Codes of Conduct Policy

This code of conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all board members, colleagues, contractors, consultants, and volunteers working for or representing Agamemnon Housing Association (AHA).

It is designed to:

• Support ethical, lawful, and professional behaviour.
• Protect tenants, colleagues, and the reputation of AHA.
• Ensure alignment with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) code of conduct and good practice across the housing sector.
• Align directly with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) consumer standards safety and quality, transparency, influence and accountability, neighbourhood and community, and tenancy.

This code should be read alongside AHA’s policies on ethics, equality and diversity, safeguarding, whistleblowing, data protection, social media, and disciplinary procedures .

The CIH code of conduct sets out expectations for housing professionals to act with professionalism, integrity, accountability, objectivity, and respect.

AHA adopts these principles and requires everyone acting on its behalf to:

• Behave in a way that upholds public trust in housing services.
• Act responsibly, transparently, and in the public interest.
• Maintain professional standards and competence.

AHA will meet and evidence compliance with the RSH consumer standards by embedding the following conduct expectations:

a.   Safety and quality:

• • Put tenants’ safety first, comply with health and safety duties and statutory requirements.
  • Maintain accurate, up to date knowledge of stock condition, ensure timely, effective repairs and planned maintenance.
  • Report and act on building safety concerns promptly.

b.   Transparency, influence and accountability:

• • Treat tenants with fairness and respect, provide clear, accessible information about services, performance and rights.
  • Enable tenants to influence decisions and scrutinise services, respond to complaints promptly and learn from feedback.
  • Be open with the regulator and other authorities, escalate material issues without delay.

c.   Neighbourhood and community:

• • Work with relevant partners to promote safe, well-maintained neighbourhoods.
  • Prevent and address anti-social behaviour, harassment and hate incidents and support victims appropriately.
  • Consider social, environmental and economic wellbeing in localities where we operate.

d.   Tenancy:

• • Let and manage homes fairly and lawfully, communicate tenancy rights and responsibilities clearly.
  • Support tenancy sustainment and provide appropriate advice when tenancies end
  • Manage allocations transparently and in line with policy.

a.   Professional conduct:

All representatives of AHA must:

• • Act professionally, courteously, and responsibly at all times.
  • Carry out duties with skill, care, and due diligence.
  • Comply with lawful and reasonable instructions.
  • Avoid behaviour that could damage confidence in AHA or the housing profession.

b.   Integrity and honesty:

 We must:

• • Act honestly and not mislead tenants, colleagues, partners, or regulators.
  • Use your position appropriately and never for personal advantage.
  • Declare conflicts of interest promptly and follow mitigation arrangements.
  • Not engage in fraud, corruption, bribery, or improper influence.

c.   Respect, equality, and dignity:

AHA is committed to an inclusive culture. All colleagues must:

• • Treat tenants, colleagues, and partners with dignity and respect.
  • Comply with equality and diversity legislation and policy.
  • Not engage in discrimination, harassment, victimisation, or bullying.
  • Challenge inappropriate behaviour where it occurs.

d.   Tenants and communities:

 When working with tenants and communities, you must:

• • Act in tenants’ best interests and with empathy and care.
  • Communicate clearly, honestly, and respectfully.
  • Respect tenant’s homes, privacy, and personal circumstances.
  • Safeguard vulnerable individuals and report concerns promptly.

e.   Safeguarding and safety:

 We must:

• • Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of tenants and colleagues.
  • Comply with safeguarding policies and duties.
  • Follow health and safety requirements at all times.
  • Report any risk of harm immediately.

f.   Confidentiality and information:

 All colleagues must:

• • Protect confidential, personal, and commercially sensitive information.
  • Comply with data protection legislation and AHA policies.
  • Only access or use information where there is a legitimate business reason.
  • Not misuse information inside or outside the Association.

g.   Use of resources and property:

 We must:

• • Use AHA resources efficiently, responsibly, and only for authorised purposes.
  • Protect AHA assets from loss, damage, or misuse.
  • Ensure financial decisions represent value for money and probity.

h.   Gifts, hospitality, and sponsorship:

To maintain objectivity and public confidence:

• • Gifts or hospitality must not be offered, solicited, or accepted where this could influence, or be seen to influence, decisions.
  • All gifts and hospitality must be declared in line with AHA policy.

i.   Speaking up and whistleblowing:

 AHA encourages openness and accountability. We must:

• • Raise concerns about misconduct, unethical behaviour, or breach of this Code.
  • Do so through the appropriate internal or whistleblowing channels.
  • Not victimise or retaliate against anyone who raises concerns in good faith.

When using social media or online platforms, we must:

• Not share confidential or sensitive information.
• Not post content that could harm tenants, colleagues, or AHA’s reputation.
• Make clear when views are personal and not on behalf of AHA.
• Act in line with AHA’s social media policy.

All colleagues must:

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory standards.
• Follow AHA policies, procedures, and codes.
• Cooperate with audits, investigations, and regulatory reviews.

Those in leadership roles must:

• Lead by example and promote a culture of integrity and respect.
• Ensure decisions are transparent, evidence based, and in the public interest.
• Manage conflicts of interest effectively.
• Support colleagues to raise concerns safely.

Where colleagues are individual members of the CIH, they must, in addition to the above:

• Uphold the CIH Code of Conduct and CIH Professional Standards in all professional activities.
• Maintain continuing professional development (CPD) and keep professional knowledge current.
• Demonstrate integrity, objectivity, accountability, respect and inclusivity in decision making and behaviour.
• Declare to CIH any serious breach of this Code or other conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute and cooperate with any CIH investigation.
• Avoid conflicts between CIH obligations and Association duties, where conflicts arise, seek guidance promptly and act transparently. Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in both AHA disciplinary action and separate CIH professional conduct proceedings.

• Breaches of this Code may result in disciplinary action, termination of contract, or removal from office.
• Serious misconduct may be reported to regulators, professional bodies (including CIH), or external agencies.

This Code of Conduct will be:

• Reviewed regularly to reflect legal, regulatory, and CIH requirements.
• Supported through training, induction, and ongoing professional development.
• Monitored against the RSH Consumer Standards, including learning from complaints, audits, tenant scrutiny, and regulator feedback.

All individuals working for or representing AHA are expected to understand and comply with this Code of Conduct and to act in a manner that maintains trust in our Association and the wider housing profession.