Juvenile Justice Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1999

Part XI General Rules Relating To Staff

General duties of members of staff

52.—(1) A member of staff at a centre shall:—

(a) conform to these rules and whatever rules and regulations may be in force in a centre and shall assist and support the manager in maintaining them;

(b) perform his duties conscientiously and shall conduct himself in a proper manner;

(c) obey the lawful instructions of the manager.

(2) A member of staff shall inform the manager immediately of any breach of these rules or any abuse or impropriety which comes to his knowledge.

(3) A member of staff who is dissatisfied with the response to his complaint under paragraph (2) shall have the right to bring his concerns to the attention of the Board or one of its members.

(4) If a member of staff is dissatisfied with the response of the Board to his complaint he shall have the right to bring his concerns to the attention of the Secretary of State.

Contact with children

53.—(1) Every member of staff at a centre shall have responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the rights of children in the centre and he shall ensure that his own conduct is correct and proper at all times.

(2) A member of staff at a centre shall inform the manager, or the medical officer, promptly of a child who appears to be unwell, or whose behaviour or attitude indicates, in the opinion of the member of staff, that he may be suicidal or otherwise require further attention or advice.

(3) Except with the permission of the manager a member of staff shall not take part in a business or pecuniary transaction with, or on behalf of, a child.

(4) Except with the permission of the manager a member of staff shall not bring in or take out, nor attempt to bring in or take out, nor knowingly allow to be brought in or taken out, to or for a child, or deposit in any place with intent that it shall come into the possession of a child, any article or substance whatsoever.

Gratuities

54.—(1) A member of staff shall not receive an unauthorised fee, gratuity or any consideration in connection with his office.

(2) If a member of staff is offered a fee, gratuity or any consideration by any person he will inform the manager.

Contracts

55.  Except with the permission of the Board, a member of staff shall not, directly or indirectly, have any interest in any contract or tender connected with the centre or receive a fee, gratuity or other consideration from any contractor, or from any person tendering, or any other person whatever in connection with any such contract or tender.

Communications with the media, etc

56.—(1) Except with the permission of the Board, a member of staff shall not directly or indirectly communicate to a representative of the press, television or radio or to any other person matters which he has come to know in the course of his duties.

(2) A member of staff shall not, without the permission of the Board or the Secretary of State, publish any matter or make any public statement relating to a child or the administration of a centre or concerning any of the children.