CSBB Code of Conduct A5 booklet - May2024

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Code Of Conduct

May 2024

Rationale

The following Code of Conduct applies to everybody working in Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB). For the purposes of this code, ‘working’ means anybody undertaking work, or activities which could impact work, or have a connection to work, in our schools or workplaces. This code applies to employees working in schools and our Central Office (staff) and other workers including religious working in a school. At CSBB, we all have a responsibility to contribute to the achievement of the Bishop’s Vision of Authentic, professional Catholic education, delivered with care and compassion, as well as the strategic goals of our Towards 2025 Strategy. Achievement of the Vision and Strategy can only occur where we behave and interact with each other in a highly professional, constructive, ethical and supportive manner, and where our workplaces are safe. Such conditions will set all individuals up for success and to grow and thrive in their work. They will also enable us to fulfill our purpose of supporting the students entrusted to our care to know Christ, to love learning and be the very best they can be.

Conduct Principles

This document is organised around a set of 7 Conduct Principles which articulate the expectations of those working in CSBB, as well as CSBB’s commitments. The Conduct Principals also align to, and mutually support, the CSBB Capability Framework, our Catholic Charter and our Values of Faith, Joy, Witness, Compassion and Courage.

The Conduct Principles are as follows:

▶ Service to Vision, Strategy and Mission

▶ Safeguarding in our schools and workplaces

▶ Respect @ work and prevention of bullying, harassment and discrimination

▶ Adhere to our Capability Framework and meet the performance and professional expectations of your role

▶ Confidentiality and record keeping

▶ Managing conflicts of interest

▶ Management of resources

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Conduct Principle 1

Service to Vision, Strategy and Mission

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB’s Vision is provide Authentic, professional Catholic education delivered with care and compassion. To deliver this Vision, CSBB’s Towards 2025 Strategy (the Strategy) calls on all staff to contribute to the achievement of 5 strategic goals for CSBB as a system:

1. We will develop a collaborative culture of continuous improvement

2. We will accompany students, families and staff to know Christ and to grow in faith

3. We will maximise the learning growth of each student

4. We will build the capability of our staff

5. We will embed future-focused systems, policies and processes

The work of the Strategy and the achievement of the Vision involves many things of staff and leaders at CSBB. These include, without limitation, revealing Jesus Christ to our students so they will know His love and goodness, and that they will come to follow Him. It also involves placing students at the centre of everything we do, working to maximise the learning growth of every student and supporting our students as they develop in their faith journey. Our commitment also includes working in partnership with parents as the first educators of their children, and to serve them as they nurture and accompany their children in their formation. In light of the above, all staff in their words and actions have an obligation to support the Vision and Strategy of CSBB, as well as the ethos and teachings of the Catholic Church in all matters connected to their employment. Where specific aspects of this Code of Conduct are covered in mandatory training, staff are required to complete such training as a condition of their employment with CSBB. staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Support the Vision and Strategy of CSBB

▶ Support the ethos and teachings of the Catholic Church in all matters connected to your employment

▶ Not act in any way which may bring CSBB into disrepute, including through use of social media.

CSBB Code of Conduct 03

Conduct Principle 2

Safeguarding in our Schools and workplaces

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB is committed to building and maintaining communities of safety for students and vulnerable people, and responding appropriately when safeguarding matters arise. Our commitment is underscored by our faith in Jesus Christ who teaches the fundamental dignity of each human person.

Safeguarding is a shared commitment, and all staff are directed to uphold the Diocesan Commitment to Safeguarding and act in accordance with the documents, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Ensure student safety is paramount at all times in your conduct and actions

▶ Uphold the inherent dignity of individual students at all times

▶ Ensure your behaviour and interactions with students are always in line with the Professional Expectations Policy

▶ Exercise a duty of care for students including managing any reasonably foreseeable risks of harm

▶ Report any concerns about a student’s safety or welfare to your Principal/supervisor

▶ Report any concerns regarding staff conduct towards children and young people in accordance with the Reportable Conduct Policy.

CSBB Code of Conduct 05

Conduct Principle 3

Respect at work and prevention of bullying, harassment and discrimination

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB recognises, and works in conformity with, Catholic social teaching about the inherent dignity of work and that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. As such, everybody in our workplaces is entitled to be treated with respect and kindness. We expect our workplaces to be welcoming and friendly places which are free from intimidating, abusive and / or unlawful behaviour. Our staff are not to be subject to mistreatment from any source including colleagues, parents, students or other members of the community.

In light of the above, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Not engage in any form of unlawful discrimination, bullying or harassment (directly or indirectly)

▶ Report any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment, or take the self-resolution step where appropriate as set out in the Managing Workplace Complaints Policy

▶ Reflect on your behaviour and conduct and how it may appear to, and impact upon, others

▶ Express opinions, written or verbal about students, parents and colleagues in respectful and constructive ways.

