respect
- Use inclusive, non-discriminatory language at all times. Never use terms that demean or stereotype any group.
- Actively challenge discriminatory behaviour or language if you witness it — or report it to a manager immediately.
- Respect cultural differences, including different communication styles, food practices and religious observances.
- Do not make assumptions about someone's background, abilities or situation.
- Ensure accessibility in sessions — be alert to language barriers and offer support appropriately.
4. Boundaries with Participants
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times. Friendly warmth is expected; personal relationships that cross professional lines are not.
- Do not share your personal phone number, email address or home address with participants.
- Do not connect with participants on personal social media accounts.
- Do not give or receive significant gifts from participants.
- Never be alone in an enclosed space with a child. Apply the two-adult rule wherever possible.
- Physical contact with children should be minimal, in public, and appropriate to the activity (e.g., a reassuring pat on the shoulder).
5. Social Media
- Do not post images of participants online without explicit written consent — this is especially important for images of children. Refer to our Consent Policy.
- Do not make public statements about Hope For Families on social media that have not been agreed with the management team.
- Do not engage in online arguments or post anything that could embarrass the organisation or harm community trust.
- If in doubt, don't post — ask a manager first.
6. Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when personal interests could influence — or be seen to influence — decisions made on behalf of Hope For Families. All staff, volunteers and trustees must:
- Declare any personal, financial or professional interest that might conflict with their role.
- Withdraw from any decision-making process where a conflict exists.
- Never use their position to gain personal advantage or advantage for others they are connected to.
7. Confidentiality
Many participants share sensitive information with us — about their health, family circumstances, immigration status or finances. This information:
- Must only be shared on a need-to-know basis within the organisation.
- Must never be shared outside the organisation without the participant's consent, unless there is an overriding safeguarding concern.
- Must be stored and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and UK GDPR.
Confidentiality is not absolute. If a disclosure suggests someone is at risk of harm, you must report this in line with our Safeguarding Policy — even if the person asks you not to.
8. Breaches of This Code
Breaches of this Code of Conduct will be taken seriously. Depending on the severity, a breach may result in:
- An informal reminder or formal warning.
- Suspension pending investigation.
- Termination of volunteering or employment.
- Referral to statutory agencies (e.g., Police Scotland or Disclosure Scotland) if the breach involves potential criminal conduct or a safeguarding failure.
Anyone wishing to raise a concern about a colleague's conduct should speak to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or the Chair of Trustees in confidence.