Staff Behaviour & Code of Conduct

This code applies to every teacher, volunteer, trustee and helper at Rahma Academy. Everyone signs it before starting and receives a copy of our Safeguarding Policy at the same time. Breaches may lead to removal from the maktab and, where a child may have been placed at risk, referral to the local authority and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

General conduct

• Act as a positive role model — in speech, dress, punctuality and adab.
• Treat every child with dignity and respect, regardless of background, ability or need.
• Never use corporal punishment, physical force as a sanction, shouting, humiliation, sarcasm, name-calling or any form of degrading treatment.
• Never single out, favour or isolate a child.
• Do not attend or work with children while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Smoking and vaping are not permitted on site.

Professional boundaries

• Do not form personal relationships with children or their families that could compromise your position.
• Do not give gifts to individual children or accept significant gifts from families.
• Do not offer private tuition or transport to a child outside the maktab without written agreement from leadership and parents.
• Do not invite children to your home or visit theirs alone.

Physical contact

Physical contact should be avoided except where it is necessary for safety, first aid, or to prevent immediate harm. Any such contact must be the minimum necessary, in the open, and recorded and reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the child’s parents the same day.

Working alone with children

One-to-one work takes place only where necessary, in a room that is visible to others or with the door open, with another adult aware of the arrangement. Never take a child into a closed or private area alone.

Communication with children and families

• All communication with parents is through the maktab’s official phone number or group.
• Never contact a child directly by personal phone, private message, or social media.
• Do not add children or parents to personal social media accounts.
• Keep communication professional, factual and appropriate at all times.

Photography and devices

Personal phones are not used to photograph or film children. See our Online Safety, Photography & Images Policy for the full rules on consent, storage and sharing.

Confidentiality

Information about children and families is confidential and shared only with those who need it. Safeguarding information must always be shared with the DSL — confidentiality is never a reason to withhold a concern.

Low-level concerns

A low-level concern is any behaviour by an adult that does not meet the threshold for a formal allegation but sits outside this code, or leaves you feeling uneasy. All low-level concerns are reported to leadership, recorded in writing, and reviewed periodically to identify patterns. Reporting a low-level concern is encouraged and never held against the person who raises it.

Raising concerns about another adult

Anyone who is worried about the conduct of another adult must report it to leadership immediately. If the concern is about leadership itself, contact Walsall children’s services or use our Whistleblowing Policy.