1. Induction
Module 4 – Staff Code of Conduct

2. Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module you will:
1) Understand how the importance of maintaining boundaries.
2) Know how to spot when boundaries are being blurred or violated.
3) Know how you should behave whilst working for Foundation.
Standards covered:
QAF: C1.3 Safeguarding and protection from abuse

3. Introduction
The Staff Code of Conduct (Professional Boundaries Policy) is an
important policy that informs the professional relationships that staff
and volunteers have with customers, each other and other
organisations. It’s important that staff and volunteers know what is
and isn’t acceptable behaviour and if you have doubts it is important
to ask for advice from your line manager.
You will need to read the following documents before you take the
test:
Staff Code of Conduct policy

4. Befriending v Being a friend
Foundation works with very vulnerable people who may have issues
around trust and appropriate boundaries with staff. It is therefore the
responsibility of staff to maintain those boundaries by being clear, open
and honest about the relationship.
Some of the differences between befriending and being a friend are
shown below.
Befriending is:
 A professional relationship
 A relationship that has a specific purpose
 A relationship that is time limited
Being a friend is:
 A mutually beneficial relationship
 Based on shared mutual values and interests
 Informal and ongoing

5. Work versus home
Being in the working environment requires us to adopt different
behaviours to how we might behave when we are at home. Although
we all have our own personalities which we bring to our working
environment we also have a responsibility to act in a certain way.
Foundation expects all of its staff to:
 Be approachable, polite, courteous and professional while at work.
 To protect and promote the good reputation of the organisation.
 To deal with any conflicts in a reasonable manner.
 To be punctual, reliable and dress appropriately.
 To be respectful to all customers, contractors and staff from partner
agencies.
For more information please refer to the Staff Code of Conduct policy.

6. Self Awareness
To be able to work within the Code of Conduct we need to be aware of
our own feelings and the way that this affects our behaviour.
It is important to take the time to recognise our feelings in relation to
the work we do to ensure that we maintain appropriate boundaries.
If you are experiencing conflict between your own feelings towards a
particular customer or issue and what is expected of you at work you
should use supervision to explore the issues and agree a way forward
with your line manager.

7. Important things to remember
 If you are unsure about how to deal with something, speak to your
line manager.
 While at work you represent the organisation and are expected to do
the best for the organisation.
 Be aware of your own feelings and how they are affecting your work.
 Declare any secondary employment or voluntary work to avoid
issues.
 Refer to the Staff Code of Conduct for further guidance.