CSBB Code of Conduct 07

Conduct Principle 4

Adhere to our Capability Framework and meet the performance and professional expectations of your role

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB recognises that our schools and workplaces operate on and require high levels of safety, trust, collaboration and mutual respect. It is everyone’s responsibility to meet the performance and professional expectations of their role, to act within the scope of their role and to work together effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

At CSBB, we only have two types of roles, those who directly teach our students, and those who support those who teach our students. To support high performing, safe and professional workplaces, CSBB has a Capability Framework which describes 20 generic capabilities across five core groups: Human flourishing, Work collaboratively, Be the best we can be with students at the centre, Future-focused systems and Build the capability of our people. The capability groups work together to provide an understanding of the knowledge, skills and abilities required by staff to meet the performance and professional expectations of their role. The capabilities essentially describe the ‘how’ in terms of how

we should perform and conduct ourselves, rather than set out specific tasks and duties which vary between different roles. It is important that staff regularly reflect on their performance against their key responsibilities as well as the relevant capabilities set out in the Capability Framework. This can be done through engaging in Continuous Improvement Conversations, as well as participating effectively in every-day professional conversations with leaders and colleagues.

It is important that staff ensure they seek support whenever needed to meet expectations. Staff are encouraged to be ongoing learners and to seek feedback on their performance, in the spirit of continuous improvement. Staff are also encouraged to refer to their leaders, other staff or services when situations arise that mean further support is needed.

In light of the above, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Meet the performance and professional expectations of your role and adhere to our Capability Framework.

▶ Follow all lawful and reasonable directions of your Principal / supervisor

▶ Act in a professional manner at all times in the discharge of your duties. This includes not engaging in unreasonable behaviour towards others such as aggressive, intimidating, abusive, disrespectful or deliberately undermining conduct, including through the use of social media

▶ Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students and parents at all times

▶ Be mindful of your own conduct and behaviour and how it may impact or be perceived by others. In turn, where others behave in a manner which is inappropriate or disrespectful of others you should raise that with the individual or your Principal / supervisor in an appropriate way

▶ Be careful to ensure you do not jump to conclusions in assuming that another person is or has acted with unreasonable, negative or malicious intent towards you

▶ Stop, reflect and think objectively before making an allegation against another person

▶ Do not make frivolous, vexatious or deliberately false allegations against another person

▶ Staff must present themselves in a professional manner at work. This includes clothing and hairstyles which are neat, tidy, modest and suited to the workplace setting. It also includes ensuring tattoos are covered while at work, and piercings are safe for the workplace and kept to a minimum. For most roles and settings, smart casual dress is appropriate.

▶ Report any breaches of the Code of Conduct by yourself or any other person to your Principal / supervisor, or otherwise where appropriate follow the self-resolution step set out in the Managing Workplace Complaints Policy.

CSBB Code of Conduct 09

Conduct Principle 5

Confidentiality and record keeping

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB is trusted with highly confidential and personal information in relation to students, families and staff.

Protection of confidential and personal information is an important focus for CSBB and there are established systems in place to ensure confidentiality whilst allowing that information to be accessed when required for a legitimate or intended purpose.

Intellectual property

Confidential information provided to you, or that you have access to, as a requirement of your role cannot be discussed with others outside of CSBB without approval. Intellectual property generated while working for CSBB remains the property of CSBB.

Record keeping

CSBB relies on having complete, accurate and timely records. Accurate records are important to all aspects of our work, amongst other things to safeguarding, educational, and financial outcomes in CSBB.

In light of the above, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Comply with CSBB’s information security requirements at all times

▶ Protect confidential information, even when you no longer work for CSBB

▶ Ensure that any personal and confidential information is accurate and properly maintained in our system

▶ Seek permission to privately save or to share CSBB intellectual property

▶ Do not access or create any materials that are offensive, harmful, unlawful or inappropriate on CSBB’s devices, networks and systems.

▶ Make every effort to protect cyber security of CSBB systems, information and infrastructure.

▶ Make sure you properly maintain records in accordance with our established practices and other directions

▶ Ensure that records that are confidential in nature are stored in a secure location.

CSBB Code of Conduct 11

Conduct Principle 6

Managing conflicts of interest

Our Shared Commitment

A conflict of interest is where a person’s personal interests or duties conflict with their responsibility to act in the best interests of CSBB or appear to do so.

Conflicts of interest can compromise decision-making and detract from fair and equitable treatment of people or resources. Conflicts need to be managed so our communities have confidence in our integrity. All staff must commit to highly ethical and effective handling of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. This is achieved by transparent disclosure and practical management of conflicts of interest.

A conflict of interest might arise from accepting gifts, connections to students outside work, family relationships and connections to students, staff, families or suppliers, and engaging in secondary employment. Secondary employment can include paid employment, engaging as an independent contractor, selfemployment and any unpaid or voluntary activity.

Two common areas where conflicts of interest can arise are staff engaging in secondary employment, as well as tutoring students.

