Understanding
Save the Children
Handouts
Core learning
September 2008
Understanding Save the Children
(Date, location)
Who is it for?
All staff and nominated volunteers
Aim:
To introduce participants to the organisation and our vision, mission and values, our essential
policies and procedures and the way we work.
Learning objectives:
By the end of the programme, participants will:
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Have gained a broad understanding of Save the Children
Have understood key policies and procedures
Have gained knowledge about the work we do
Outline:
The programme will cover:
Vision, mission and values of Save the Children
History of Save the Children
Change for Children
The Way We Work
Key areas of our work
Save the Children Policies and Procedures
Child Safeguarding Policy
Code of Conduct
Performance Management System
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Code of Conduct
- what does it mean for me?
As an employee or representative of Save the Children, I will promote its values and principles and
protect its reputation by
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respecting the basic rights of others by acting fairly, honestly and tactfully, and by treating people
with dignity and respect, and respecting the national law and local culture, traditions, customs
and practices that are in line with UN conventions
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working actively to protect children by complying with Save the Children’s child protection
policy and procedures
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maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct
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protecting the safety and well-being of myself and others
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protecting the organisation’s assets and resources
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reporting any matter that breaks the standards contained in this Code of Conduct
Maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct means I will not behave in a way that
breaches the code of conduct, undermines my ability to do my job or is likely to bring Save the Children
into disrepute.
For example, I will not
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engage in sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, or abuse or exploit a child in any way
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exchange money, employment, goods or services for sexual favours
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drink alcohol or use any other substances in a way that adversely affects my ability to do my job
or affects the reputation of the organisation
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be in possession of, nor profit from the sale of, illegal goods or substances
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accept bribes or significant gifts (except small tokens of appreciation) from governments,
beneficiaries, donors, suppliers or others, which have been offered as a result of my employment
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undertake business for the supply of goods or services to Save the Children with family, friends
or personal contacts or use Save the Children assets for personal benefit
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behave in a way which threatens the security of myself or others
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use the organisation’s computer or other equipment to view, download, create or distribute
inappropriate material, such as pornography.
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Code of Conduct for Save the Children Staff
Save the Children’s work is based on deeply held values and principles. It is essential that our
commitment to children’s rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all
members of staff.
Our ability to achieve our aims, often in complex and insecure environments, is linked to our
reputation. This reputation relies heavily on everyone who works for us upholding and promoting high
standards of conduct in line with our values and principles. If any of us fails to act in a way that is
consistent with our values and principles, we fail as an organisation.
We frequently work in situations where we are in positions of power and trust (in relation to children,
other organisations and one another). We must not abuse this power and trust. Also, as a child-focused
organisation, we have particular obligations to protect children and their rights as set out in our
Safeguarding Children Policy.
As a member of our staff, you are an 'ambassador' for us and will be seen by us and by others as a
representative of the organisation both during and outside working hours. If you work or travel
internationally for us, your behaviour will be even more visible and subject to scrutiny, as will that of
accompanying household members. We are all personally and collectively responsible for making sure
we keep to the Code of Conduct set out below, both within and beyond our work.
If you are a manager, you will have particular responsibilities to set a good example and to create
working environments that support staff so we can uphold these standards of conduct. This will then
help you manage behaviour that breaks the Code of Conduct.
Our Code of Conduct is binding on all staff1. If you break the code and the standard it promotes and
requires, we may take disciplinary action (including, potentially, dismissing you). In some cases the
matter may be so serious that it will lead to criminal prosecution or we may choose (and in some cases
be obliged) to report you to any relevant professional or legal organisations or authorities.
The Code of Conduct aims to provide clear guidance on what we expect of each
other as well as providing examples of conduct that will always be unacceptable. It is
the responsibility of us all to think about and manage our behaviour to fit with the
values and principles of Save the Children and the expectations set out in the Code
of Conduct.
1
The Code of Conduct covers anyone acting as a representative of Save the Children. Where international posts are
accompanied, the Code of Conduct also applies to the post holder’s accompanying dependants.
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I will respect others …
I will respect the basic rights of all humans - regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, caste,
language, HIV status and other aspects of identity. I will act fairly, honestly and tactfully and treat people
with dignity and respect. I will respect the national law and local culture, traditions, customs and
practices that are in line with UN conventions.
Therefore
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I will not take part in any form of discrimination, harassment, or abuse (physical, sexual or
verbal), intimidation or exploitation, or in any other way infringe the rights of others.
I will work actively to protect children …
by carrying out my special responsibility for children to whom Save the Children has a duty of care,2 and
creating a safe environment for children to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect.
Therefore,
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I will not act in a way that breaches Save the Children’s Safeguarding Children policy and
procedures or in any way places children at risk of harm.
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I will not withhold information about any current criminal convictions, charges or civil
proceedings relating to child abuse, either when I join Save the Children or arising during the
time of my employment.
I will maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct...
by striving for high standards in my work, taking responsibility for my actions and not abusing my
position of power as a Save the Children representative. I will not behave in a way that undermines my
ability to do my job or is likely to bring Save the Children into disrepute.
Therefore, I will not

