| Organisation | 5UP C.I.C |
| Registered address | 13 Raleigh Industrial Park, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 8JF |
| Contact / Responsible Person | Nathan Bendon, nathan@5up.co.uk, 07498 603 242 |
| Policy version | 2026.1 |
| Date approved | 18 May 2026 |
| Next review | 18 May 2028 |
| Review triggers | Changes in legislation or government guidance; requirements from Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership, Sport England or UK Sport; or any significant change or event. |
1. About this Code
This Code of Conduct sets out the behaviour expected of everyone involved in 5UP C.I.C – our staff, coaches, volunteers, board members, participants, and the parents and carers who support them. It works alongside our Safeguarding Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and Safe Practice Policy.
Following this Code is a condition of being part of 5UP C.I.C. By taking part in our activities, working for us or volunteering with us, you agree to act in line with this Code.
2. Our shared values
Everything we do at 5UP C.I.C is built on five values:
• Embracing – everyone is welcome.
• Champion – we work hard to be the best at what we do.
• Solidarity – we stand together as one community.
• Inspiring – we lift each other up.
• Courage – we stand up for what is right.
Living these values is what this Code is all about.
3. Code for staff, coaches and volunteers
If you work or volunteer with 5UP C.I.C, you are in a position of trust. You must:
3.1 Put young people first
• Make the safety, welfare and development of young people your first priority.
• Treat every young person fairly, regardless of background, ability or experience.
• Listen to young people and take their views seriously.
• Speak up if you see anything that worries you, however small.
3.2 Behave professionally
• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to deliver a high-quality session.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the activity.
• Use language that is positive, respectful and free from swearing, sarcasm or put-downs.
• Stay sober and drug-free during 5UP C.I.C activities.
• Do not smoke or vape in front of participants.
3.3 Keep appropriate boundaries
• Avoid being alone with a young person in a closed space. If unavoidable, keep the door open and make sure another adult knows.
• Do not give a young person your personal phone number, email address or social media details.
• Communicate with young people only through approved 5UP C.I.C channels, or through a parent or carer.
• Do not invite a young person to your home or visit theirs except as part of an agreed and supervised 5UP C.I.C activity.
• Do not transport a young person on your own in your vehicle.
• Do not give personal gifts to a young person.
• Never engage in any form of romantic, sexual or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a young person, regardless of their age.
3.4 Physical contact
• Keep physical contact to what is needed to coach the sport safely.
• Explain what you are doing before any physical contact (for example, demonstrating a technique or checking a stance).
• Ask before you make contact and stop if the young person is uncomfortable.
• Avoid any contact that could be misinterpreted.
3.5 Equality and respect
• Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation or background.
• Challenge discriminatory language or behaviour you see or hear.
• Make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can take part fully.
• Welcome new participants and help them settle in.
3.6 Confidentiality
• Keep personal information about participants and colleagues private. Share it only with people who need to know.
• Do not discuss young people's personal circumstances on social media or in public.
• Follow our Data Protection Policy at all times.
3.7 Online conduct
• Use only approved 5UP C.I.C accounts to communicate with participants or post about activities.
• Do not accept friend or follow requests from participants under 18 on your personal accounts.
• Do not post photographs or information that could identify a young person without consent from a parent or carer.
• Remember that anything you post online can affect 5UP C.I.C's reputation. Behave online as you would in person.
3.8 What you must not do
• Use physical force or threats to control behaviour.
• Humiliate, ridicule, shout at or scapegoat a young person.
• Do things for a young person of a personal nature that they can do for themselves.
• Take photographs or video of young people on your personal device.
• Allow concerns to go unreported.
4. Code for participants
If you take part in 5UP C.I.C sessions, you agree to:
4.1 Show up and take part
• Arrive on time, ready to train.
• Bring your own mouthguard, hand wraps and groin protector. We provide gloves.
• Wear suitable training clothing. Remove jewellery before training.
• Let your coach know if you have any injury or medical condition before the session starts.
