Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre is committed to providing a safe, respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for children, parents, guardians, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors.

This Parent Code of Conduct explains the behaviour expected from parents, guardians, carers, and adults using or visiting the Centre.

The purpose of this Code is to help protect children, support positive relationships, and ensure that communication between families and the Centre remains respectful and constructive.

Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre
Harbour View Road, Hollyhill
Cork T23 T861
Ireland

Phone: +353 (0) 21 439 2300
Email: thefamilycentre2020@gmail.com

1. Purpose of This Code

This Parent Code of Conduct aims to:

• promote respectful communication
• support positive relationships between families and staff
• protect children’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing
• protect the privacy of children, families, and staff
• support a calm and safe environment within the Centre
• explain what behaviour is expected from parents, guardians, carers, and visitors
• explain what behaviour is not acceptable

This Code should be read together with our:

• Child Safeguarding Statement
• Privacy Policy
• Communication & WhatsApp Policy
• Complaints Policy, where applicable
• Parents Handbook, where applicable

2. Respectful Behaviour

Parents, guardians, carers, and visitors are expected to behave respectfully towards:

• children
• parents and guardians
• staff
• students
• volunteers
• visitors
• management
• members of the wider community

We ask all adults to communicate in a calm, polite, and respectful way when speaking with staff, children, other families, or visitors.

The Centre understands that concerns or disagreements may arise. These should be raised appropriately and respectfully, using the correct communication or complaints procedure.

3. Supporting a Positive Environment

Parents and guardians are expected to support the Centre’s positive, inclusive, and child-centred environment.

This includes:

• treating all children and adults with dignity and respect
• supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion
• respecting different family backgrounds, cultures, needs, and experiences
• avoiding gossip or negative discussion about other children, families, or staff
• helping children feel safe, welcome, and respected
• following Centre policies and procedures
• working in partnership with staff in the best interests of the child

4. Communication With Staff

Parents and guardians are encouraged to communicate openly with the Centre.

Day-to-day matters may be discussed with staff at suitable times. However, detailed or sensitive conversations may need to be arranged separately with the Manager, Lead Educator, or relevant staff member.

Parents and guardians should:

• speak respectfully to staff
• choose appropriate times for longer conversations
• avoid raising sensitive matters in front of children
• avoid confronting staff during busy drop-off or collection times
• use official Centre communication channels where possible
• follow the Communication & WhatsApp Policy when using digital communication

5. Raising Concerns or Complaints

If a parent or guardian has a concern, they should raise it directly with the Centre in a respectful and constructive way.

Concerns should not be raised through gossip, public criticism, inappropriate social media posts, or WhatsApp group discussions.

Where a concern cannot be resolved informally, the Centre’s complaints procedure should be followed.

Complaints or serious concerns should be directed to the Manager or the appropriate person in charge.

6. Privacy and Confidentiality

Parents and guardians must respect the privacy and confidentiality of children, families, staff, students, volunteers, and the Centre.

Parents and guardians should not:

• discuss another child’s behaviour, needs, family situation, or personal information
• share private information about another parent, guardian, child, or staff member
• take or share photos or videos of other children without permission
• post images or information about other children on social media
• share private Centre communications outside the appropriate group or context
• use WhatsApp, Facebook, or other platforms to discuss confidential matters

Information about children and families must be treated carefully and respectfully.

7. Photos, Videos, and Social Media

Parents and guardians must not take photos or videos of children at the Centre unless permission has been given.

Photos or videos taken during Centre events must not be shared publicly if they include other children, parents, guardians, staff, or families without permission.

This includes sharing on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• WhatsApp
• Messenger
• email
• websites
• other social media or messaging platforms

The Centre may publish photos or videos only where appropriate consent has been obtained.

8. WhatsApp and Digital Communication

Parents and guardians must use WhatsApp, email, Child Path, text messages, and other digital communication respectfully and appropriately.

WhatsApp groups should not be used for:

• complaints
• arguments
• gossip
• confidential information
• safeguarding concerns
• emergencies
• discussing other children or families
• criticising staff, parents, children, or the Centre
• sharing photos or videos without permission
• offensive, abusive, threatening, or discriminatory messages

Urgent matters should be communicated by phone or in person.

Safeguarding concerns should be raised directly with the Centre’s Designated Liaison Person or through the appropriate safeguarding procedure.

