Code of Conduct (Trustees & Staff)

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all trustees and staff of Khalisha Hope. It ensures that we act lawfully, ethically, and in line with our charitable purpose: supporting the poor and improving education opportunities for children in Sierra Leone. It underpins our values of integrity, accountability, respect, transparency, and safeguarding.

2. General Standards of Behaviour

• Act honestly, fairly, and in good faith at all times.
• Uphold the reputation of Khalisha Hope and avoid any conduct that may bring the charity into disrepute.
• Treat all people with dignity, respect, and courtesy, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Behave responsibly and professionally, whether in the UK or overseas.

3. Safeguarding and Protection of Beneficiaries

• Always put the welfare and best interests of children and vulnerable people first.
• Never engage in, or condone, abusive, exploitative, or inappropriate behaviour.
• Maintain professional boundaries with children, families, and beneficiaries.
• Report any safeguarding concern immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.
• Comply with Khalisha Hope’s Safeguarding Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, and local child protection laws in Sierra Leone.

4. Integrity and Accountability

• Use charitable funds and resources responsibly, only for authorised purposes.
• Avoid misuse of position, privileges, or information for personal gain.
• Do not accept gifts, favours, or hospitality that could compromise independence or create a conflict of interest (see Section 5).
• Declare and manage any potential conflicts of interest in line with Khalisha Hope’s Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Cooperate with internal controls, audits, and monitoring processes.
• Report suspected fraud, bribery, corruption, or misconduct immediately.

5. Conflicts of Interest

• Trustees and staff must act in the best interests of Khalisha Hope and not for personal, financial, or professional advantage.
• All actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest must be declared to the Chair of Trustees and recorded in the Register of Interests.
• Recuse yourself from decisions where you have a conflict.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

• Protect sensitive information obtained in the course of work.
• Respect the privacy of beneficiaries, donors, staff, and partners.
• Comply with Khalisha Hope’s Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy and UK GDPR.
• Do not disclose confidential information unless authorised or legally required.

7. Governance and Trustees’ Duties

Trustees have additional responsibilities under UK charity law:

• Act only in accordance with Khalisha Hope’s governing document and charitable purposes.
• Comply with the Charities Act 2011, Charity Commission guidance, and UK law.
• Ensure prudent financial management and stewardship of resources.
• Exercise independent judgement and collective decision-making.
• Avoid conflicts of loyalty and undue influence.

8. Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

• Take reasonable care of your own health, safety, and wellbeing, and that of others.
• Follow risk assessments, travel safety guidance, and local security protocols in Sierra Leone.
• Report accidents, incidents, or unsafe practices immediately.

9. Partnership and Community Relations

• Treat local communities, schools, and delivery partners with respect and as equals.
• Be sensitive to cultural differences while upholding Khalisha Hope’s values.
• Avoid any behaviour that could be seen as exploitative, coercive, or disrespectful.
• Ensure fair treatment of partner organisations, with transparency in funding and expectations.

10. Use of Social Media and Communications

• Represent Khalisha Hope responsibly in all communications.
• Ensure that photos, stories, or case studies are used with informed consent and in line with safeguarding principles.
• Do not share confidential or sensitive information via personal social media.
• Avoid posting content that could damage Khalisha Hope’s reputation or trust with beneficiaries.

11. Breaches of the Code

• Breaches of this Code may result in disciplinary action (for staff), removal from office (for trustees), or termination of engagement (for contractors/consultants).
• Serious breaches involving safeguarding, fraud, or criminality will be referred to the relevant authorities and may trigger a Serious Incident Report to the Charity Commission.

12. Responsibilities

• All trustees and staff must: read, understand, and comply with this Code.
• Managers must ensure teams understand and adhere to the Code.
• The Board of Trustees is responsible for promoting the culture of integrity and accountability that this Code represents.

13. Review

This Code of Conduct will be reviewed every two years, or sooner if legal, regulatory, or operational changes require.