Conduct and discipline policy

This policy and procedure sets out the Council’s policy on conduct & discipline.

This procedure is applied when an employee’s conduct falls below normal or acceptable standards.

The aim is to help and encourage all employees to achieve and maintain the required standards of conduct and to ensure that the Council is objective, firm, reasonable and consistent in its approach to dealing with employee discipline issues.

This toolkit has been designed to help with the practical management of allegations against staff in the context of the Conduct and Discipline Policy and Procedure.

As well as several specially-created documents, we have also included a selection of historical documents for guidance for each institution to implement a general code of conduct, as well as protocols on other topics such as:

• Anti-harassment and anti-bullying;
• Grievance of employees in schools;
• Whistleblowing;
• Close relationships at work; and
• Substance misuse

This Appendix deals with Managing Concerns or Allegations against Staff working with Children or Adults who have Care and Support Needs, which should always take precedence over the toolkit.

Appendices

Conduct and Discipline Appendix 1 Managing Allegations Against Staff
Appendix 2 Process surrounding Commercial Practices - Gifts, Hospitality, Private Transactions between the Employee and the Council
Appendix 3 Close Personal Relationships
Conduct and Discipline Toolkit
Conduct and Discipline Policy

Model Letters

These model letters can be used by schools during the various stages of a conduct and discipline investigation.

Model Letter A Schools' Conduct and Discipline - Mutual Agreement Final March 2018
Model Letter B Formal Warning Schools' - Mutual Agreement Final March 2018
Model Letter 1 Suspension
Model Letter 2 Extension of Suspension
Model Letter 3 Misconduct Advice of Allegations
Model Letter 4 Invite to Investigation Interview
Model Letter 5 No Formal Action Return to Work
Model Letter 6 Allegations now Misconduct Return to Work
Model Letter 7 Invite to Hearing
Model Letter 8 Employee Response to Invite
Model Letter 9 Investigating Officer inviting witness to hearing
Model Letter 10 Outcome of Hearing
Model Letter 11 Acknowledge Appeal has been lodged
Model Letter 12 Invite to Appeal
Model Letter 13 Outcome of Appeal March 2018

Schools Internal Investigation Templates

Interview Template
Advice on Taking Forward Investigations and Next Steps
Internal Investigating Officer Report Template Revised

Code of conduct

The code of conduct aims to ensure the highest standards of conduct and will assist employees in performing their duties to the best of their ability.

The Toolkit aims to provide more detail on how the guidance should be implemented.

Anti-harassment and anti-bullying

This policy sets out the Council’s Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying at Work Policy and provides a structured mechanism for employees to raise any concerns.

The Council recognises the damage that harassment and bullying can cause to the health and welfare of employees and the responsibilities of the employer’s duty of care.

The Council seeks to promote a culture of fairness, ensuring that all employees respect each other and work in harmony to achieve the aims and goals of the organisation.

The Toolkit for Line Managers and Employees has been designed to interpret the Anti-Harassment and Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedures.

It aims to provide more detail on how the policy should be implemented and to guide Line Managers through the process.

Appendices

Anti-Harassment & Anti-bullying Policy (2023)
Anti-Harassment & Anti-bullying Toolkit - April 2020

Grievance of employees in schools

This policy and procedure sets out the Council's policy on grievance and provides a structured mechanism for employees to raise concerns related to their employment. The aim is to resolve grievances as quickly and as close to the point of origin as possible in an equitable way, which does not hinder the provision of an effective and efficient service delivery.

The Toolkit for Line Managers and Employees has been designed to interpret the Grievance Policy and Procedure. It aims to provide more detail on how the policy should be implemented and to guide Line Managers and employees through the process.

Appendices

Grievance policy and procedure for schools employees
Grievance toolkit for schools employees

Whistleblowing

The Council is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of service and ethical standards in public life.

This policy and procedure sets out the Council’s whistleblowing policy and encourages employees/workers to not overlook concerns they may have but to raise those concerns within the Council through a supportive network.

The policy forms part of the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption strategy and provides a structured mechanism for employees/workers to raise any serious concerns about any aspect of the Council’s work without the risk of any subsequent detriment or disadvantage.

This policy is in addition to the Council’s Complaints and Grievance Procedures. It does not form part of the disciplinary procedures, although disciplinary action may result from the application of this policy.

The Toolkit has been designed to interpret the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure, which should always take precedence over the Toolkit. It aims to provide more detail on how the policy should be implemented and to guideline managers through the process.

The guidance notes contained in the Toolkit are not mandatory but are intended to assist with promoting best practice in managing whistleblowing within the workplace.

Appendices

Whistleblowing policy
Whistleblowing toolkit

Close relationships at work

Guidance on close relationships at work for managers and employees.

Appendices

Close Relationships at Work