Community Guidelines
and Code of Conduct

Code Institute Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct

Our Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct reflect our dedication to creating an inclusive, respectful, and safe space for all members. 

By joining our community, you agree to abide by these guidelines, which are designed to protect our community and ensure it remains a positive, productive, professional and secure environment for learning and collaboration.

Where these Guidelines apply

These Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct apply to all Code Institute community spaces, including but not limited to our learning platforms, discussion forums, email groups, live classes and webinars, in-person events, and our online community platforms such as our Discord server (“Code Institute Community Platforms”). The same standards of behaviour apply wherever you are representing yourself as a Code Institute learner, alumni, mentor, or team member.

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 An important note on Safeguarding and Security 

Please be sure to familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding Policy and related policies and procedures. 

If you have any safeguarding concerns or are aware of any security risks – including suspected harassment, self-harm, abuse, radicalisation or extremism – please report them immediately using our confidential Safeguarding Referral Form or reach out to our Safeguarding Team (details below). Our Safeguarding Team is available during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (UK/Irish time).

Please remember that this community is not an emergency or crisis service. If there is any immediate danger to yourself or others, please contact your nearest emergency services without delay.

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QuickStart Guide

We’ve created this QuickStart Guide for your convenience, but all community members are required to review these Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct in full before participating in any Code Institute Community Platform. 

We’re committed to building a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members. By participating in our community, you agree to follow these key principles:

Respect and Inclusivity: Engage with empathy and respect for all backgrounds and perspectives. Avoid offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate language.

Seek Consent for Direct Messages: Always ask for permission in a public channel before sending direct (private) messages to others.

Stay On-Topic and Maintain Professionalism: Focus on learning-related discussions. Personal attacks, spam, and requests for personal or sensitive information are not allowed. Avoid cross-posting and keep discussions relevant.

Privacy, Security, and Safeguarding: Respect privacy by not sharing others’ personal information without consent. Be vigilant in reporting suspicious activities or safeguarding concerns, including harassment and extremism.

Harassment-Free Environment: Harassment, bullying, extremism, and discriminatory behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.

No Soliciting: Our community is for collaborative learning and professional networking, not for personal promotions or solicitations.

Read, respect and review all policies and procedures: Community members must adhere to all Code Institute Policies and Procedures, as well as those of our partners or other relevant third parties,  including but not limited to these Guidelines and Code of Conduct, our Safeguarding Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and our Privacy Policy. 

Platform-Appropriate Behaviour: Use our platforms, including Discord, responsibly. Follow channel descriptions, avoid disruptive tagging (e.g. unnecessary @everyone or @here mentions), and respect moderator decisions to move, edit, and/or remove content.

Violations may result in restricted access or removal from the platform – please see below for further details. Help us create a positive, supportive community where everyone can grow and succeed.

If you are ever unsure whether something is appropriate, err on the side of caution and ask the Community Team at community@codeinstitute.net before posting. For detailed guidelines, disciplinary measures, and reporting options, please review the complete Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct. below.

