Student Ambassador Code of Conduct

All of our roles require you to:

Complete a DBS (formally CRB) form and have received clearance at an enhanced level before you can begin working with us

• Attend a formal interview to demonstrate suitability for the role
• Undertake training relevant to the role that you have applied for (please note that this may mean more than one training session)
• Attend all events that you have signed up to.  If you are unable to attend for whatever reason, you must:

(i)  Give as much notice as possible

(ii) Contact the event organiser direct by telephone or email and make sure you receive a response from them or the Ambassador Co-ordinator

• Be aware of and uphold, at all times the Code of Conduct, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities Codes.  We operate a Two Strike Policy which wil result in your name being removed from our Ambassador Scheme if you do not comply with your procedures (please see below)

Student Ambassador Code of Conduct:

Student Ambassadors must be aware at all times of the use of unacceptable language and comments ie racist, sexist or other discriminatory behaviour and refrain from using it.  Student Ambassadors must be aware of how their behaviour could be inappropriate.

• Student Ambassadors must be familiar with Health and Safety, with particular reference to working with young people.
• Student Ambassadors must be familiar with emergency procedures and the need to record accidents.
• Student Ambassadors will be responsible to the Global Recruitment, Access and Social Mobility Team.  If there are any problems, Student Ambassadors must notify the relevant Team immediately.
• Student Ambassadors should not take photographs of or record students, unless asked to do so by a member of the UK Student Recruitment and Outreach Team.
• Student Ambassadors should not give out personal details such as phone number or email addresses to the young people they work with. Also do not accept friend requests from young people on social networking sites.
• We require reliability and good time-keeping from all Student Ambassadors.  If Student Ambassadors are unable to attend work at an agreed time, they should inform a member of the relevant team.
• Student Ambassadors will be expected to have a pro-active attitude and show willingness and enthusiasm in undertaking the variety of tasks requested of them.
• All Student Ambassadors will be DBS checked to an enhanced level, and references will be taken up.
• Student Ambassadors must adhere to the University’s Child Protection Policy.
• Information given about the University, Further and Higher Education should be accurate and provided in a positive way to all.
• All Student Ambassadors will be required to attend training sessions delivered by the University and other parties.

Child Protection – You have a responsibility to ensure that children are treated with respect and are free from abuse. This means:

• You must work in a place which is accessible to others and in which you can be observed working with the children;
• You must never take, or arrange to meet, children outside of school premises;
• You must never make any unnecessary physical contact with the children;
• You must report any suspicions that a child is being abused to the school’s named person. This is the Head Teacher unless you have been informed otherwise.

Equal Opportunities – All children must be treated appropriately with regard to gender, ethnic origin, religion or disability. This means:

• You must be prepared to help any child;
• You must respect each child’s background, culture and traditions and be aware that certain books may offend his/her beliefs. It would be helpful to remember for instance that:

Health & Safety – You have a duty to safeguard your own health and safety; that of the children with whom you work and anyone else with whom you may come into contact during your working day. This means:

• You should collect your children from the classroom and return them after their session with you, unless the school makes other arrangements. This is to ensure that they do not get lost or into mischief on the way and that their class teacher knows where they are at all times;
• You should make sure that you are familiar with the Health & Safety Policy and practices of the school in which you work. For example, where the first aid box is kept and who is in charge of first aid arrangements and what the emergency evacuation procedures are;
• You should also make sure that the place where you work and the equipment you use is safe for you and your children;
• If you, or a child in your care, has an accident while on the school premises, you must ensure that a report is made to the person responsible for recording accidents at a school.

In addition and if you become involved with any of our e-mentoring schemes please note the following code related using websites for mentoring:

• Communications via the website will be monitored by individual universities to ensure that it is being used only for the purposes of the e-mentoring scheme by their participants.  However individual users of the website are still responsible for their conduct and communications.
• One of your responsibilities as a user of the website is to report immediately any breach of the terms and conditions or code of conduct to the contact name given during training.

• The website is provided for coordinators, mentors and mentees to communicate with each other within the context of the e-mentoring scheme.   Communication between mentors and mentees should only take place through the website unless agreed with the e-mentoring coordinator.
• All use of the website must be for the purposes of the e-mentoring scheme and in line with the internet usage policy of your university.
• You must respect the privacy of other users and not give out information about them to anyone unless you are concerned about their welfare.  In this situation, you should report your concerns to the contact name given in your mentor/mentee handbook. Additionally, you should not encourage other users of the site to divulge personal information about themselves such as telephone numbers, email addresses etc.
• You will be assigned an individual account to give you access to the website.  You should not give your account name or password to anyone else under any circumstances.  Similarly, you should not try to obtain passwords belonging to other users or attempt to use someone else’s account.

By using the website you agree to the terms and conditions of usage and this code of conduct.  Any breach could result in your access to the website being temporarily suspended or even withdrawn permanently.

Failure to comply with the code of conduct may result in disciplinary procedures being taken and/or the termination of your contract.

Disciplinary Procedures specifically related to Student Ambassadors

All Student Ambassadors are expected to adhere to a certain standard of behaviour and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken.  A brief summary of general behavioural expectations is listed below (it is not exhaustive, but is intended merely as a guide):

• All Student Ambassadors must attend the scheduled training sessions.  Please note that there may be more than one training session.  Failure to attend will mean your name is removed from the list of Student Ambassadors.
• You must turn up to events you have been signed up to.  You should not cancel unless there is a very good reason.  If you do cancel, you MUST give as much notice as possible and ensure you contact the event organiser by email or telephone.  It is your responsibility to make sure you receive a response confirming that you are no longer expected to work.
• We require good time-keeping from all Student Ambassadors.  If Student Ambassadors are unable to attend work at an agreed time, they must inform a member of the Recruitment and Outreach Team well in advance.  Failure to inform the event organiser will be recorded and two recorded incidents will result in the removal of your name from the list.
• You are expected to behave in a professional manner which means being punctual and appropriately dressed at all times.  Revealing clothing, offensive slogans and impractical footwear are not suitable.  Remember you are representing a Russell Group University.
• You must be reliable – do you what you say you will do (don’t agree to something you might not be able to deliver).  Unreliability will result in your name being removed from the list.
• Student Ambassadors are expected to have a pro-active attitude and show willingness and enthusiasm in undertaking the variety of tasks requested of them.
• All information given about the University, Further and Higher Education should be accurate and provided in a positive way. Negative comments about any member of staff or the University of Southampton may result in the removal of your name from the list.
• You should be aware of the limit of your responsibilities and refer any matters of which you are unsure of to a member of the Recruitment and Outreach team.
• You should be properly prepared and check you have all the details of the activity/event you are involved in.  You will be expected to know what resources and information/ giveaways you can use.  You should be aware of, and follow, all health and safety instructions as appropriate.