Mentor Code of Conduct

Let us ensure that everyone working on our behalf emphasises fairness, respect, equality, safety and no discrimination in all aspects of our work with children and young people.

Everyone involved in our activities should accept the roles and responsibilities that they undertake as we commit ourselves to maintaining an enjoyable and safe environment for all. The safeguarding of our coders will always be a key priority as we recognise that the welfare of the child is of paramount importance in our work.

YOUNG coders must be entitled to:

• Be safe and feel safe.
• Have fun and experience a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment.
• Be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity.
• Comment, ask questions and make suggestions in a constructive manner.
• Be afforded appropriate confidentiality.
• Participate in Codojo at levels with which they feel comfortable.
• Make their concerns known and have them dealt with in an appropriate manner.
• Be protected from abuse.
• Be listened to.

Mentors should maintain a child centred approach:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
• Treat each person equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or religion.
• Be positive during coaching sessions, games and other activities so that young coders always leave with a sense of achievement and an increased level of self-esteem.
• Recognise the development needs and capacity of all young coders, regardless of their ability. Skills development and personal satisfaction should have priority over competition.
• Develop an understanding of relevant mentoring methods and have an appropriate level of mentoring ability.

Conduct of mentors when working with coders

• Don’t reprimand/ridicule coders when they make a

mistake. coders learn best through trial and error. Young people

should never be afraid to risk error so as to learn.

• Don’t use any form of physical response to misbehaviour, unless it is by way of restraint.
• Avoid role play or telling jokes etc. that could be misinterpreted.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with coders based on mutual trust and respect.
• Challenge bullying in any form whether physical or emotional. Bullying is not acceptable behaviour be it from a young person, mentor, parent/guardian.

Avoid compromising your role as a coach

• Avoid unnecessary physical contact (e.g. hand on back/shoulder).
• Avoid taking sessions on your own.
• Avoid a situation where you are alone in a car or room with a coder.
• Only deliver one to one coaching in a group setting.

Best practice

• Keep a record of attendance by both coders and mentors.
• Be aware of any special medical or dietary requirements of coders as indicated on the medical consent/registration forms or as informed by parents/guardians.
• With the expressed permission of parents/guardians be willing to keep necessary and emergency medication of coders in a safe and accessible place for administration in accordance with the wishes of the parents/guardians.
• Do not administer medication or medical aid unless you are willing to do so and have received the necessary training to administer such aid.
• Set realistic – stretching but achievable – performance goals.
• Encourage parents/guardians to play an active role in assisting activities for your Club.
• Use mobile phones, if deemed appropriate, only via a group text or email system for communicating with the parents/guardians of coders. Any exception to this form of group texting can only be proceeded with following permission from parents/guardians.
• Do not communicate individually by text/email with coders.
• Do not engage in communications with coders via social network sites.
• Keep a record of any incidents/accidents and action subsequently taken. Ensure that another mentor is present when a player is being attended to and can corroborate the relevant details.
• If it is necessary to transport a child/young person in your car, ensure that they are seated in a rear seat with seat belts securely fastened.
• Make adequate provision for First Aid services.

The Club

All Clubs that cater for coders must do so with a child centred approach and philosophy that recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount. Clubs must ensure that those chosen to work on the Club’s behalf with coders have been selected following a thorough recruitment, selection, training and coaching procedure and must also provide these people with the necessary supports to enable them to fulfil their roles. Clubs must ensure that those chosen to work with children and young people are at all times competent and confident in their roles and responsibilities.

Clubs should promote quality participation by:

• Adopting this Code of Behaviour as a basic level of agreement between the Club and their coders, their mentors, parents/guardians.
• Leading by example and ensuring that a user friendly and child centred approach is adopted in our work with young people and that equal opportunities are available for all to participate in our games and activities, regardless of an individual’s ability.
• Developing effective procedures for responding to and recording all attendances, incidents, accidents.

• Ensuring that Child Protection Awareness Training is undertaken by all persons working in an official capacity with children and young people on behalf of the Club.