WNC’s Employee and Volunteer Code of Conduct Expectations
Every WNC employee and volunteer is valued and unique. We come together as an organization in the best interests of individuals, children, youth and their families. The safety, rights and well-being of the individuals we serve are at the core of our daily operations. We nurture supportive relationships with children and youth while balancing and encouraging appropriate boundaries.
And in keeping with our values, employee/volunteer misconduct under the WNC’s Employee and Volunteer Code of Conduct will not be tolerated, especially as it relates to the well-being of the children and youth in all of WNC’s child and youth programs. The WNC Employee and Volunteer Code of Conduct can be found on our web site at www.waterfrontnc.ca.
WNC’s Space Access Expectations
All program rooms will either be accessed by registered WNC program groups and/or via WNC space use agreements that have prior approval. All individuals that are accessing WNC’s washrooms, public entrances, public access computers, café and bleacher areas are subject to WNC’s Space Access and Behaviour Policies as noted below and may be asked to leave the building if their behavior and/or activities are interfering with program and/or WNC operations.
Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre has adopted Risk Management Procedures which are specifically designed for and relate to our organization’s programs, services and activities and are contained within the WNC’s Child and Youth Protection Manual which can be referenced in full on our web site at www.waterfrontnc.ca
Establishing Boundaries – Space Access & Behaviour Child/Youth Programs Expectations
WNC understands that defining a child/youth’s role and teaching appropriate boundaries reduces a child/youth’s risk of sexual exploitation. Maintaining appropriate boundaries with children/youth will build their personal security and help them learn how to create healthy relationships and set their own personal boundaries. Adults who respect a child/youth’s personal boundaries (including physical, emotional and sexual boundaries) teach children/youth how they should expect to be treated by others.
WNC is committed to teaching children/youth to respect personal space and privacy. Privacy for use of bathrooms and changing is one aspect we think of when discussing boundaries.
Children/youth having their own program space supervised directly by WNC employees is another aspect of teaching how to set personal boundaries, create safe places for themselves and build their security and leadership skills. The following guidelines apply:
- All children, not enrolled in a program who are under the age of 12 are not to be left unattended at WNC and must be under the direct supervision of a caregiver (13 years of age or older) at all times.
- All adults, including parents/guardians of children/youth enrolled in WNC programs are asked to respect child/youth program space and model appropriate boundaries for children/youth.
- All adults other than WNC employees and/or specific program-related volunteers are requested to remain outside of the child/youth program spaces unless prior authorization has been given by an WNC staff member for purposes of monitoring program provision.
- All parents/guardians are requested to leave the program areas once they have signed out their child/youth from the program, so that the program can continue and/or that staff may complete program cleanup activities.
- All adults are also requested to respect the age limits of all program activities i.e. Youth Basketball and/or other age defined programs which are for only those age groups. Parents/guardians are encouraged to speak with WNC staff if they wish to have further information regarding this policy and/or program concerns.
In addition, WNC welcomes parent/guardian participation in all our programs. We encourage parents/guardians to speak directly with program staff as to how their child/youth’s program supports parent/guardian involvement and their child/youth’s developing independence.
Expectations of Members of the Public
Members of the public, including visitors to Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre facilities and/or individuals conducting business with the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, are expected to adhere to the City of Toronto’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment policy. This includes refraining from harassing members of the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre staff who are part of the Toronto Public Service, as well as persons acting on behalf of the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre.
For more information, please contact Natasha Francis, Executive Director (Acting) at: 416.392.1509 ext. 309 I natasha@waterfrontnc.ca
WNC Board of Management Approved Policy: September 27, 2012