Behaviour Policy

1. Purpose of This Policy

Heroes of Hope UAE Organisation and Events LLC (“Heroes of Hope”) is committed to providing a safe, supportive, inclusive and respectful environment for every athlete, coach, Junior Coach, volunteer, staff member and family member.

This Behaviour Policy sets out how Heroes of Hope will respond when behaviour presents a challenge or creates a risk to the safety or wellbeing of an athlete or another person.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that behaviour is approached consistently, fairly and with dignity, while recognising that individual athletes may communicate and respond to situations in different ways.

2. Our Approach to Behaviour

Heroes of Hope recognises that behaviour may be influenced by a range of individual, communication, sensory, emotional or environmental factors. These may include:

• Communication differences.
• Sensory overload.
• Emotional regulation difficulties.
• Environmental factors.
• Disability or additional support needs.
• Unmet needs.
• Anxiety or distress.
• Changes in routine.
• Difficulty understanding or communicating expectations.
• Physical discomfort or illness.
• Frustration or difficulty communicating.
• Other individual circumstances.

Behaviour that is challenging should not automatically be treated as deliberate misconduct simply because it is difficult to manage or is associated with an athlete’s disability or additional support needs.

Heroes of Hope will seek, wherever reasonably possible, to understand the reason for the behaviour and provide appropriate support before considering punitive or exclusionary measures.

We respond to behaviour with patience, dignity, understanding and appropriate support.

However, inclusion does not mean that unsafe behaviour can be ignored. Where behaviour creates a significant risk of harm to the athlete or others, immediate protective action may be necessary.

3. Violent, Aggressive or Unsafe Behaviour

Violent, aggressive or unsafe behaviour that places an athlete or another person at significant risk must be taken seriously. Examples may include:

• Hitting, kicking, biting, punching or pushing another person.
• Throwing objects where there is a reasonable potential to cause injury.
• Deliberately damaging equipment or property in a way that creates a significant safety risk.
• Threatening or attempting to physically harm another athlete, coach, volunteer, staff member or other member of the Heroes of Hope community.
• Behaviour that creates a significant and immediate risk of the athlete causing serious harm to themselves.
• Other behaviour that presents a significant and immediate risk to the safety of the athlete or another person.

This list is not exhaustive. The response to an incident will depend on the individual circumstances, the level of risk and the needs of those involved.

4. Immediate Response to an Incident

Where an incident occurs, the immediate priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of the athlete and everyone around them.

Coaches and other responsible adults should, where reasonably possible:

• Remain calm.
• Use clear, appropriate and supportive communication.
• Follow the athlete’s known support and safety strategies where appropriate.
• Reduce unnecessary sensory or environmental triggers where reasonably possible.
• Give the athlete appropriate personal space where this can be done safely.
• Remove unnecessary people, equipment or environmental triggers where appropriate.
• Seek additional assistance where required.
• Remove the athlete from the activity or session where necessary to maintain safety.
• Protect other athletes and individuals from immediate harm.
• Contact the parent, guardian or caregiver where appropriate.
• Follow relevant emergency procedures where there is an immediate risk of serious harm.
• Record and report the incident in accordance with Heroes of Hope procedures.

Coaches should avoid confrontation, unnecessary physical contact, shouting, threats or language that could further escalate the situation. The response should be proportionate to the immediate risk.

5. Physical Intervention

Heroes of Hope recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances where immediate physical intervention is necessary to prevent serious harm.

Physical intervention must never be used:

• As punishment.
• As retaliation.
• To humiliate or intimidate an athlete.
• As a substitute for appropriate communication or support.
• For staff or coaches’ convenience.
• To enforce compliance where there is no immediate safety risk.

Any physical intervention must be:

• Necessary to protect the athlete or another person from immediate harm.
• Proportionate to the level of risk.
• Limited to what is reasonably necessary to manage the immediate safety situation.
• Undertaken in accordance with applicable Heroes of Hope procedures and any relevant training or requirements.

Where physical intervention occurs, the incident must be reported and recorded in accordance with Heroes of Hope procedures. The incident should subsequently be reviewed to determine whether additional support, reasonable adjustments or changes to the activity or environment could reduce the likelihood of a similar situation occurring again.

6. Supporting the Athlete

Following an incident, Heroes of Hope will seek to understand what happened and identify appropriate ways to support the athlete. Where reasonably possible, consideration should be given to:

• What happened immediately before the behaviour.
• What the athlete may have been communicating through the behaviour.
• Whether the athlete was experiencing distress, anxiety, sensory overload or frustration.
• Whether communication difficulties contributed to the incident.
• Whether the environment contributed to the behaviour.
• Whether the athlete’s known support strategies were available.
• Whether relevant information was recorded in the Athlete Support Snapshot.
• Whether reasonable adjustments could have been made.
• Whether the activity or coaching approach could be adapted.
• Whether additional supervision or support may be appropriate.

