What does volunteering as a Climate Ambassador involve?

The role of a Climate Ambassador is more specific than that of a STEM Ambassador in that it involves volunteering to be an enthusiastic and engaged source of support and guidance for nurseries, schools and colleges developing and delivering Climate Action Plans at locations that suit you.

In order to maintain your STEM Ambassador status you must do at least one activity every year. As a Climate Ambassador the expectation is that you do a minimum of one day per year, spread over three activities.

In addition to the expectations detailed in the STEM Ambassador code of conduct, as a volunteer in the Climate Ambassadors programme we expect all volunteers to:

• Not act fraudulently or dishonestly or do anything that brings, or is likely to bring, the Climate Ambassadors Programme into disrepute.
• Under no circumstances use the Climate Ambassadors programme to bring financial advantage to themselves or to any business in which the volunteer may have an interest e.g. by directly selling their own company’s products or services.
• Ensure impartial advice and guidance is given within the best interest of the education setting.

STEM Ambassadors – Volunteer Code of Conduct

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to provide volunteers with guidelines as to their standard of behaviour, responsibilities and best practice in fulfilling their role within the STEM Ambassadors programme. All STEM Ambassadors should ensure that they have read and comply with this Volunteer Code of Conduct.

If you would like to ask any questions about the content of this Volunteer Code of Conduct please contact us by emailing stem-ambassadors@stem.org.uk

What does volunteering as a STEM Ambassador involve?

The role of a STEM Ambassador involves volunteering to be an enthusiastic and engaging role-model to support young people and teachers with STEM activities at locations that suit you. The commitment required is to undertake a minimum of 1 activity every 12 months.

As a volunteer in the STEM Ambassadors programme we expect all volunteers to:

• Complete the steps to becoming an approved STEM Ambassador before you start volunteering
• Be a good role model in behaviour and attitude:
  • Be friendly, courteous and kind at all times
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • Be responsible and accountable in the way you carry out your role
  • Maintain professional boundaries
• Communicate clearly and promptly with STEM Ambassador requestors about activities through the communication function on the platform
• When volunteering in a school or organisation, adhere to their policies, procedures and rules. Listen to staff members and follow their instructions
• Honour volunteering commitments as agreed, except in exceptional circumstances when, where possible, reasonable notice is provided
• Not act fraudulently or dishonestly or do anything that brings, or is likely to bring, the STEM Ambassadors programme or STEM Learning into disrepute
• Not use the STEM Ambassadors programme to bring financial advantage to themselves or to any business in which the volunteer may have an interest e.g. by directly selling their own company’s products or services
• Encourage equal access and fair treatment for all by actively supporting and respecting diversity, equity and inclusion

Safeguarding

We expect all STEM Ambassadors to comply with our safeguarding guidelines. This helps to keep you as a volunteer and any young people participating in an activity safe. Maintaining professional boundaries is crucial when undertaking during your volunteering to avoid situations or behaviour which may constitute poor practice. STEM Ambassadors must:

• Model and promote STEM Learning’s commitment to safeguarding in all aspects of their work and wider conduct, including in the use of social network sites and follow the STEM Ambassadors safeguarding guidelines.
• Understand the essentials of safeguarding whilst the school or youth group is directly responsible for the safeguarding and wellbeing of their young people. STEM Ambassadors have a duty of care, meaning it is your responsibility to report safeguarding concerns if there is a cause for concern.

Health and Safety, and Insurance

We expect all STEM Ambassadors to contribute to a safe volunteering environment and comply with health and safety requirements. You need to discuss and more importantly agree to any health and safety requirements, and any risk assessment procedures with the activity organiser in advance of your volunteering. It is vital that you follow our guidelines to keep everyone safe and for insurance purposes.

STEM Ambassadors may need to contribute to risk assessments if you intend to run a practical activity or host a site visit to your workplace. The completion of the risk assessment is the schools or youth groups responsibility but may require input from the STEM Ambassador.

Approved STEM Ambassadors are insured whilst undertaking activities. If there is a health and safety incident related to a STEM Ambassador activity you have participated in, please contact us stem-ambassadors@stem.org.uk

What happens when the Code of Conduct is not followed?

Failure to abide by the Volunteer Code of Conduct will damage the high professional standing of both STEM Ambassadors and STEM Learning.

Where a STEM Ambassador is alleged or suspected to have failed to abide by the Volunteer Code of Conduct this may result in an investigation into the allegations being carried out. The result of this process could be that the STEM Ambassador is removed

from volunteering activities under the STEM Ambassador programme either for a fixed period or indefinitely. During any such process:

• STEM Learning will undertake an appropriate fact-finding exercise
• The subject of the allegations will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before a decision is made about what action, if any, should be taken
• Any action taken will be notified to the volunteer in writing