Community Do’s and Don’t’s

✅DO Communicate Respectfully: Use respectful, kind, and empathetic language. Consider diverse perspectives and experiences. Choose display names, profile pictures, and status messages that are appropriate for a professional and educational environment. Avoid images or text that are explicit, violent, discriminatory, or could reasonably cause distress.	❌ DON’T DM Anyone without consent:  Do not send unsolicited direct (private) messages.  Always get explicit permission by asking in a public channel before sending a DM. If someone asks you to stop messaging them, you must stop immediately and respect their boundaries.
✅DO Stay Focused on Coding and Learning: Keep conversations and shared content related to coding, careers in tech, and learning objectives. Use the appropriate channel or space for your topic (e.g. support channels for code help, careers channels for employability discussions, social channels for light chat where available).	❌DON’T Engage in Harassment, Bullying, Extremism or Discrimination: Any form of  harassment, stalking, intimidation, extremism or discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.
✅DO Promote Inclusivity and Safeguarding: Actively support a positive and inclusive community where all members feel safe, valued, and respected. Follow safeguarding principles, ensuring no one feels threatened or excluded	❌DON’T Share Harmful, Extremist, or Inappropriate Content:  Do not post anything offensive, extremist, illegal, or irrelevant to the community. Content promoting radicalisation or harmful ideologies will result in immediate action.
✅DO Report Safeguarding, Prevent, and Policy Violations: Be vigilant and report any behaviour that raises concerns – including harassment, cyberbullying, hate speech, extremist or radicalising content, or threats of harm to self or others – via our Safeguarding Referral Form. Do not attempt to investigate or resolve serious safeguarding issues yourself.	❌DON’T Spam or Cross-Post Content: Refrain from spamming or posting the same message across multiple channels. This includes irrelevant or distracting content that does not contribute positively.
✅DO Protect Privacy, Security, and Online Safety: Respect the privacy of others by not sharing confidential or personal information without consent. Be cautious with external links and downloads, report suspicious activity or potential security concerns.	❌DON’T Solicit for Personal Gain or Promote Unrelated Content: Avoid using the community to promote products, services, or fundraising efforts for personal gain. Focus on contributing to learning and collaboration instead.

 On Discord specifically:

– Do not add other learners to private group DMs without their consent.

– Do not pressure anyone to move conversations to other platforms (e.g. WhatsApp, personal social media).

– If you receive an unwanted or inappropriate DM, you can block the user on Discord and report it to community@codeinstitute.net or via the Safeguarding Referral Form.

Policy Statement

Code Institute values the integration of digital and face-to-face communities in enhancing our students’ educational experience. Community engagement – whether online or in person – fosters vital communication, collaboration, and peer support.

To ensure these interactions remain positive and secure, we have established guidelines governing the safe and responsible use of all Code Institute Community Platforms, including our Discord server, learning environments, live sessions, and in-person events. This policy defines clear expectations and safeguards for community participation, supporting a respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environment.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear framework for responsible and safe participation in Code Institute Community Platforms. It aims to foster a positive learning environment, promote wellbeing, and protect the safety of all participants.

Safeguarding as a Core Value

Safeguarding is at the heart of our community. We understand the unique challenges and risks presented by digital platforms, including the potential for harassment, cyberbullying, data breaches, exposure to harmful content and to risks associated with radicalisation and extremism specific to areas in which you live and work. As such, safeguarding within our community is not just about compliance with policies; it’s a core value that influences our actions, interactions, and the measures we put in place to ensure a safe online environment for everyone.

For further information on Safeguarding at Code Institute, please see our Safeguarding Policy.

Guidelines and Code of Conduct

By participating in the Code Institute Community, you agree to abide by the following::

Respectful Communication: Treat all members with respect, kindness, and empathy. Be mindful of your language and tone, avoiding offensive, discriminatory, or derogatory remarks. Respect the diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of fellow community members.

Fostering Inclusivity: Welcome and support individuals of all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability. Create an atmosphere that encourages open dialogue and diverse opinions.

Appropriate Content and Professionalism: Share content that is relevant to your studies and aligns with the educational and professional goals of Code Institute. Engaging in personal attacks, trolling, or spamming will not be tolerated. Do not share or request personal or sensitive information (such as home addresses, phone numbers, financial information, or personal social media) without explicit consent and a clear, legitimate purpose.

Posting inappropriate, offensive, extremist, or illegal content is strictly prohibited. Any content that may be seen as a violation of our Safeguarding and PREVENT Policies – including content supporting or promoting illegal activity, radicalisation, or extremism – may result in immediate removal from our Community Platforms and, where appropriate, referral to relevant authorities.Moting illegal activity, radicalisation or extremism will result in immediate action and possible referral to appropriate authorities.

Academic Integrity: Learners must adhere to the principles of academic integrity when participating in the community. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of dishonesty is strictly prohibited.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and confidentiality of fellow community members. Do not share or disclose any private information or conversations without permission. Report any potential breaches of privacy to the community moderators.

