Inspirative Arts - Ethics Policy
1.
This policy sets out our guiding principles on ethics and how we will manage ethical issues in
Inspirative Arts. The policy applies to all aspects of our governance, policy, research,
commercial, operational and administrative activities.
2.
Guiding Principles
The principles make explicit the ethical framework that governs how we deliver our services
and run our organisation.
Relationships with others
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Relationships with government, the private sector, vulnerable adults and other partners are
open and explicit.
We respect cultural differences.
We deal courteously with those who hold opinions that differ from ours.
Colleagues, stakeholders, customers and suppliers are always treated respectfully and fairly.
How we work
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We operate with honesty and integrity in all areas of our work.
We are open and transparent in making decisions and undertaking activities.
We work independently of external pressure but are alert to the possibility of internal partiality.
We work to the standards of UK legislation wherever we are, unless local standards are more
stringent.
We disclose conflicts of interest and actively manage them.
The intellectual contributions of others are always respected, acknowledged and honoured.
Potential ethical challenges arising from new or risky research at the limits of our knowledge
are considered and debated with stakeholders and society at an early stage.
Impact on the environment
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The impacts of our decisions and work on the natural environment, on people and animal
welfare, are assessed and minimised.
We always weigh the likely impacts of the work against the expected benefits in the context of
contributing positively to sustainable development.
3. The policy covers all Inspirative Arts staff – during any activity carried out for the organisation.
We expect those who serve on our decision-making bodies to do the same. All those covered
by the policy are personally accountable for operating within the scope and intent of the policy.
We wish organisations that we work with to respect our ethical positions.
Why an ethics policy?
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Inspirative Arts is a non-for-profit company, funded by both government and the private sector.
We are accountable to the public and our supporters for the work that we do and the way that
we do it. We think it is timely to define a set of principles on ethics that guide our thinking and
actions.
Inspirative Arts already has a range of policies on issues such as financial probity, the
treatment of staff, health and safety and equal opportunities. We also accept the values
covered in the “Seven Principles of Public Life”, which require all public servants to conduct
themselves with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and
leadership (Annex 1). These policies and codes of conduct affect all staff, and form part of their
contracts of employment. The ethics policy will, in the first instance, sit alongside them and we
propose to review all existing and new policies in relation to our ethics policy, as and when
appropriate.
What ethics mean to Inspirative Arts
6.
Ethic - A moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group.
Values and ethics shape the way we view the world and how we behave in it. The purpose of
this policy and our statements is to provide guidance to staff and directors in assessing the
many and sometimes complex decisions they have to make. It will also signal to users and
observers of Inspirative Arts that they can have confidence in what we do and the way that we
do it.
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Implementation
All those covered by the policy are responsible for ensuring that activities for which they are
responsible comply with this policy. Concerns about operational activities or breaches of the
ethical policy should be raised with line managers in the first instance. Existing mechanisms
within the organisation should be used to resolve concerns or refer onwards as appropriate.
Serious or unresolved concerns should be referred to the Board.
As an aid to applying the guiding principles to our work, a summary of our main work activities,
and the ethical questions which may be relevant to those areas, are set out in Annex 2. The
purpose of this summary is to stimulate thinking. The questions are not intended to be
exhaustive.
The Board and monitoring procedures
Serious issues or breaches of the policy may be referred to the Board at any time, which may
then convene, with appropriate additional expertise if needed, to consider the issue. The
Board's decision will be final and it will have power to take action it deems necessary.
An annual review will be carried out by Directors through the normal audit procedures to
ensure our ethical policy is being applied consistently.
Communicating the policy
10. The policy will form part of the Inspirative Arts induction process and adhering to the policy will
be part of everyone's terms of employment. New members of Inspirative Arts’s Board will be
made aware of the policy and their responsibilities in relation to it.
Review
11. This policy, and the principles, will be regularly reviewed, in the light of experience. Comments
and contributions from staff, partners, stakeholders and the public with regards to this policy or
the statement are welcome at any time (Sarah Paine, Partner on 07810034534 or
s.paine@inspirativearts.co.uk).
Annex 1 - Seven Principles of Public Life
(from First Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm 2850 I & II 11 May 1995)
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do
so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside
individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or
recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on
merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit
themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take.
They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest
clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to
take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Annex 2 - Summary of Inspirative Arts activities and questions about ethics
The purpose of this summary is to review what we do as an organisation and to list a series of questions
which may help us consider whether or not there are ethical issues to raise. It provides help on how to
apply the ethics policy to the work that we do, and prompts questions to ensure we act appropriately.
This is summary is illustrative, not prescriptive or exhaustive. Other examples of ethical questions will
emerge as the consultation proceeds and as the policy is implemented. These will be incorporated as
appropriate.
Inspirative Arts activity
The sort of questions you should be asking
Setting the Inspirative Arts
strategy – deciding priorities
and how we are going to
develop the organisation.
- Are our decisions being made by the most appropriate person and is
the process sufficiently open and transparent with all interested parties
involved, including the public?
- Are there any areas of economic development we should not be
covering?
- Are we working at the limits of our knowledge (and our experience of
ethics) and are we making suitable risk assessments?
- Are we weighing up local and regional interests?
- Are we ensuring decisions are informing and being informed by
partners, whilst retaining our independence?
Translating the strategy into
regeneration programmes,
funding and training schemes
that meet the local need.
• Do proposals for projects meet legislative requirements?
• Do we adequately meet our duty of care to students (eg checking they
are well supported and supervised)?
• Do we have the right balance of programmes?
• Have we the right processes in place to encourage knowledge
transfer?
• Are we being open and transparent about decisions involving
investment in new, expensive or risky areas?
• Are we taking into account cultural considerations?
Translating the Inspirative
Arts strategy into
administrative operations and
infrastructure.
- In sourcing products from suppliers, are we just choosing the
cheapest, have we checked their ethical approach?
- Is Inspirative Arts at work sufficiently green – what is our
environmental footprint?
- Are we managing our land and building resources sustainably?
- Are we paying sufficient attention to the impact we may have on local
communities where we have establishments?
Attracting funding
• If we take this specific commercial funding will it impact on Inspirative
Arts’s reputation for independence?
• Are we taking funding from organisations with a reputation for an
adverse impact on the environment?
• What conditions are we accepting on promoting the outcomes of
externally funded work?
• Are we overstating or sensationalising the issue to extract funding?
• Have we adequately weighed up the costs and benefits of this specific
external funding stream?
• Is there any conflict of interest?
Funding opportunities
- Are we promoting and offering funding opportunities to all equally?
- Are we ensuring fair and open assessment review processes?
- Are we ensuring that members of the community feel fairly treated?
Results and outcomes of
activities, including
knowledge transfer
• Are we communicating the outcomes and products of our activities
adequately?
• Would we accept investment in a spin-out venture from a company
with a dubious ethical reputation?
• Might the item/service/product create adverse publicity or public
reaction?
• Are we ensuring appropriate credit to all collaborators and
contributors?
• Are we offering advice freely and openly, and without favour?
• Are we respecting and protecting intellectual property rights?
Being a good employer
- Are we treating all staff to the highest employer standards?
- Are we rigorous in implementing health and safety policies?
- Are we fully committed to equal opportunity?
Working with others
• Are we taking into account cultural considerations?
• Could anything we do be perceived as being corrupt?
• Are we respecting confidentiality?
• Are we protecting individuals?