Tool: Sample code of conduct for facilitators

Facilitators should always:

• Use the Ten Key Approaches when facilitating sessions with adolescents
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before their sessions start
• Contact their supervisor immediately if they are going to be late or absent, and/or make arrangements for another facilitator to substitute
• Write plans for the sessions they facilitate
• Come prepared with supplies and materials for each session
• Welcome and include all adolescents equally
• Find ways to support all adolescents to participate equally in sessions, including talkative and quiet ones, girls and boys, those with disabilities and those from marginalized backgrounds
• Be fully attentive and engaged throughout their sessions with adolescents
• Keep attendance records
• Support adolescents to manage, use and store supplies and materials
• Provide adolescents with information about other programmes, services and support
• Follow the agreed upon reporting and referral procedures when adolescents’ health, safety or wellbeing is at risk, and connect them to the appropriate support or services
• Adhere to Child Protection and Child Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Set a good example for adolescents (during or outside of sessions) through respectful and positive behaviour

Facilitators should never:

• Be late or miss a session without contacting their supervisor and attempting to arrange a substitute
• Arrive for a session unprepared
• Use supplies or materials for adolescents for other purposes, unless by explicit agreement with the steering committee and adolescents
• Make any adolescent feel unwelcome or excluded
• Ask for or accept personal favours in exchange for their work or the materials they supply – for example, sexual contact, labour, goods and/or other services
• Beat, hit or slap or use any other form of physical punishment inside or outside sessions
• Insult, use derogatory terms, or make vulgar, discriminating or humiliating jokes or comments about adolescents, other facilitators, volunteers or staff
• Engage in romantic or sexual relationships with adolescents from their sessions
• Ignore warning signs that adolescents may face risks to their health, safety or wellbeing and require specialised support and protection
• Smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use drugs prior to or during sessions.