Active Schools Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy

Active Schools Aberdeenshire Code of Conduct

All participants at Active Schools Aberdeenshire sessions must abide by the following code of conduct at all times. The Code of Conduct has been developed to ensure that all participants have an enjoyable time and are treated safely and fairly. We ask that all parents/guardians support us in delivering a fun and safe environment by ensuring that your child is aware of the expected behaviours before attending one of our sessions.

At every Active Schools session expected behaviours include:-

• Be able to take instruction and follow direction from the session coach
• Not behave in a manner that negatively affects others enjoyment
• Understand that they may not physically or verbally hurt others, and they will respect the feelings, safety and personal integrity of themselves and others
• Respect any equipment or another participant’s property

By signing your child up to Active Schools Aberdeenshire sessions you are accepting our Code of Conduct. Failure of your child to follow our Code of Conduct and display any unacceptable behaviour will result in the following sanctions:

Minor Behavioural Issues
Stage 1 - Spoken to by the coach about their behaviour

Stage 2 - Time out – time out on the side to reflect on their behaviour before being spoken to by a coach about their behaviour and returning to the session

Serious/Repeated Minor Behavioural Issues
Stage 1 - Time out – time out from the session and spoken to by the coach/Active Schools Coordinator, who will issue a behaviour management form to the parents at the end of the session. In severe instances parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to collect their child. They will be welcomed back at the next session under the condition that there is an improvement in behaviour.

Stage 2 - If on return they continue to display poor behaviour which affects the enjoyment of sessions for other participants, they will be excluded from all future activities, and your Active Schools Coordinator will be in touch to explain the decision.

Zero Tolerance Policy

We believe staff, volunteers, parents and children are entitled to a safe and protective environment in which to play, learn and work. All our sessions are delivered with Aberdeenshire Councils zero tolerance policy in mind and follow the Active Schools Aberdeenshire Code of Conduct.

We expect from a child’s appropriate adult:

Any concerns regarding a session are raised with the local Active Schools member of staff in the first instance: Active Schools in Your Area

The local Active Schools member of staff will then address the concern(s) raised by the child’s appropriate adult, as appropriate. The coaching delivery team’s priority is always the safety and welfare of the children in the session – they are therefore unable to be diverted from their delivery during the session e.g. by a child’s appropriate adult during the session. Our coaching delivery team would be unable to immediately/directly resolve any potential issues without the local Active Schools Coordinator, who coordinates the session.

The Active Schools Coordinator will follow up at the earliest possible opportunity.

• Understand that Active Schools staff, volunteers/coaches and parents need to work together for the benefit of all children
• Demonstrate and promote that all members of the sporting community should be treated with respect and therefore set a good example in their own speech and behavior
• Confidentiality: it is important to maintain confidentiality regarding any issues or concerns raised, to protect the privacy of all individuals involved

Examples of unacceptable conduct from parents:

• Using loud/or offensive language, swearing, cursing, using profane language or displaying temper is not acceptable
• The use of physical aggression towards another adult or child is not acceptable
• Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of this child towards their own child is not acceptable

How you can positively support your child taking part in our sessions

• Avoid placing undue pressure on any child to perform, participate or compete
• Avoid punishing or belittling any child for losing or making mistakes
• Promote the benefits of sport and celebrate each and every child’s individual achievement of progression
• Positive Reinforcement: use positive reinforcement to motivate and support children, highlighting the importance of celebrating effort and improvement, not just success
• Inclusivity: Stress the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, feel welcome and valued

“These are children, this is a game, coaches are volunteers, referees are humans, this is not the Premier League”

Become a role model… why not become an Active Schools Aberdeenshire volunteer Email : activeschools@aberdeenshire.gov.uk