HKPC Safeguarding Code of Conduct
As a HKPC Volunteer you should:
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Treat children with respect and recognise them as individuals in their own right.
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Taking all reasonable care to protect children from all forms of abuse while in your care.
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Ensure that children understand the instructions that have been given to them, and that what is asked of them is age and skill appropriate, and can be reasonably expected.
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Dress and act professionally and appropriately for the situation.
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Take children who are not listening or following instructions to one side and ask them to sit out the activity in the company of a responsible adult.
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Be visible to other adults when talking with children.
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Be culturally sensitive to attitudes of physical contact. Touch should be age-appropriate and only the necessary amount for coaching, safety or medical needs.
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Be attentive to children’s physical needs. Offer rest time and water breaks.
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Respect children’s right to privacy and avoid asking questions of a personal nature.
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Avoid questionable behaviour that could be misconstrued, such as flirting, joking or rough play.
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Create and maintain an open culture in which any issues or concerns can be discussed, and inform children of what they can do if they feel there is a problem or difficulty.
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Report to the Safeguarding Officer if you suspect a child may be subjected to inappropriate or abusive actions or attitudes of another person.
It is NOT appropriate to:
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Match children to ponies or horses that are not appropriate for them, including size and temperament.
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Commence a riding activity without the presence of a qualified instructor.
Give gifts of any kind to children without the knowledge and consent of their parents.
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Give children your contact or social media details.
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Communicate through electronic means directly with children without parental knowledge and consent. Group communication is preferable over individual communication.
You must NEVER:
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Allow children to participate in a riding activity without adequate personal protective equipment.
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Discriminate against or show favour towards particular children.
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Hit, assault or physically discipline a child.
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Speak to a child in a disrespectful manner such as shouting, swearing or using humiliating or shaming language.
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Invite children to your home or meet them outside of HKPC activities without the knowledge and consent of their parents.
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Touch children in a manner which is inappropriate. A general guideline is not to touch the face, chest or bottom. Inappropriate touching includes kissing and tickling.
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Engage in any activity or use language that is flirtatious, sexually provocative, offensive or exploitative.
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Develop physical, sexual or romantic relationships with children.
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Expose children to inappropriate materials such as pornographic or violent pictures, videos and literature.
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Excuse, or participate in, behaviour which is illegal.
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Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.