4.2 Respect others
• Treat coaches, volunteers and other participants with respect at all times.
• Listen to your coach and follow their instructions.
• Welcome new people and help them feel included.
• Use positive language. No swearing, name-calling or put-downs.
• Stand up for others if you see them being bullied or treated unfairly.
4.3 Train safely
• No head contact at any time.
• No sparring between participants. Partner work is technique only, at no more than 50% power.
• Stop straight away if your coach tells you to stop.
• Tell a coach immediately if you feel unwell, are in pain, or see something unsafe.
• Use equipment only as the coach has shown you.
• Put equipment away tidily after you have used it.
4.4 Be honest
• Tell the truth, even when it is difficult.
• Own up if you make a mistake. We will work it out together.
• Tell a coach if you, or someone you know, is being treated badly.
4.5 What you must not do
• Use violence, threats or intimidation against anyone.
• Use language or behaviour that is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise discriminatory.
• Bully another person, in the gym or online.
• Bring drugs, alcohol or weapons to a session.
• Steal or damage equipment.
• Film or photograph other participants without their agreement and a coach's approval.
5. Code for parents and carers
If your young person trains with 5UP C.I.C, you play an important role. We ask that you:
5.1 Support your young person
• Drop off and collect on time. Let us know in advance if someone different will be collecting them.
• Make sure your young person brings the right kit and is ready to train.
• Tell us about any medical condition, injury, or change at home that may affect them.
• Tell us if their contact details or emergency contact change.
5.2 Support our work
• Encourage effort and improvement rather than just winning.
• Speak respectfully about coaches, other participants and other families, in person and online.
• Raise any concern with us early, so we can sort it out together.
• Follow our complaints process if you are unhappy about something – see our Complaints Policy.
5.3 What you should not do
• Coach from the sidelines or contradict instructions a coach has given.
• Use aggressive, threatening or abusive language towards anyone connected with 5UP C.I.C.
• Film or photograph other people's children without their parent's consent.
• Post information or images about 5UP C.I.C sessions online that could identify another young person.
• Try to influence your young person's matched training pairings or treatment by a coach in a way that is unfair to others.
6. Break of the Code
We take the Code seriously. Where someone breaks it, the response will depend on what happened and how serious it was.
6.1 For staff, coaches and volunteers
A break of the Code may lead to:
• An informal conversation about what needs to change.
• A written warning.
• Suspension while the matter is investigated.
• Dismissal or removal from your role.
• Referral to the police, the LADO, or the DBS where the behaviour involves harm to a young person.
6.2 For participants
A break of the Code may lead to:
• A reminder from a coach about expected behaviour.
• Sitting out the rest of the session.
• A meeting with a parent or carer.
• Suspension from the next session, or from sessions for a longer period.
• Permanent exclusion in serious cases.
6.3 For parents and carers
Where a parent or carer breaks the Code, we may:
• Speak with them about what needs to change.
• Ask them to stay away from sessions for a period of time.
• In serious cases, ask them not to attend sessions at all.
• In very serious cases, end our work with their young person.
7. Safeguarding takes precedence
Where a concern relates to the welfare of a child or young person, our Safeguarding Policy takes precedence over this Code. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will be involved and the proper safeguarding procedures will be followed.
8. Raising a concern
If you have a concern about how someone is behaving at 5UP C.I.C:
• Speak to Nathan Bendon, Director and DSL, on 07498 603 242 or nathan@5up.co.uk.
• Use our Complaints Policy if you want to raise a formal complaint.
• Where the concern is about Nathan, or you would prefer to speak to someone else, contact a board member through the 5UP C.I.C website.
• Where the concern is about the welfare of a young person, our Safeguarding Policy explains what to do, including how to contact Birmingham Children's Trust on 0121 303 1888.
9. Review
This Code will be reviewed by 18 May 2028, or sooner if it needs updating.
Approved by: Nathan Bendon, Director and Major Heran, Director from 5UP C.I.C
Date: 18 May 2026