engage in sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, or abuse or exploit a child in any way

exchange money, employment, goods or services for sexual favours

drink alcohol or use any other substances in a way that affects my ability to do my job or affects
the reputation of the organisation
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be in possession of, nor profit from the sale of, illegal goods or substances
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ask for or invite any personal payment, service or favour from others, especially beneficiaries, in
return for our help, support, goods or services of any kind
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accept bribes or significant gifts (except small tokens of appreciation)3 from governments,
beneficiaries, donors, suppliers or others which have been offered as a result of my employment
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enter into any sort of business relationship on behalf of Save the Children with family, friends or
other personal/professional contacts for the supply of any goods or service to Save the Children
or any employment related matters without authorisation
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behave in a way which creates unnecessary risk to my security or the security of others
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use the organisation’s computer or other equipment to view, download, create or distribute
inappropriate material, such as pornography.
2
3
The term 'child' is used to refer to anyone under the age of 18.
You should notify your line manager if you are offered or receive gifts of any kind
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I will seek to protect the safety and wellbeing of myself and others …
by being aware of and complying with local Save the Children health and safety policies and practices
and highlighting to management any areas of concern.
Therefore
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I will comply with all local Save the Children security and health and safety regulations and
procedures
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I will not behave in a way that causes unnecessary risk to myself or others.
I will protect Save the Children’s assets and resources …
by handling our financial and other resources carefully.
Therefore
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I will ensure Save the Children’s resources are not misused and protect them from theft, fraud
or other damage
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I will not release to others any private or confidential information relating to Save the Children
(or for which we are responsible) unless legally required to do so.
I will report any incident or concern relating to this Code of Conduct
In order to make this Code of Conduct come alive within Save the Children we must not only apply it
individually but be ready to bring to the attention of relevant management within Save the Children any
potential incident, abuse or concern that we witness or are made aware of.
Therefore
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I will raise through appropriate channels any matter which appears to break the standards
contained in the Code of Conduct.
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Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy: Rules for staff
The following is the code of conduct specific to safeguarding children.
It is important for all staff and others in contact with children to:
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be aware of situations which may present risks and manage these
plan and organise the work and the workplace so as to minimise risks
as far as possible, be visible in working with children
ensure that a culture of openness exists to enable any issues or concerns to be raised and discussed
ensure that a sense of accountability exists between staff so that poor practice or potentially abusive
behaviour does not go unchallenged
talk to children about their contact with staff or others and encourage them to raise any concerns
empower children - discuss with them their rights, what is acceptable and unacceptable, and what
they can do if there is a problem.
In general it is inappropriate to:
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spend excessive time alone with children away from others
take children to your home, especially where they will be alone with you.
Staff and others must never:
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hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children
develop physical/sexual relationships with children
develop relationships with children which could in any way be deemed exploitative or abusive
act in ways that may be abusive or may place a child at risk of abuse.
Staff and others must avoid actions or behaviour that could be construed as poor practice or potentially
abusive. For example, they should never:
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use language, make suggestions or offer advice which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive
behave physically in a manner which is inappropriate or sexually provocative
have a child/children with whom they are working to stay overnight at their home unsupervised
sleep in the same room or bed as a child with whom they are working
do things for children of a personal nature that they can do for themselves
condone, or participate in, behaviour of children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive
act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any
form of emotional abuse
discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favour particular children to the exclusion of
others.
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