Secondary employment

Secondary employment may compromise the performance of a staff member in three main circumstances:

▶ where the secondary employment may involve engaging with an organisation which competes, or may be perceived to be compete, in any way with CSBB;

▶ where the secondary employment is incongruent with their employment with CSBB; and

▶ Where there is a conflict of time and energy. This arises where secondary employment conflicts with the staff member’s ability to give CSBB their full focus and commitment during their working hours.

All staff must disclose any secondary employment to their Principal/supervisor, and obtain the approval of their Principal/ supervisor prior to engaging in such secondary employment.

Tutoring students

Prior permission must be obtained to tutor any student(s) in your own school.

Teachers (other than teachers solely employed on a casual basis) should not tutor any student in their own class(es).

In light of the above, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Immediately disclose to your Principal/ supervisor any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest as soon as possible

▶ Declare any eligible gifts or gifts of more than a nominal value in accordance with the Gifts and Hospitality Policy

▶ Only accept gifts that are free of expectations

▶ Comply with expectations regarding tutoring and secondary employment as set out above.

CSBB Code of Conduct 13

Conduct Principle 7

Management of Resources

Our Shared Commitment

CSBB recognises our responsibility for the resources we are provided so we can deliver an authentic Catholic education. Our schools acknowledge that we receive government funding and fees paid by parents. We are committed to honouring our parents, taxpayers and government authorities through effectively managing our resources in service to our mission.

This means all staff share in the responsibility to use school resources for their best effect, carefully stewarding, protecting and using resources for the benefit of students, staff must act in accordance with the documents listed in the Reference pages in the back of this document:

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Our Shared Commitment

We must:

▶ Encourage students and others to care for resources

▶ Use our resources (including technology) only in compliance with applicable policies and laws.

▶ Not damage, misuse, waste, lose, or misappropriate our resources, or use them in any way which could damage the reputation of CSBB, or the reputation of any staff, students and families.

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Glossary / Reference Papers

Principles 1

▶ Catholic Charter

▶ Catholic Charter

▶ Capability Framework

▶ Towards 2025 Strategy

Principles 2

▶ Professional Expectations Policy – Conduct towards Children & Young People

▶ NSW Child Safe Standards

▶ National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

▶ Managing Risk of Significant Harm and Wellbeing Concerns Policy

▶ Reportable Conduct Policy

▶ Working With Children Check Policy

▶ Capability Framework - most relevantly:

▷ Live our Values with Integrity,

▷ Commit to our Catholic Culture,

▷ Be Self-Aware,

▷ Communicate Effectively,

▷ Serve Others,

▷ Be Accountable,

▷ Manage and Develop People

▶ Health and Safety Policy

Reference
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Reference

Principles 3

▶ Respect @ Work Policy

▶ Preventing Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy

▶ Capability Framework – most relevantly

▷ Be Resilient and Courageous,

▷ Live Our Values with Integrity,

▷ Be Self-Aware,

▷ Commit to our Catholic Culture,

▷ Communicate Effectively,

▷ Serve Others,

▷ Be a Team Player,

▷ Influence and Negotiate,

▷ Be Accountable,

▷ Manage and Develop People and

▷ Embrace Improvement.

▶ Managing Conduct and Performance Policy

▶ Managing Workplace Complaints Policy

▶ Parent Charter

▶ Health and Safety Policy

Principles 4

▶ Capability Framework

▶ Professional Expectations Policy

▶ Managing Conduct and Performance Policy

▶ Managing Workplace Complaints Policy

Principles 5

▶ Acceptable Use of Digital Systems Policy

▶ Digital Hardware Disposals Policy

▶ Privacy Policy

▶ Capability Framework – most relevantly

▷ Live our Values with Integrity,

▷ Communicate Effectively,

▷ Be Accountable’

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Principles 6

▶ Conflict of Interest Policy

▶ Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form

▶ Gifts and Hospitality Policy

▶ Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form

▶ Capability Framework - most relevantly

▷ Be Resilient and Courageous,

▷ Live our Values with Integrity,

▷ Be Self-Aware,

▷ Communicate Effectively,

▷ Serve Others,

▷ Be a Team Player,

▷ Be Accountable,

▷ Exercise Financial Stewardship,

▷ Apply Procurement and Facilities Management Practices,

▷ Apply Project Management Principles,

▷ Manage and Develop People and

▷ Optimise Business Outcomes.

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Principles 7

▶ Financial Management Policy

▶ Delegations of Authority Policy

▶ Gifts and Hospitality Policy

▶ Corporate Credit Card Policy

▶ Capability Framework - most relevantly

▷ Be Resilient and Courageous,

▷ Live our Values with Integrity,

▷ Be Self-Aware,

▷ Communicate Effectively,

▷ Serve Others,

▷ Be a Team Player,

▷ Be Accountable,

▷ Exercise Financial Stewardship,

▷ Apply Procurement and Facilities Management Practices,

▷ Apply Project Management Principles,

▷ Manage and Develop People and

▷ Optimise Business Outcomes’.

Glossary / Reference Papers

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@company/csbb csbb.catholic.edu.au Edition: May 2024
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