The purpose of this review is not simply to determine what the athlete did, but to understand why the behaviour occurred and how future risk can be reduced.

7. Review Following an Incident

Following a significant behavioural or safety incident, Heroes of Hope will review the circumstances. The review may consider:

• The nature and severity of the behaviour.
• The level of risk created.
• Whether anyone was injured.
• Whether property or equipment was damaged.
• Environmental or sensory factors.
• Communication difficulties or unmet support needs.
• Whether relevant information was available in the Athlete Support Snapshot.
• Whether reasonable adjustments were in place.
• Whether additional support or supervision could reduce future risk.
• Whether similar incidents have occurred previously.
• The individual circumstances, needs and abilities of the athlete.
• Whether the incident raised any safeguarding concerns.

Where appropriate, the athlete’s parent, guardian or caregiver will be involved in the review. The aim is to establish a proportionate and supportive approach that protects the athlete and the wider Heroes of Hope community.

8. Support and Reasonable Adjustments

Where appropriate, Heroes of Hope may introduce additional support or reasonable adjustments to help an athlete participate safely. These may include:

• Reviewing or updating the Athlete Support Snapshot.
• Adapting the activity.
• Modifying the environment.
• Adjusting communication methods.
• Providing additional explanation or preparation.
• Providing appropriate additional supervision.
• Adjusting session structure or routines.
• Providing sensory or environmental adjustments where reasonably possible.
• Developing an individual safety or participation plan.
• Working with the parent, guardian or caregiver to identify appropriate strategies.
• Reviewing how coaches and volunteers respond to known triggers or support needs.

Any adjustments will be considered in light of the athlete’s individual circumstances and the practical requirements of the activity.

9. Temporary Suspension or Restriction

In some circumstances, an athlete may need to be temporarily removed from a particular session, activity, sport or programme where this is necessary to manage an immediate or significant safety risk. Heroes of Hope may:

• Temporarily suspend participation in a particular activity.
• Restrict participation in specific activities where a significant safety risk exists.
• Require additional supervision or support before participation resumes.
• Require a review of the Athlete Support Snapshot or safety arrangements.
• Require a meeting with the athlete’s parent, guardian or caregiver.
• Require an appropriate safety or participation plan to be agreed before return.

Any temporary restriction will be considered on an individual basis and should be proportionate to the identified risk. Where reasonably possible, Heroes of Hope will consider whether alternative activities or appropriate adjustments can allow the athlete to remain engaged with the organisation.

10. Permanent Removal from a Programme

Heroes of Hope recognises that permanent removal from a programme is a serious decision.

Where behaviour is severe, repeated or presents an unacceptable ongoing risk that cannot reasonably be managed through appropriate support, reasonable adjustments or other proportionate measures, Heroes of Hope may permanently remove an athlete from a particular programme or activity.

Before making such a decision, Heroes of Hope will, wherever reasonably possible:

• Consider the individual circumstances of the athlete.
• Consider the reasons or triggers associated with the behaviour.
• Review available support strategies.
• Consider reasonable adjustments.
• Consider whether additional supervision or support could reduce the risk.
• Discuss the situation with the athlete’s parent, guardian or caregiver where appropriate.
• Consider whether alternative participation arrangements are reasonably available.

Where immediate safety requires urgent action, protective measures may be taken before a full review can occur. Permanent removal will only be considered where Heroes of Hope determines that the risk cannot reasonably be managed while maintaining a safe environment for the athlete and the wider community.

11. Safeguarding

Behavioural incidents may sometimes raise safeguarding concerns. Where an incident indicates possible:

• Abuse.
• Neglect.
• Exploitation.
• Bullying.
• Harassment.
• Inappropriate treatment.
• Failure to protect an athlete.
• Serious concerns about an athlete’s welfare.
• Other safeguarding concerns.

the matter must be managed in accordance with the Heroes of Hope Safeguarding Policy as well as this Behaviour Policy. Behaviour must never be used as a reason to overlook a potential safeguarding concern.

Where a safeguarding concern exists, the appropriate Heroes of Hope Safeguarding Lead or Management Team must be informed promptly. Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, the relevant emergency or statutory assistance must be contacted where necessary.

Where a concern involves a child or young person, Heroes of Hope will act in accordance with applicable UAE child-protection requirements, including Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 Concerning Child Rights (Wadeema’s Law) where applicable.

