Code of Conduct Policy Review

Executive summary of proposed changes:

🔐 Code of conduct – Summary of proposed changes

✅ 1. Tone and Accessibility

• Proposed adopts a warm, inclusive tone with theatrical flair, making it more engaging for volunteers and members.
• Existing is formal and functional, but less inviting or emotionally resonant.

✅ 2. Expanded Values and Expectations

• Proposed introduces broader values like kindness, psychological safety, and teamwork.
• Existing focuses on respect and avoiding misconduct, but lacks positive framing.

✅ 3. Youth Participation Clarified

• Proposed retains the advocate role for under-18s and adds safeguarding language.
• Existing includes basic youth support but omits safeguarding context.

✅ 4. Health & Safety Strengthened

• Proposed expands on emotional safety, backstage awareness, and emergency procedures.
• Existing covers hazards and injuries but lacks emotional wellbeing references.

✅ 5. Director’s Role Framed More Collaboratively

• Proposed affirms the director’s authority while encouraging respectful feedback and team support.
• Existing emphasises final decision-making but less on collaboration or team dynamics.

✅ 6. Grievance and Complaints Pathway Linked

• Proposed clearly links to the updated Complaints Procedure and encourages open dialogue.
• Existing mentions grievances but lacks a defined escalation route.

✅ 7. Breaches and Accountability

• Proposed outlines possible actions (e.g. mediation, suspension) and frames them with empathy.
• Existing states that the Chair and Committee will take “any action they decide is appropriate,” without detail.

✅ 8. Final Message

• Proposed closes with a values-driven statement: “It’s about making sure the drama stays on stage.”
• Existing ends with a formal note on committee approval.

🧠 Overall Impact

The proposed policy retains all the behavioural expectations of the current version while:

• Making the language more inclusive, engaging, and values-led
• Clarifying roles, rights, and escalation pathways
• Strengthening safeguarding, emotional safety, and team culture
• Aligning with Davenham Players’ mission of joyful, respectful participation

Proposed Policy

4. Code of Conduct (Respectful Behaviour) Policy

🤝 Respect & Inclusion

We expect all members to:

• Treat everyone with kindness, fairness, and respect
• Celebrate diversity and speak up against discrimination
• Listen actively and communicate with honesty and care
• Avoid bullying, harassment, or any form of abusive behaviour
• Refrain from illegal activity or conduct that could harm others

🎬 Working Together

• Directors have creative responsibility for productions and make final decisions on staging, casting, and presentation.
• Suggestions and feedback are welcome—but should be offered respectfully and received with openness.
• Everyone involved in a production is expected to support the team and contribute positively to the rehearsal process.

🧒 Youth Participation

• Young performers (under 18) will have a designated adult advocate—often a parent or production team member—who supports their wellbeing.
• Directors will liaise with the advocate on any concerns or decisions affecting youth participants.
• All adults must uphold safeguarding principles and report any concerns promptly.

🧯 Health, Safety & Wellbeing

• Everyone has the right to participate in a physically and emotionally safe environment.
• Take care of your own safety and be mindful of others—especially in technical areas, backstage, and during set changes.
• Report hazards, accidents, or injuries to the Director or a committee member immediately.
  Use the Speak Up Policy of you feel unable to say something in the moment.
• Fire exits must remain clear and emergency procedures followed.
•  

📣 Raising Concerns

• If you feel mistreated or have a grievance, speak to the Director or any committee member.
• We encourage open dialogue and will follow our Speak Up and Complaints Procedure to resolve issues fairly and confidentially.
• Concerns about safeguarding or serious misconduct will be escalated appropriately.

🚦Breaches of the Code

• The Chair and Committee are responsible for addressing breaches of this Code.
• Action may include informal resolution, mediation, or formal review depending on the nature of the issue.
• Repeated or serious breaches may result in suspension or removal from productions or membership.

🧠 Why This Matters

This Code helps us protect the spirit of Davenham Players—where creativity thrives, volunteers feel valued, and everyone can take part safely and joyfully. It’s not about rules for rules’ sake. It’s about making sure the drama stays on stage.

This policy was agreed at the committee meeting on the DD.MM.YYYY. It is to be reviewed annually to ensure that it is fit for purpose and current at the first Committee meeting following each Annual General Meeting of the club.

Signed
Chairman … (DIGITAL SIGNATURE).     Secretary (DIGITAL SIGNATURE).
Name of chair                               Name of Secretary

Date … DD.MM.YYYY ………………….       Date …  DD.MM.YYYY …………………..

Existing Policy @ Sept 2025
DAVENHAM PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

PURPOSE
This Code of Conduct is designed to clarify expectations on how members, performers, production team and all volunteers should conduct themselves whilst involved in the activities of the Group. By following this Code of Conduct, your reputation, and the reputation of the Davenham Players will be upheld and protected.
A phrase that summarises the behaviour expected from all people involved in Davenham Players events and activities is that they should treat everyone with respect.
BEHAVIOUR EXPECTED DURING ACTIVITIES
• Treat everyone with respect
• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others
• Refrain from loss of temper and violent behaviour
• Refrain from bullying, verbal or physical abuse, sexual harassment against anyone
• Refrain from any illegal activity
THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR

The Director of a production has overall responsibility for delivery of a performance and such has the right to make the final decisions about all aspects of its presentation. Most directors will welcome politely made suggestions or queries about the presentation from others in the production team. However, the Director is free to agree or disagree and the Director’s decision is final. Note however that the Director is bound by the above rules of expected behaviour, as are production team members.
If anyone involved in a production feels that they have been mistreated in any way by another person in the team then they should make their complaint to the Director or to a committee member. (See Complaints Procedure)
Youth Actors
§ Actors under the age of 18 will have a designated member of the production team responsible for their duty of care who will advocate on their behalf, where necessary, if problems arise. In some cases this will be the youth’s parent.
§ The director will liaise with the assigned advocate on any problems involving the youth actor.
Health and Safety
§ Everyone has the right to participate in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.
§ All those involved in events should take responsibility for their own Health and safety, ensuring that their actions do not risk the health and safety of themselves or others.
§ All hazards, accidents or injuries should be reported to the Director or committee member.
Grievances
§ If anyone has a grievance or feels that they have been unfairly treated they are encouraged to raise this issue with any committee member in the first instance. See Complaints procedure

Breach of the Code of Conduct
The Chairman and Committee have the responsibility of dealing with breaches of the Code of Conduct and will take any action they decide is appropriate.
Status of this Policy
This policy document Version 1.0 was approved by the Davenham Players Committee at the meeting held Tuesday 15th February 2022.
SIGNED
Chairman