Document Owner: Squid Academy Ltd
Version: 1.0
Review Date: Annually

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1. Purpose

Squid Academy is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional working environment for all lecturers, tutors, coaches, assessors, mentors, moderators, and guest speakers. While safeguarding learners remains a priority, Squid also recognizes its responsibility to protect staff from the following:

• Harassment
• Abuse
• Intimidation
• Discrimination
• Threatening behaviour
• False allegations
• Online misconduct
• Unreasonable student or parent behaviour

This policy establishes the standards and protections available to all educational staff engaged by Squid Academy.

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2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Lecturers
• Tutors
• Coaches
• Assessors
• Moderators
• Mentors
• Guest Speakers
• Volunteers
• Contractors
• Employees

The policy applies across the following:

• Virtual classrooms
• Learning Management Systems
• Discord communities
• Coaching sessions
• Assessments
• Competitions
• Workshops
• Parent communications

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3. Professional Respect

All students, parents, guardians, staff, and community members must treat educational staff with professionalism and respect. The Academy will not tolerate behavior that undermines the safety, well-being, or professional reputation of its educators.

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4. Unacceptable Behaviour Towards Staff

The following behavior is prohibited:

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Verbal Abuse

Including:

• Insults
• Personal attacks
• Aggressive language
• Mocking or humiliation
• Offensive remarks

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Harassment

Including:

• Repeated unwanted contact
• Intimidation
• Targeted hostility
• Persistent disruption

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Discrimination

Including discrimination based on:

• Age
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Disability
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Nationality

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Threatening Behaviour

Including:

• Threats of harm
• Threats to employment
• Threats to reputation
• Threats of legal action made maliciously

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Online Abuse

Including:

• Cyberbullying
• Social media attacks
• Harassing messages
• Public shaming
• Sharing personal information

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5. Protection from False Allegations

Squid Academy recognises that false, misleading, or malicious allegations can have serious consequences for staff. Where concerns are raised:

• All allegations will be investigated fairly.
• Staff will be treated with dignity and professionalism.
• No assumptions of guilt will be made.
• Evidence will be gathered objectively.
• Confidentiality will be maintained where possible.

Malicious or knowingly false allegations may result in disciplinary action against the individual making the allegation. This provision does not prevent legitimate complaints or safeguarding concerns from being investigated.

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6. Professional Boundaries

To protect both learners and staff: Staff must:

• Use approved communication platforms.
• Maintain professional language.
• Keep interactions educational in nature.
• Follow safeguarding procedures.
• Document concerns when required.

Staff must not

• Share personal contact information.
• Use private social media for student communication.
• Engage in inappropriate discussions.
• Meet students outside approved educational activities.

Maintaining clear boundaries protects all parties.

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7. Recording and Session Protection

Where legally permitted and operationally appropriate:

• Lessons may be recorded.
• Assessment sessions may be recorded.
• Coaching sessions may be recorded.

Recordings may be used to:

• Resolve disputes.
• Investigate complaints.
• Verify assessment decisions.
• Protect both learners and staff.

Recordings will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy and Data Retention Schedule.

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8. Student Conduct Towards Staff

Students are expected to:

• Follow instructions.
• Communicate respectfully.
• Participate appropriately.
• Refrain from disruptive behavior.
• Respect professional decisions.

Repeated misconduct towards staff may result in:

• Warnings
• Removal from sessions
• Suspension
• Permanent removal from programmes

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9. Parent and Guardian Conduct

Parents and guardians must:

• Communicate respectfully.
• Raise concerns through official channels.
• Allow investigations to be completed before public comment.

The Academy reserves the right to restrict communication where behavior becomes abusive, threatening, or unreasonable.

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10. Social Media Protection

Students, parents, and community members must not:

• Harass staff online.
• Publish defamatory statements.
• Share personal information.
• Encourage harassment campaigns.
• Misrepresent staff communications.

Squid Academy may investigate online behavior that impacts staff well-being or professional reputation.

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11. Wellbeing and Mental Health

Squid Academy recognizes that educational roles can be demanding. The Academy will seek to:

• Promote reasonable workloads.
• Encourage well-being practices.
• Provide support following incidents.
• Maintain respectful workplace culture.
• Address concerns promptly.

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12. Incident Reporting

Staff should report:

• Abuse
• Harassment
• Threats
• Safeguarding concerns
• Inappropriate communications
• False allegations
• Online misconduct

Reports should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible through designated reporting channels.

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13. Investigation Procedures

Reported incidents will be:

• Logged appropriately.
• Investigated fairly.
• Reviewed objectively.
• Handled confidentially where possible.

The Academy may collect:

• Screenshots
• Chat logs
• Email correspondence
• Session recordings
• Witness statements

as part of an investigation.

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14. Disciplinary Action

Where misconduct towards staff is confirmed, Squid Academy may take action, including

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Learners

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent removal

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Community Members

• Removal of access
• Community bans
• Restriction of services

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Parents or Guardians

• Communication restrictions
• Escalation through partner institutions
• Termination of programme participation where necessary

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15. Responsibilities

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Squid Academy

Responsible for:

• Maintaining safe working conditions.
• Investigating incidents fairly.
• Supporting affected staff.
• Enforcing this policy.

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Staff

Responsible for:

• Maintaining professional conduct.
• Following safeguarding procedures.
• Reporting incidents promptly.

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Students and Community Members

Responsible for:

• Treating staff respectfully.
• Following Academy policies.
• Maintaining professional behavior.

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16. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant incident, regulatory change, or organizational requirement.