DEARHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY POLICY

Adopted by Dearham Primary School Governing Body

Date by which the procedure was last reviewed: September2017

Anticipated review date: September2018

Equality Act 2010

Our school is committed to equality both as an employer and a service provider. We welcome our general duty under the Equality Act 2010 toeliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. In addition we recognise our specific duties topublish information every yearabout our school population; explain how we have due regard for equality; publish equality objectives which show how we plan to tackle particular inequalities and reduce or remove them.

We recognise our duty to ensure no-one experiences harassment, less favourable treatment or discrimination because of their age, any disability they may have, their ethnicity, colour or national origin, their gender identity or reassignment, their marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or having recently had a baby, their religion or belief, their sexual identity and orientation.

We also welcome our duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote community cohesion and British values.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To prevent the giving of gifts and hospitality being seen to compromise the professional integrity or objectivity of any member of staff or student.
  2. To prevent any actual and/or perceived conflict of interest between Dearham Primary School and any third party.
  3. To enforce a clear, fair and consistent approach to dealing with gifts and/or hospitality.

MONITORING (via Governors’ Finance Committee):

  1. Throughout the academic year the committee will ask to see evidence that Dearham Primary School has a log of gifts and hospitality received by members of staff and governors.
  2. The committee will gain evidence from theBusiness Manager
  3. The chair of the committee will ask to see evidence that the policy is implemented correctly.
  4. The committee will be provided with the findings or any lines of enquiry.
  5. Visit Dearham School to follow lines of enquiry as a result of the committee meeting

REVIEWING

The Governing Body is responsible for reviewing its policies and the Head Teacher is responsible for reporting on the implementation of the policy.

  1. Has the policy been successfully implemented?
  2. Has the policy had the intended impact in Netherhall School and on the young people?
  3. Are the current objectives to remain the same and do they support other policies and development priorities?

NOMINATED MEMBER OF STAFF:

Business Manager

APPENDIX 1

Operating Statement

This outlines the Dearham School’s policy with regard to the receipt of gifts and hospitality by its staff from any third parties arising from duties undertaken on behalf of the School.

The intention of the Policy is to ensure that the School can demonstrate that no undue influence has been applied or could be said to have been applied by any supplier or anyone else dealing with the School. The School should be able to show that all decisions are reached on the basis of value for money and for no other reason.

As a general guideline, business gifts and hospitality should not be accepted by any member of staff or Governor, except as provided for below.

Dearhm School is committed to ensuring that the governance of the School is conducted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity, probity and openness.

Any breach of this Policy could lead to disciplinary action and may constitute serious misconduct.

General Rules

Staff or Governors shall not use their authority or office for personal gain and shall seek to uphold and enhance the standing of the School by:

  • maintaining an unimpeachable standard of honesty and integrity in all their business relationships
  • complying with the letter and spirit of the law in contractual obligations, rejecting any business practice that might be deemed improper
  • at all times in their business relationships, act to maintain the interests and good reputation of the School
  • Dearham School staff must not receive gifts, hospitality or benefits of any kind from a third party which might be seen to compromise their personal judgement or integrity. Staff are asked to immediately report any offer or receipt of such gifts to the Head Teacher or the Business Manager to be recorded in the Register of Gifts and Hospitality.
  • Any employee who becomes aware of a breach of Policy must either report this immediately to his or her manager who will instigate investigations as necessary, or refer to the School’s Whistle Blowing Policy.
  • Any personal interest that may impinge or might reasonably be deemed by others to impinge on an employee's impartiality or conflict with the duty owed to the School in any matter relevant to an employee's duties (such as conflicting business interests) should be declared in writing. Any member of staff or Governor who is aware of any business dealings conferring personal gain, or involving relatives or associates of members of staff must supply details of such transactions to the Business Manager for entry into the Register of Business Interests.

Acceptable Gifts/Hospitality

  • Governors and staff may accept the following gifts/ hospitality without the need to seek the approval of the Dearham School or formally register receipt:
  • courtesy hospitality at business lunches / dinners or attendance in an official capacity at a public function;
  • incidental promotional gifts such as calendars, diaries or pens;.
  • receipt of small items from suppliers or contractors as expressions of gratitude such as boxes of chocolate or individual bottles of drink (at a value of less than £25).
  • Where purchased items include a "free gift", such a gift should be either used for School business or handed to the School to be used at charity raffles, pupil prizes, etc.
  • NB: Care must always be taken to ensure that whenever such gifts / hospitality are accepted no obligation to the person or organisation in question is accepted. In cases of doubt members should consult the Head Teacher or the Business Manager.
  • The following examples of gifts/hospitality require approval and to be formally recorded by the Business Manager in the Register of Gifts and Hospitality:
  • Attendance as a non-paying guest of a commercial organisation or individual at a non-work related cultural or sporting event (at a value of more than £25)
  • Promotional gifts and/or receipt of small items worth in excess of £25
  • Other offers of gifts/ hospitality not falling into any of the above categories.

Unacceptable Gifts/Hospitality

The following are examples of offers of gifts/hospitality which should be refused by staff:

  • Gifts of money (not including donations to the School)
  • Free membership or subscriptions (e.g. sports clubs)
  • Foreign travel unless as a specific element of a business, academic or research activity approved by the School.
  • Free goods, services or equipment which are normally provided by a supplier to the School at a charge
  • Any offers of gifts and hospitality falling into any of the above categories should be reported immediately to the Head Teacher or the Business Manager.

Role of the Business Manager in relation to the Gifts and Hospitality Policy

  • Responsible for ensuring that any offer or receipt of gifts, hospitality or donations to staff is recorded in the School’s Register of Gifts and Hospitality.
  • Reporting any possible conflict of interests arising from the offer or receipt of gifts and or hospitality.