Code of Conduct for Knuckle Down Coaches

Knuckle Down is trusted by schools, parents and young people because of the standards our coaches uphold. This Code of Conduct sets out what's expected of everyone delivering Knuckle Down sessions.

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Core Responsibilities

• Complete Knuckle Down's coach induction and safeguarding training before delivering any session.

• Hold a valid Enhanced DBS check at all times.

• Confirm session details with the host school in advance and follow the agreed programme structure.

• Share ground rules with each group at the start of a programme.

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Support Young People Within Your Role

• Use coaching — focus, discipline, confidence — to help young people build self-regulation and positive habits.

• Where a young person's needs go beyond what boxing coaching can offer (for example, signs of a mental health difficulty, family problems, or safeguarding concerns), refer this to the school's pastoral team or Designated Safeguarding Lead rather than trying to address it yourself.

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Respect Every Young Person

• Treat every participant with care, patience and fairness, regardless of behaviour, background or ability.

• Be mindful of differences in race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexuality and gender identity, and never make a young person feel singled out because of who they are.

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Act with Integrity

• Act honestly and consistently with Knuckle Down's mission and values, on and off the pads.

Keep Learning

• Stay current with coaching technique and safeguarding practice, and engage with Knuckle Down's training and CPD opportunities.

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Confidentiality

• Respect a young person's privacy. Don't share what a young person tells you with others outside the session — unless not doing so could put that young person, or someone else, at risk of harm. In that case, follow Knuckle Down's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and report to the DSL immediately.

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Safeguard Vulnerable Young People

• If a young person appears to be at risk of harm, or you have concerns about their welfare, raise this immediately with the Knuckle Down Designated Safeguarding Lead and the school's own DSL, in line with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

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Avoid Conflicts of Interest

• Never use your position as a coach for personal gain, and stay alert to situations where your judgement could be compromised.

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No Harassment or Exploitation

• Harassment, exploitation, or any relationship with a young person that goes beyond the professional coaching relationship is never acceptable, in or outside of sessions.

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Work as a Team

• Collaborate constructively with fellow coaches, school staff, and other youth organisations working toward the same goal — helping young people thrive.

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Accurate Representation

• Be clear when you're speaking as a private individual versus as a Knuckle Down coach, and only speak to matters within your training and experience.

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Coach Supervision

• Coaches take part in regular supervision (peer and one-to-one) to reflect on sessions and raise any issues.

Session Group Agreements

• Where appropriate, young people help set the ground rules for their group with the coach's guidance, giving them ownership and making the rules more likely to stick. Rules can be revisited as the group develops.

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Session Conduct Expectations

• Coaches take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour, and hold young people to the same standard, encouraging accountability rather than blame.

• Knuckle Down welcomes any young person into a session, regardless of past behaviour — the coaching model is built on the belief that developing focus, discipline and self-belief changes behaviour over time.

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Zero Tolerance

• Threats, intimidation, violence, or possession of drugs or weapons are grounds for immediate removal from a Knuckle Down session, in line with the school's own behaviour policy.

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About the Knuckle Down Approach

• Knuckle Down uses structured, non-contact boxing coaching as an alternative to purely punitive approaches to behaviour. It's built on the understanding that young people — including those showing attention or behavioural difficulties — respond well to a person-centred approach that builds focus, discipline and confidence. Knuckle Down is not designed to treat serious mental health conditions, and coaches refer young people who need that support to the appropriate professionals via the school.