Cybersecurity: Learners should exercise caution when clicking on links, downloading files, or interacting with unknown entities on any platform. Reporting any suspicious activity or security concerns is mandatory.

No Harassment: Harassment of any kind is not tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome comments, stalking, intimidation, unsolicited direct messages, repeated contact after someone has asked you to stop, or any form of discrimination. This also includes language or behaviour that could be perceived as promoting radical or extremist ideas.

Harassment can occur in public channels, private messages, voice channels, or off-platform where the connection arose through Code Institute. If you experience or witness harassment, please report it to the Community Team or via the Safeguarding Referral Form.

Use Appropriate Language: Refrain from using language or content that is offensive, explicit, or inappropriate for a professional setting. Maintain a respectful and inclusive tone in all communications within the community.

Use of Channels, Voice, and Screen Sharing (including Discord):

Use each channel for its stated purpose; avoid derailing learning or support channels with off-topic chat.

– In voice channels, be mindful of background noise, language, and behaviour. Do not play loud or disruptive audio.

– Only share your screen if you are comfortable that no sensitive or personal information is visible (for example, email inboxes, personal chats, or financial information).

– Do not share or display explicit, violent, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate content when screen-sharing or posting images, GIFs, or links.

No Soliciting: Do not use the community as a platform for soliciting other students for personal gain or crowdfunding purposes. This includes promoting products, services, job opportunities, or seeking financial support. Focus on collaborative learning and mutual support instead.

Community Purpose and Staying on-topic: While we encourage students to express their thoughts and concerns, Code Institute Community Platforms (including Discord) should be used primarily for academic, careers, and community engagement related to coding and learning.

For personal concerns, welfare issues, or situations that require individual support, please contact our Student Care Team at studentcare@codeinstitute.net, who are better placed to provide appropriate support, advice or signposting. .

Seek Consent: Obtain explicit consent before sharing or using any content (messages, files, or media) created by other community members. Respect intellectual property rights and give credit where it is due.

Report Violations: Any community member who becomes aware of a violation of this policy should promptly report it to Community team by emailing community@codeinstitute.net Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to encourage open communication and address concerns promptly via this form [LINK]. 

Enforcement and Consequences of Violations 

Code Institute reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to violations of this code of conduct. This may include issuing warnings, temporary or permanent removal from the community, or other measures as deemed necessary. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions, ranging from warnings to suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity and frequency of the violations.

Community Platform Deactivation & Restriction 

Code Institute reserves the right to restrict or deactivate your account on Code Institute Community Platforms – including, but not limited to, our Discord server, learning platforms, and event spaces – at any time, where this is deemed necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the community.

A restricted account may be limited to specific channels (for example, assigned class or learning support channels), or may have reduced functionality (for example, read-only access or removal of voice/DM privileges). Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On Discord specifically, moderators may also:

– remove or edit messages that breach these Guidelines

– temporarily mute users in channels or voice

– move posts to a more appropriate channel

– revoke roles or permissions where necessary for safety.

In line with this policy, Code Institute also reserves the right to restrict your attendance at in-person and/or online community events. 

Reasons for restriction of an account may include, but are not limited to: 

• Violation of any of the terms in our Community Guidelines, Safeguarding and PREVENT Policies, Acceptable Use Policy, Learner Code of Conduct, and/or any other Code Institute Policies and Procedures. 
• Engaging in behavior that could compromise the safety or well-being of other students, staff, or community members, including actions that may be perceived as promoting radicalisation, extremist views, or harmful ideologies, in line with our Safeguarding and Prevent responsibilities.
• Unacceptable levels of distraction/disruption of any kind to other students, staff and community members.
• Spamming, including cross posting the same content between multiple channels
• Repeated or deliberate offensive, discriminatory, or harmful interactions with other community members, staff, alumni, or external parties. This includes harassment, intimidation, or actions that violate the principles of respect, inclusivity, and safeguarding.
• Persistent messaging or activities that are unrelated to coding, coding careers, or community objectives, including content deemed inappropriate, harmful, or that does not contribute positively to the learning environment. This includes any behavior that poses a risk to the safeguarding and protection of the community, such as exposure to harmful content or attempts to engage others in illegal, extremist, or inappropriate activities.