9. Behaviour on the Premises

Parents, guardians, carers, and visitors are expected to behave safely and appropriately while on Centre premises.

This includes:

• following staff instructions where needed
• supervising children in their care before handover and after collection
• using appropriate language
• respecting arrival and collection procedures
• respecting access and security arrangements
• not entering restricted areas without permission
• not bringing pets onto the premises unless specifically agreed
• not smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, or using illegal substances on the premises
• not attending the Centre while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

The safety and wellbeing of children is the priority at all times.

10. Arrival and Collection

Parents and guardians must follow the Centre’s arrival and collection procedures.

This includes:

• bringing children at agreed times
• collecting children on time
• informing the Centre if a child will be absent
• informing the Centre of any change to collection arrangements
• ensuring only authorised persons collect the child
• updating emergency contact details when needed
• communicating clearly with staff about illness, medication, allergies, or other important changes

For safety reasons, collection changes should be communicated directly to the Centre and may need to be verified.

11. Unacceptable Behaviour

The Centre will not accept behaviour that is unsafe, aggressive, abusive, threatening, discriminatory, disruptive, or harmful.

Unacceptable behaviour includes:

• shouting, swearing, or offensive language
• threatening or intimidating behaviour
• aggressive behaviour towards staff, children, parents, guardians, students, volunteers, or visitors
• racist, discriminatory, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise abusive comments
• harassment or bullying
• damaging Centre property
• disrupting the operation of the Centre
• refusing to follow reasonable staff instructions
• attending the Centre while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
• bringing alcohol, illegal substances, or weapons onto the premises
• sending abusive or threatening emails, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, or social media messages
• making defamatory, abusive, or inappropriate comments about the Centre, staff, children, or families online
• sharing confidential information, photos, or videos without permission
• behaviour that may place a child or adult at risk

12. Aggressive or Threatening Behaviour

If a parent, guardian, carer, or visitor behaves aggressively or threatens harm, the Centre may take immediate action to protect children, staff, families, and visitors.

This may include:

• ending the conversation
• asking the person to leave the premises
• restricting access to the Centre
• arranging communication through a specific staff member or method
• contacting An Garda Síochána
• contacting Tusla or another appropriate authority where safeguarding concerns arise
• reviewing the child’s collection or contact arrangements where necessary

The Centre will act proportionately and in line with its safeguarding, health and safety, and legal responsibilities.

13. Safeguarding and Welfare Concerns

Any behaviour that raises a child protection, safeguarding, or welfare concern will be handled under the Centre’s safeguarding procedures.

Parents and guardians should immediately report any safeguarding concern to the Designated Liaison Person or Deputy Designated Liaison Person.

Where there is an immediate risk to a child or adult, emergency services should be contacted without delay.

Emergency Services: 999 / 112

14. Working in Partnership

The Centre values partnership with parents and guardians.

Parents and guardians can support this partnership by:

• sharing relevant information about their child
• informing staff of changes in the child’s health, needs, routine, or family circumstances
• keeping contact and emergency details up to date
• attending meetings where needed
• reading relevant Centre communications
• following policies and procedures
• raising concerns early and respectfully
• supporting the child’s wellbeing, learning, and development

A positive partnership between families and the Centre helps children feel safe, secure, and supported.

15. Breach of This Code

If this Code of Conduct is not followed, the Centre may take appropriate action depending on the seriousness of the situation.

This may include:

• speaking with the parent or guardian
• issuing a reminder of this Code
• arranging a meeting with the Manager
• setting communication boundaries
• restricting use of WhatsApp or other communication channels
• restricting access to certain areas of the premises
• requiring another authorised adult to collect the child
• contacting relevant authorities where necessary
• taking further action in line with Centre procedures

The Centre will always consider the safety, welfare, and best interests of children when responding to any breach of this Code.

16. Review of This Code

This Parent Code of Conduct may be reviewed and updated from time to time to reflect changes in Centre procedures, safeguarding guidance, communication methods, or legal requirements.

The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will be changed when the Code is updated.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Parent Code of Conduct, please contact:

Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre
Harbour View Road, Hollyhill
Cork T23 T861
Ireland

Phone: +353 (0) 21 439 2300
Email: thefamilycentre2020@gmail.com