12. Recording and Reporting Incidents

Significant behavioural, violent, aggressive or unsafe incidents must be recorded and reported in accordance with Heroes of Hope procedures. Records should, where applicable, include:

• Date, time and location of the incident.
• People involved.
• A factual description of what happened.
• Relevant circumstances or known triggers.
• Actions taken to manage immediate safety.
• Any injuries or property damage.
• Any physical intervention used.
• Who was informed.
• Any safeguarding concerns identified.
• Agreed follow-up actions.
• Any changes to support or safety arrangements.

Records should be factual, objective and free from unnecessary judgement or assumptions about the athlete. Incident records must be stored securely.

13. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Information concerning an athlete’s behaviour, health, disability, medical circumstances, support needs or personal circumstances must be treated as confidential. Information should:

• Be accessed only where there is a legitimate need to know.
• Be shared only with appropriate authorised individuals.
• Be used for legitimate safeguarding, safety, support, operational or legal purposes.
• Be stored securely.
• Not be discussed with other athletes, families or unauthorised persons.
• Not be shared publicly or through social media.

Heroes of Hope will handle personal and sensitive information in accordance with applicable UAE data-protection requirements, including Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Regarding the Protection of Personal Data, as applicable.

Confidentiality must not prevent information from being shared where this is necessary to protect an athlete or another person, comply with safeguarding responsibilities or meet a legal requirement.

14. Working with Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

Heroes of Hope recognises that parents, guardians and caregivers often have valuable knowledge about an athlete’s communication, behaviour, needs and effective support strategies. Where appropriate, Heroes of Hope may work with parents, guardians and caregivers to:

• Understand what may have contributed to an incident.
• Identify known triggers.
• Identify effective communication strategies.
• Review existing support arrangements.
• Consider reasonable adjustments.
• Agree appropriate safety strategies.
• Review the Athlete Support Snapshot.
• Plan for future participation.

Communication should remain respectful, collaborative and focused on the athlete’s safety and wellbeing.

15. Responsibilities of Coaches and Staff

Coaches, Junior Coaches, volunteers and staff are expected to:

• Treat athletes with dignity and respect.
• Avoid labelling or judging athletes based solely on behaviour.
• Follow known support strategies and relevant information.
• Use appropriate communication.
• Remain calm when responding to challenging behaviour.
• Prioritise safety.
• Avoid unnecessary confrontation or escalation.
• Follow Heroes of Hope safeguarding procedures.
• Report and record significant incidents appropriately.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Seek assistance when they are unsure how to respond.
• Participate in relevant training and support provided by Heroes of Hope.

No coach, volunteer or staff member should attempt to manage a serious behavioural or safety incident alone where additional assistance is required.

16. Responsibilities of Athletes

Where an athlete is able to understand and participate in the process, Heroes of Hope will encourage them to:

• Follow reasonable safety instructions.
• Treat others with respect.
• Ask for help when they need it.
• Tell a trusted adult when they are upset, uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Use agreed communication or support strategies.
• Participate in discussions about their support where appropriate.

Heroes of Hope recognises that athletes communicate and respond differently and will make reasonable efforts to support each athlete in understanding expectations.

17. Proportionate and Individualised Response

Heroes of Hope will seek to ensure that responses to behaviour are proportionate and based on the individual circumstances of each incident. Factors considered may include:

• The seriousness of the behaviour.
• The immediate level of risk.
• Whether anyone was harmed.
• The athlete’s age and individual circumstances.
• Disability or additional support needs.
• Communication needs.
• Sensory or environmental factors.
• Known triggers.
• Previous incidents.
• Available support strategies.
• Reasonable adjustments that have been considered or implemented.
• Whether the behaviour presents an ongoing safety risk.

The same response will not necessarily be appropriate for every athlete or every incident.

Fairness does not always mean treating everyone identically. It means responding appropriately to individual circumstances while maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

18. Key Principle

Heroes of Hope believes that behaviour is communication and that challenging behaviour may indicate that an athlete is experiencing a need, difficulty or distress that they are unable to communicate in another way.

Our first response should therefore be to ask:

• What is happening?
• Why might this be happening?
• What support does the athlete need?
• How can we keep everyone safe?

At the same time, Heroes of Hope has a responsibility to protect every member of our community from significant harm.

Inclusion does not mean compromising safety. Every athlete has the right to participate in a safe and supportive environment. Every coach, volunteer, staff member and athlete has the right to be protected from physical harm, intimidation and unsafe behaviour.

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains appropriate, effective and consistent with:

• Heroes of Hope safeguarding procedures.
• Heroes of Hope Codes of Conduct.
• Applicable UAE legal and regulatory requirements.
• The needs of Heroes of Hope athletes and community.
• Learning arising from behavioural or safety incidents.

The scheduled review date for this policy is August 2027, or earlier if circumstances, legislation, organisational requirements or significant incidents require an earlier review.