Applies to: anyone acting for the club in a formal or informal capacity, including run leaders/session leaders, licensed coaches, volunteers, technical officials, and welfare officers (including deputies).
1) Purpose and principles
This Code exists to clarify:
- what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable
- the standards of practice expected
- the basis for challenging and improving practice.
It supports a club environment where welfare and safety are prioritised, and concerns can be raised without fear of victimisation or reprisal.
2) Core standards (apply to everyone covered by this Code)
When acting in your role you must:
A. Safeguarding and duty of care
- Put the health, wellbeing and safety of participants first.
- Be familiar with and act in line with the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures (child and adult), and report safeguarding concerns promptly via the club welfare route or safeguarding team.
- Challenge and report poor practice, inappropriate behaviour or language by others.
B. Respect, inclusion and professionalism
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every individual and treat people equitably.
- Provide your services/role without discrimination.
- Act with integrity and take responsibility for your conduct.
C. Appropriate behaviour
- Avoid swearing, abusive language and irresponsible/illegal behaviour, including bullying, harassment, violence, and any form of physical or sexual abuse.
- Do not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while undertaking club duties or at events directly linked to your role.
- Do not carry items that could be dangerous to yourself or others (except legitimate athletics equipment used in the activity).
D. Communication & social media
- Communicate in ways that are respectful, proportionate and role-appropriate, especially with under-18s and adults at risk.
- Do not post or share content that is inappropriate, offensive, bullying, discriminatory, or otherwise undermines safeguarding expectations.
3 Coaches and Session Leaders (including run leaders)
Because coaches/leaders are in a position of trust, you must meet enhanced standards, including:
A. Competence and safe delivery
- Be appropriately qualified/competent for the activity you lead and keep knowledge and skills up to date.
- Ensure sessions are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the athletes.
B. Boundaries and 1:1 situations
- Maintain healthy, appropriate relationships based on openness, honesty and respect, with particular care for under-18s and adults at risk.
- Avoid spending time alone with under-18s unless clearly in view of other adults.
- Never take an under-18 alone in your vehicle; never invite an under-18 alone into your home; never share a bedroom with an under-18.
C. Physical contact and demonstrations
- If physical contact is needed to demonstrate a technique, explain what you intend to do and seek consent first; do not demonstrate techniques by touching an under-18 without another adult present.
D. Conduct and role modelling
- Recognise that your attitude and behaviour directly influences those you lead, and model fair play and positive standards.
- Challenge inappropriate behaviour and report suspected misconduct promptly.
Note for licensed coaches: this Code sits alongside the terms of your UKA coaching licence and safeguarding obligations.
4 Volunteers (including marshals, helpers, committee helpers; excluding licensed coaches & technical officials)
When volunteering, you must:
- Carry out tasks responsibly and within the club’s instructions and your competence.
- Treat all participants and members fairly and respectfully and support a positive club environment.
- Challenge and report unsafe practice, safeguarding concerns, or inappropriate conduct you witness or are told about.
- Avoid behaviour that could compromise trust or safety (including intoxication, aggression, bullying or discriminatory conduct).
5 Technical Officials (timekeepers, judges, starters, race officials, etc.)
When officiating, you must:
- Uphold the integrity of the event and apply rules fairly and consistently.
- Behave professionally and respectfully, recognising your role supports safe, high-quality delivery.
- Maintain appropriate conduct and language; challenge and report unsafe or inappropriate behaviour.
- Prioritise participant welfare and safety in decision-making.
6 Welfare Officers
As Welfare Officer, you have a specific safeguarding leadership role in the club and must:
A. Independence, confidentiality and impartiality
- Act impartially, focusing on welfare and safety, and avoid conflicts of interest where possible (or declare/manage them when unavoidable).
- Handle welfare information sensitively, sharing only with those who need to know for safeguarding purposes, in line with procedures.
B. Accessible reporting and safe culture
- Ensure members know how to raise concerns and that concerns can be raised without fear of victimisation or reprisal.
- Encourage a culture where poor practice is challenged and improved.
C. Appropriate escalation and recording
- Follow the published safeguarding procedures for responding to and reporting concerns, and support appropriate referral to national/regional safeguarding where required.
- Keep accurate, factual records of concerns and actions taken, consistent with safeguarding procedures.
7 Managing breaches of this Code
If you fail to meet this Code, the club may take action proportionate to the concern, which can include:
- informal guidance/reflective discussion,
- verbal warning,
- written warning,
- requirement to undertake training/supervision/monitoring,
- temporary restrictions from duties or suspension,
- removal from role and/or termination of membership,
- referral to external bodies where required (e.g., safeguarding team / DBS processes / governing body processes).
Safeguarding concerns will be handled under safeguarding procedures; misconduct will be handled under the club’s disciplinary process (and may run alongside safeguarding processes where appropriate).
