Support for you at congress

Here at the RCN, we take the safety and security of our delegates very seriously. Congress 2023 looks set to be a fantastic week of debate, learning and inspiring speakers. If you have any concerns at any point during Congress, they will be treated professionally and with respect.

Our commitment to you

We’re putting in place the following measures to support you at Congress.

There will be a wellbeing hub on the second floor of the Brighton Centre, which offers:

• a safe space, where you can talk to members of RCN staff if you encounter any challenging situations
• a quiet/prayer room
• access to mental health first aiders
• a counselling room, where you will be able to book in sessions with a qualified counsellor via the RCN staff in the safe space. Bookings are on a first-come first-served basis. We’ll direct you to other counselling services if that is more appropriate.

Staff will always be in the main hall to support and direct you to the wellbeing hub should you need it.

Congress will be supported by appropriate levels of external security staff and venue stewards will be visible around the venue for advice.

We’re not providing free alcohol to attendees at events. Senior RCN staff will be present at these events.

How to report a concern

We actively encourage you to report any concerns in any of the following ways:

• Go to the Congress registration desk
• Email complaints@rcn.org.uk
• Approach any RCN member of staff
• Call the confidential helpline run by the Validium Group, which RCN members and staff have access to. Callers can speak to highly trained staff who can offer support, signpost to resources, and assist with the escalation of formal complaints. You can contact them at: 0800 783 1157.
• Call the 24-hour phone line, provided by the independent organisation Safecall. This will be in place for the whole of the Congress period. You can contact them on 0800 028 2511 to report any concerns and speak to a trained individual at any point. They can also be contacted online via safecall.co.uk/report
• Contact Victim Support Sussex, free of charge, on 0808 168 9274 (Monday -Friday, 9am-5pm)
• Contact the Samaritans on freephone 116 123

Anyone who raises a concern will be kept informed about the action being taken and, where necessary, signposted to further services or the police.

Your commitment as a delegate

Attendees must uphold the best image of nursing. We’re reminding everybody of the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code, our own Code of Conduct and Respect Charter and the Code of Conduct for RCN Events below. There is a zero-tolerance approach to verbal or physical abuse, coercion, sexual harassment, discrimination or any other form of inappropriate behaviour. Please look after each other while you’re here.

We've introduced the below Code of Conduct for RCN Events in response to a recommendation by Bruce Carr KC in his 2022 report into culture of the RCN.

1. Conduct is key to ensuring the safety of all participants as well as the reputation of the RCN. 
 
2. All participants should behave in a courteous and respectful manner towards others at all times in both social and  professional settings at events.  

3. Participants should abide by the RCN Respect Charter and the RCN Code of Conduct. 
 
4. If appropriate participants should also remember their requirement to adhere to the NMC or other professional regulators’ Code of Conduct, the RCN Regulation on Fit and Proper Persons, the RCN Foundation Code of Conduct for Volunteers. Sponsors and exhibitors, if applicable, are reminded of their obligations under the Association of British Pharmaceuticals (ABPI) Code of Practice. 
 
5. The RCN takes a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour, incivilities and poor conduct at its events including:  

• engaging in unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating another person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile or degrading, humiliating or offensive environment
• offensive or undermining comments or non-verbal behaviours related to personal characteristics and lifestyle choices
• excessive consumption of alcohol or other intoxicants leading to professional and appropriate boundaries and behaviours not being maintained
• inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention (physically, verbally or in writing)
• stalking/following including continued communication after a request to cease doing so
• harassing photography or recording
• sustained disruption and noise
• display of sexual or offensive imagery or materials, use of sexualised clothing/uniforms/costumes, use of sexual references. or otherwise creation of a sexualised environment 
• threats or incitements of violence
• publication of confidential or sensitive information about other persons present or not
• consumption or possession of illegal narcotics of any form under any circumstances
• behaviour which compromises health and safety arrangements, putting self and others at risk
• conduct which may seem harmless, well-meant or humorous but which is not taken as such by others and their objections not respected
• deliberate and persistent pressure on staff to “bend rules” or “make exceptions” in policies such as the Expenses policy, for no valid reason

6. Participants who are asked to stop any of the above behaviours (or others not listed) are expected to comply immediately. If they do not, then the actions outlined in the RCN Safety and Conduct at RCN Events policy might be applied. 
 
7. Inappropriate conduct towards venue staff or representatives or members of the public at an RCN event will not be tolerated. Participants should also respect other venues’ own policies in respect of safety and conduct.  
 
8. Behaviour by participants during travel to and from a venue and at site visits is subject to this Code.  
 
Approved by RCN Council April 2023 as part of the Safety and Conduct at RCN Events policy.