Code of Conduct

At AuDHD UK, we support neurodivergent people through a range of services – including peer support, assessments, therapy referrals, and online information and resources. Whether you’re here as a participant, volunteer, staff member, or peer supporter, this Code of Conduct sets out how we work together to create safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces.

This is about shared responsibility – not rules for the sake of rules – and making sure everyone involved in our work feels heard, protected, and valued.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We Are All Responsible for the Space

Every person – whether receiving or offering support, sharing resources, or coordinating services – plays a part in shaping the tone and safety of our community.

That means:

  • Treating everyone with respect, regardless of background, communication style, or role

  • Being mindful of how our words and actions affect others

  • Offering support with compassion, not judgement

  • Owning our mistakes and learning from them

We build safe spaces together.

💬 Communicate with Care

Good communication is key to building trust. Whether it’s in a WhatsApp message, an email, or a face-to-face conversation, we ask everyone to:

  • Use clear, kind, and inclusive language

  • Avoid sarcasm, tone-policing, or dismissiveness

  • Respect processing time and different communication needs

  • Allow space for silence, emotion, and difference

We aim for understanding, not perfection.

🧭 Know Your Role and Respect Boundaries

Different services involve different roles – and with that comes responsibility. Whether you're facilitating a group, carrying out an assessment, or offering guidance online:

  • Be clear about what your role is (and what it isn’t)

  • Don’t offer advice or support outside your remit or training

  • Respect other people’s boundaries – and your own

  • Be mindful of power dynamics, especially in 1:1 settings

If you’re ever unsure, ask a supervisor or team member. You’re not expected to know everything alone.

🛟 Prioritise Safety

Safety comes before everything else. That includes emotional, psychological, and physical safety.

  • Discrimination, harassment, and bullying will not be tolerated

  • Harmful or triggering content must be handled with care and clear warnings

  • Anyone at risk of harm will be taken seriously – even if it’s just a feeling that something’s not right

  • Safeguarding concerns must be passed on to the right person

We are all here to look out for each other.

🔐 Respect Privacy and Consent

Whether it’s a private conversation, a WhatsApp message, or personal information shared during an assessment or support session, confidentiality and consent matter.

Please:

  • Don’t share other people’s information, stories, or images without clear consent

  • Don’t record calls, forward emails, or screenshot messages without explicit permission

  • Keep your own and others’ data secure

  • Be mindful of who else might see messages or emails, especially in group chats

In safeguarding situations, we may need to share limited information without consent if someone is at immediate risk of harm.

Wherever possible, we will:

  • Explain what we’re sharing, why, and with whom

  • Ask for consent before passing information on

  • Document the decision clearly

Consent is ongoing, and people have the right to change their mind.

📱 Be Thoughtful in Digital Spaces

Most of our services happen online – which means digital safety matters too. Please:

  • Use professional and respectful language, even in casual messages

  • Keep personal and work accounts separate if you’re in a supporting role

  • Don’t message participants privately unless part of an agreed support process

  • Be cautious when responding out-of-hours or from personal devices

We want digital spaces to feel just as safe as in-person ones.

🤝 Treat Everyone with Dignity

Every person who interacts with AuDHD UK – in any capacity – deserves dignity, patience, and understanding.

  • Respect people’s identities, including names, pronouns, and access needs

  • Be open to difference – including in communication, behaviour, and belief

  • Support people to make their own choices wherever possible

  • Never speak over or for someone without their consent

Neurodivergence shows up differently in everyone – we make room for that.

Always check for consent before acting on someone’s behalf – especially in support or safeguarding situations.

🧠 Look After Yourself

Whether you're giving or receiving support, you’re allowed to have limits.

  • Take breaks when needed – even in the middle of a conversation or group

  • Ask for help or supervision if something feels difficult

  • Don’t offer more time or energy than you can sustainably give

  • Be honest if you’re not okay – we want to support you, too

You matter here, and we want you to feel safe and cared for.

📄 If Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes, boundaries get crossed or things don’t go as they should. If that happens:

  • We will listen and take concerns seriously

  • We’ll aim to resolve issues informally where possible

  • In more serious cases, safeguarding procedures may be followed

  • Consequences may include being asked to step back from a role or service – but always with support and clarity

We believe in accountability, not blame.

🌱 This Code Will Grow With Us

As we continue to expand our services and learn from our community, this Code of Conduct will grow and evolve. We review it regularly and welcome your feedback at any time.

Thank you for helping us build something safe, kind, and sustainable – together.

Last updated: 22 April 2025