Disciplinary Outcomes:

Please note that below are indications of probable course of action only, and Code Institute may amend these as it sees fit. 

Disciplinary procedures will be decided by Code Institute at our discretion and as we see fit. 

The following is a brief of what might be expected from typical disciplinary outcomes:  

You will be notified of each infringement of the Code of Conduct. We will explain what section has been infringed, citing the specific behaviour and the resultant outcome.

• – 1st outcome: Your access to one or more Code Institute Community Platforms (for example, Discord) may be restricted for a period of 2 days.
  – 2nd outcome: Your access to one or more Code Institute Community Platforms may be restricted for a period of 10 days.
  – 3rd and subsequent outcomes: Your access may be restricted for a period of 30 days or longer, with the possibility of indefinite removal from some or all platforms.

In serious cases – including significant safeguarding concerns or criminal behaviour – Code Institute may bypass these stages and take immediate action, including permanent removal and/or formal referral under our Safeguarding and Prevent responsibilities.

If we find that your behaviour in the community is inappropriate, but it does not fall under a section stated in the Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct, your behaviour will be reviewed by Code Institute, and action may be taken as Code Institute deems appropriate. This may include a disciplinary outcome, or a “pre-warning”, notifying you of the inappropriate behaviour. 

The Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct will be periodically reviewed and updated as Code Institute sees fit and disciplinary procedures and processes may be updated and changed at any time. .

Please note that Code Institute may increase the period of restriction as it sees fit and that violations may at any time result in your indefinite removal from community platforms, spaces or in-person events. 

The definitions of various subjective terms such as “discriminatory” or “inappropriate” will be decided at the sole discretion of Code Institute.

Support Systems and Reporting Mechanisms

Safeguarding Reporting Form

To report any safeguarding concerns or incidents, you can utilise our Safeguarding Referral Form. 

This form allows you to submit reports anonymously or with contact information, ensuring confidentiality while addressing any issues promptly and effectively. Alternatively, you can contact us via safeguarding@codeinstitute.net

Please note that this is not a 24-hour response service. If you require immediate assistance or are in an emergency situation, contact local emergency services or a relevant helpline

Safeguarding Leads

Alternatively, you can contact our designated Safeguarding Team directly on our dedicated email address safeguarding@codeinstitute.net

You can also reach out to our Safeguarding Leads individually

• Jeantelle van Niekerk – jeantelle.vanniekerk@codeinstitute.net 
• Paul O’Riordan – paul.oriordan@codeinstitute.net 
• Maria McLoughlin– Community and Alumni Manager

Student Care Team

Our student care team is also ready and available to help with any issues, concerns or questions you might have. You can contact them on studentcare@codeinstitute.net

Community Team

Our Community Team can be reached directly at community@codeinstitute.net during normal working hours (UK/Ireland).

Adherence and Fostering a Positive Community Environment

By adhering to this Policy, learners contribute to the creation of a positive and secure online independent learning environment. 

Code institute reserves the right to update and amend this policy as needed to adapt to changes in technology or the online learning landscape.

Privacy and Security

Code Institute values the privacy and security of all community members. We are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring a safe online community experience. Code Institute adheres to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) standards to safeguard your information.

For more details on how we handle personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy. 

We also ask all members to review our Acceptable Use Policy to ensure compliance and understanding of the standards for responsible and respectful conduct, both within and beyond the community.

For more details on how we handle personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

We also ask all members to review our Acceptable Use Policy to ensure understanding of the standards for responsible and respectful conduct, both within and beyond the community.

Our third-party platforms (including Discord) also take privacy and security seriously. We encourage you to review the privacy and security information provided by each platform you use and to configure your personal settings (for example, DM permissions and two-factor authentication) to help protect your account.

 You can review ’s Privacy and Security Information to learn more about their data protection measures.