Code of conduct

Below is a copy of the Icebreakers code of ethics which all Icebreakers volunteers and staff are required to adhere to.

  1. We should not discriminate against anyone who fulfils the criteria to be members of Icebreakers.
  2. We should not accept personal mail or gifts from service users.
  3. We should not give out our surnames to Icebreakers service users.
  4. We should not give our telephone number of address to any service users.
  5. We should try to maintain professional distance with service users.
  6. We should not give lifts nor accept lifts to or from Icebreakers service users unless there is a non-client with us.
  7. We should respect the confidentiality of service users, although information will be shared within the volunteer-base.
  8. We should not tell service users what to do; we should encourage them to explore issues and alternatives but let them make their own decisions.
  9. We should not interfere with service users' relationships. However, it is part of our role to protect vulnerable people while they are in attendance at Icebreakers.
  10. We should try to avoid allowing ourselves to be alone with a service user.
  11. Icebreakers volunteers are not allowed to have a relationship with a service user for all the time that the user attends Icebreakers and for some time afterwards.
  12. If any of these codes are broken the volunteer should ensure that the other volunteers are told as soon as possible, so that the group can discuss if any action is necessary.
  13. If a volunteer has had a relationship with an individual who then becomes a client, this information should be disclosed to the other volunteers, or at least the chair of the group.
  14. We should be punctual.
  15. We should look after ourselves... and each other.