CODE OF PRACTICE
We appreciate the trust that you place in us by booking one of our courses, trust that we will deliver, to a very high standard, a fun and enjoyable learning experience that will stay with you and enthuse your passion for the Outdoors.
The following Code of Practice explains the standard of conduct you will receive from our instructors and staff. It consists of 9 elements:
1. Professional Values, Equality, diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Our staff:
1.1 Are fair, caring and committed to the best interests of the students entrusted to their care, and seek to motivate, inspire and celebrate effort and success
1.2. Acknowledge and respect the uniqueness, individuality and specific needs of students.
1.3. Are committed to equality and inclusion and to respecting and accommodating diversity including those differences arising from gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity, membership of the Traveller community and socio-economic status, and any further grounds as may be referenced in equality legislation in the future.
We acknowledge however that some activities, (e.g. tree felling) either due to the very nature of the activity, the terrain, the conditions or a combination of these factors may be unsafe for people with certain disabilities or injuries, and that a basic level of fitness and mobility is necessary to safely undertake some tasks. Anyone unsure about their fitness will be advised to seek a qualified medical opinion.
1.4. Seek to develop positive relationships with students and colleagues that are characterised by professional integrity and judgement.
1.5. Maintain a culture of mutual trust and respect.
2. Professional Integrity
Our staff will:
2.1. Act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of their work
2.2. Respect the privacy of others and the confidentiality of information gained in the course of professional practice, unless a legal imperative requires disclosure or there is a legitimate concern for the wellbeing of an individual
2.3. Represent themselves, their professional status, qualifications and experience honestly
Our Instructors will:
2.4. Have a current enhanced CRB certificate, and first aid qualification.
3. Professional Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.
Our staff will:
3.1. Uphold the reputation and standing of the company
3.2. Take all reasonable steps in relation to the care of students under their supervision, so as to ensure their safety and welfare
3.3. Work within the framework of relevant legislation and regulations
3.4. Comply with agreed national and school policies, procedures and guidelines which aim to promote pupil/student education and welfare and child protection
3.5. Report, where appropriate, and as required by statute, incidents or matters which impact on student welfare to the Designated Safeguarding Contact (DSP) including disclosures by students
3.6. Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and others in a manner that is professional, collaborative and supportive, and based on trust and respect
3.7. Ensure that any communication with students, colleagues, and others is appropriate, including both verbal communication and via electronic media, such as e-mail, texting and social networking sites
3.8 Have a current (3 years) enhanced DBS/ CRB check certificated if working with children or vulnerable adults.
3.9 Ensure that they do not practise while under the influence of any substance which impairs their fitness to teach.
3.10 In the case of residential courses children may only stay on site under the supervision of a parent/guardian. No unsupervised children are able to attend any residential course, and there are no reasons for an adult to have unsupervised access to a child at any time as all activities are conducted in groups and designed to avoid this occurring.
4. Professional Practice
Our Instructors will:
4.1. Maintain high standards of practice in relation to student learning, planning, monitoring, assessing, reporting and providing feedback
4.2 Plan and communicate clear, challenging and achievable expectations for students
4.3. Create an environment where students can become active agents in the learning process and develop lifelong learning skills
4.4. Develop teaching, learning and assessment strategies that support differentiated learning in a way that respects the dignity of all students
4.5. Inform their professional judgement and practice by engaging with, and reflecting on student development, learning theory, curriculum development, ethical practice, educational policy and legislation
4.6. In a context of mutual respect, be open and responsive to constructive feedback regarding their practice and, if necessary, seek appropriate support, advice and guidance
4.7. Act in the best interest of students.
5. Professional Development
Our Instructors will:
5.1. Take personal responsibility for sustaining and improving the quality of their professional
practice by:
Actively maintaining their professional knowledge and understanding to ensure it is current
Reflecting on and critically evaluating their professional practice, in light of their professional knowledge base
Availing of opportunities for continual professional development.
6. Professional Collaboration
Our Instructors will:
6.1. Work with fellow Instructors and all other relevant parties in the interests of sharing, developing and supporting good practice and maintaining the highest quality of educational experiences for students.
6.2. Work in a collaborative manner with students, parents/guardians, other members of staff & relevant professionals as appropriate, in seeking to effectively meet the needs of students
7. Professional Standards in Health and Safety.
We will:
8.1 Comply with our responsibilities both to staff and clients under the Health And Safety at Work Act 1974 and ensure the safety of our staff and clients.
- Conduct regular risk assessment of all activities, avoid unacceptable risks and manage all anticipatable risks with appropriate control measures, documented on a risk assessment.
- Activity and General Risk assessments will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary, and at least once every 12 months.
Additional site risk assessments will be conducted before commencing all events to identify any recent changes that may present a risk, e.g. hanging dead branches in the canopy, fire risk due to hot weather, unstable trees etc.
8.2 Responsibilities
- All activities will be risk assessed by our chief instructor, and risk assessments will be made available to all staff prior to delivering a session, to ensure they are aware of the identified risks and control measures required.
- All site assessments will be conducted by the instructor delivering the session, on the day of the session and not before, and before the clients arrive. This is to ensure any recent changes/risks presented are identified and mitigated. e.g. dead wood in the canopy above the teaching area.
8.3 Risk assessments will be completed and recorded on forms RA1 - Activity and General Risk Assessment, Form RA2 Additional Activity Assessment and Form RA3 - Site Specific Risk Assessment as appropriate, and are available to clients for inspection upon request. A copy of all risk assessments is issued to instructors along with the lesson plans for the day’s activities so is available for inspection by any client at any time.
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