Code of Conduct.
South Asian Heritage Trust expects all those who represent or work with the Trust to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism and respect. This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all trustees, staff, volunteers and partners. It reflects our values of inclusion, cultural pride and community engagement and protects the reputation and mission of the Trust.
The following principles apply to all trustees, staff, volunteers and partners without exception:
- Act with honesty, integrity and transparency at all times
- Treat all individuals with dignity, respect and courtesy
- Uphold the values and mission of South Asian Heritage Trust
- Comply with all relevant laws, regulations and the Trust's policies
- Respect and maintain confidentiality where required
- Declare any conflict of interest promptly and appropriately
- Never use your position or association with the Trust for personal gain
- Report concerns about misconduct or wrongdoing through the appropriate channels
Trustees carry a particular responsibility as the legal guardians of the Trust's mission and assets. In addition to the core principles above, trustees are expected to:
- Act in the best interests of the Trust and its beneficiaries at all times
- Make decisions collectively and support board decisions once made
- Attend and actively contribute to Trustee Board meetings
- Maintain a clear distinction between trustee responsibilities and any operational role
- Complete the Register of Interests and update it as required
- Not act as a trustee if disqualified under charity law
- Ensure the Trust operates within its charitable objects and governing documents
All members of staff are expected to:
- Carry out their responsibilities with care, diligence and professionalism
- Follow all organisational policies and procedures
- Represent the Trust professionally in all public, media and professional contexts
- Raise concerns about conduct, safety or compliance promptly through appropriate channels
- Maintain appropriate boundaries in all working relationships
- Not engage in conduct that could bring the Trust into disrepute
Volunteers are ambassadors for the Trust and are expected to:
- Represent SAHT positively and professionally in all interactions
- Follow the instructions of their named point of contact
- Adhere to agreed schedules and communicate promptly if unable to fulfil a commitment
- Participate in induction and any required training
- Respect the confidentiality of any information they encounter in their role
- Not speak to the media or make public statements on behalf of the Trust without authorisation
Organisations and individuals working in partnership with SAHT are expected to:
- Uphold the values of South Asian Heritage Trust in all collaborative activity
- Respect agreed terms of partnership and not make commitments on the Trust's behalf
- Ensure their own conduct and that of their teams meets the standards set out in this Code
- Raise any concerns about the partnership or the Trust's conduct through appropriate channels
South Asian Heritage Trust does not hold or promote political affiliations. All those associated with the Trust must ensure that their conduct does not associate SAHT with any political party, political campaign or political position, whether through public statements, social media or other means.
The Trust engages with communities across a wide range of faiths and belief systems and makes every effort to treat all faiths with equal respect. No individual associated with the Trust should use their position to promote or favour a particular faith, denomination or belief system on behalf of SAHT.
When using personal social media or communicating publicly, all individuals associated with the Trust should be mindful that their conduct may reflect on SAHT. They should:
- Not post content that could bring the Trust into disrepute
- Not make statements that could be mistaken for the official position of the Trust unless authorised to do so
- Avoid content that is discriminatory, inflammatory or inappropriate in any context
- Not engage in online disputes that associate the Trust with any political or divisive position
When representing SAHT at events, speaking engagements or public functions, all individuals should:
- Present themselves and the Trust professionally
- Speak only within the scope of their agreed role or brief
- Refer media enquiries to the Chief Officer
- Not make commitments on behalf of the Trust without prior authorisation
- Remain impartial on political and faith matters in their representation of the Trust
Any breach of this Code of Conduct will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, removal from a role or termination of a partnership. Concerns about a breach should be raised with the Chief Officer in the first instance. Where the concern involves the Chief Officer, it should be raised directly with the Chair of Trustees.
SAHT is committed to handling all concerns fairly, confidentially and without detriment to those who raise them in good faith.
