Code of Conduct

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides quality mentoring relationships with adult volunteers to young people. A relationship with a Mentor can improve the life of a Young Person and contribute to their emotional wellbeing.

In the interest of the young people we serve, Volunteers commit to improving the life of a Young Person by observing the following Code of Conduct:

• • Volunteers agree to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with their position as a positive role model to a Young Person, and as a representative of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

• • Volunteers will follow Agency policies and guidelines around the safety of the Young Person as outlined in the Volunteer Behaviour Policy and not engage in any behaviour that may be perceived as being sexual, abusive, or discriminatory towards the Young Person or any member of their family.

• • Volunteers agree to respect the privacy and dignity of their Young Person and family by not divulging confidential information without consent. The two exceptions to this are where the volunteer is discussing the case in supervision with their Coordinator (as a group of Volunteers or individually), or where there is a case of suspected child abuse.

• • Volunteers agree to limit their involvement in a Young Person’s life to what is deemed appropriate by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Volunteers are seen as an influence, not a dominant factor, in the Young Person’s life.

• • Activities should be low or no cost to avoid power imbalances and setting unrealistic expectations.

• • The adult-young person relationship is based on mutual respect. Volunteers agree to always treat the Young Person in a respectful way.

• • Volunteers agree to allow their Young Person to develop their friendship at their own pace.

• • Volunteers are required to discuss problems, issues, concerns, or changes of circumstances (living situation, change of address, phone number etc) with their Coordinator. The accountability process for Volunteers is by engagement either by email, phone, and in-person with their Coordinator.

• • In the event of match closure, Volunteers must be sensitive to the impact that this can have on the Young Person and take the necessary steps to minimise upset to the Young Person. All matches are to be formally closed by the Coordinator.

Volunteers understand that breaches of this code of conduct will be taken seriously.