Introducing a code of conduct and a code of ethics
Guiding principle
Codes of conduct and codes of ethics are important for all people involved in sport and are common instruments to enhance child safeguarding in sport.
A code of conduct usually describes acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour, as well as the envisaged disciplinary sanctions and highlights current best practices. A code of ethics may outline the mission, the organisation's core values and ethical principles. Both types of codes should apply to all stakeholders in sport organisations, including coaches and sport leaders, athletes, parents or guardians, officials, board membersand others.
Many of the available normative frameworks recommend the adoption and promotion of these codes as suitable tools in the prevention of abuse and violence in sport.
Tips from partners and experts for codes of conduct and codes of ethics
Develop codes of conduct and ethics tailored to the different roles in your organisation (coaches, athletes, officials, parents or guardians, child safeguarding officers, etc.) and ensure all relevant stakeholders have a role to play in their development.
Cover all relevant behaviour on and offline and in positions of trust.
Involve children and young people in the development of any codes related to their behaviour and refer to child safeguarding aspects and children’s rights.
Codes of conduct and codes of ethics must be agreed upon and signed. Signing the code of conduct/ethics should be a condition of recruitment and a condition for parents or guardians before their child can enrol/join the organisation.
Clearly indicate the consequences for breaches of codes and the sanctions that apply.
Include minimum procedures that are simple, meaningful and applicable. Make a link with reporting safeguarding concerns, disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Create a code that is ‘alive.’ Update the code regularly (at the beginning of the season or year) and encourage people to sign and endorse when required.
Examples of practices and initiatives
Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: National Governing Bodies of sport and other sporting organisations and clubs
Background: Many of the concerns raised are around the unacceptable behaviour of adults and so to address this and be very clear about what is and is not acceptable behaviour within clubs or sport organisations. The CPSU at the NSPCC is supporting organisations to create and embed safer practices which includes designing and implementing codes of conduct and other resources to keep athletes safe.
Summary: This is part of the CPSU standards and are addressed once the organisation has a policy in place and an implementation plan as to how they are going to address their safeguarding needs. The key point is how they are communicated and shared so there is a ‘lived’ and a shared understanding of those in the organisation and amongst stakeholders including athletes, parents and carers.
Timeframe: Ongoing
If it is part of the website then it is instant, if it is part of the CPSU standards then the whole process can take several years.
Organisation responsible: Estonian Centre for Integrity in Sports in cooperation with Ministry of Justice, Social Insurance Board, Ministry of Culture, Estonian Olympic Committee, Sports Training and Information Foundation and several sports psychologists, Estonia
Target groups of the practice: Employees of sport organisations and coaches
Background: Before 2019 harassment and abuse in sport has not been fully addressed in Estonia. Following several harassment/abuse cases in sport which attracted media and public attention it was evident that specific guidelines for sport organisations to prevent such actions were not available.
We drew on “Code of Conduct” from Norway and The Netherlands and participated in the EU-COE joint project “Child Safeguarding in Sport” webinars where Ireland, UK, Finland and Germany shared their practices.
Summary: In November 2019, an international seminar “For Healthy Sport” in Estonia was held where domestic and international experts of shared good practices. In cooperation with our partners, it was initially planned to have separate Codes – one for prevention and one for handling the cases. It was unanimously decided to combine them one guideline. ESTCIS in cooperation with the Ministries of Justice, Culture and Social Affairs, Police and Border Guard Board, Social Insurance Board and Child Protection and Sport Psychologists Association published the Code of Conduct in June 2021. A document was sent to all Estonian Olympic Committee member organisations. Step-by-step the basis of the Code of Conduct guidelines were introduced to sport organisations at educational sessions, and it was suggested that each organisation develop their own guidelines, considering the sport-specific aspects. Detailed educational sessions for coaches on implementation were held in late 2021.
Target groups of the practice: Coaches, sport leaders, managers, athletes and other persons with responsibilities in sport
Background: Building on the EU Proposal for strategic action on Gender Equality in Sport (2014-2020), the Austrian Ministry responsible for sport introduced a Gender Equality Strategy with a focus on the prevention of sexual harassment in sport. Since then, a cross-organisational working group co-ordinated by 100% SPORT has been working on the campaign “For Respect and Safety in Sport” (Für Respekt und Sicherheit im Sport) to raise awareness, build capacity and educate the sport movement.
Summary: 100% SPORT and the cross-organisational working group compiled a Code of Honour with the intention of amplifying an ethical work environment in sport organisations with the focus on prevention of abuse and sexual harassment.
The signatory pledges to:
Respect the dignity of athletes, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, social, ethnic and cultural origin, world view, religion, political conviction or economic position, and to counteract discrimination of any kind.
Treat all athletes fairly.
Not to use any physical or psychological violence towards athletes, in particular no sexual violence or sexualised assaults in words, gestures, actions or deeds.
Respect the personal boundaries and individual feelings about closeness and distance of persons and to behave respectfully.
Signing the code of conduct is one of the requirements to meet the Austrian Safe Sport Standards that 100% SPORT introduced in 2021.
Guiding principle
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: National Governing Bodies of sport and other sporting organisations and clubs
Background: Many of the concerns raised are around the unacceptable behaviour of adults and so to address this and be very clear about what is and is not acceptable behaviour within clubs or sport organisations. The CPSU at the NSPCC is supporting organisations to create and embed safer practices which includes designing and implementing codes of conduct and other resources to keep athletes safe.
Summary: This is part of the CPSU standards and are addressed once the organisation has a policy in place and an implementation plan as to how they are going to address their safeguarding needs. The key point is how they are communicated and shared so there is a ‘lived’ and a shared understanding of those in the organisation and amongst stakeholders including athletes, parents and carers.
Timeframe: Ongoing
More information available here
