We would like every user of the Everybody’s Business E-Learning Resource to agree to a Group Agreement upon registration regarding conduct and general guidelines for the site in general and particularly the forums. Please read the below and tick the box on the site registration page.

Respect each other. We think it's important to acknowledge and respect differences between people. There will be many differences in the group that use the site-some are obvious such as age, race and whether we're women or men – but there will be other less obvious differences. Although we hope to establish an atmosphere that is supportive and helps participants learn from each other, we must also feel able to challenge one another if we feel others are being unfair towards us, or others in the group – or towards any group of people in general. This includes any prejudice expressed by the e-mentors as your facilitator.

Trust and Confidentiality. In order for people to share their experiences and views openly and feel able to challenge unfair assumptions made about them, they need to feel that others will listen to them and respect their perspectives. It is also important to agree that confidential information will not be carried outside the group in a form that would identify the person who shared it. It will help if everyone feels able to say as much or as little about themselves as they choose and that they feel as comfortable and as safe as possible in this group.

Encourage each other. Encouragement is basic to promoting co-operation, self-confidence, commitment, growth and development. We might all agree that the children and families we work with need our encouragement, but it is important to remember that everyone needs encouragement throughout life. When we try new things, we may feel uncomfortable or even be afraid that we'll "get it wrong" or "make fools of ourselves". It may be useful to remember that the person who makes mistakes is the person who gets involved and tries new things!

Give everyone a chance to speak. We intend that a part of your learning should be from other members of the group in the forum, since each one of you has knowledge and experience to share. We will accomplish most if we share the time we have together. If we
sense that some of us are doing most of the talking and monopolising the time, we can check by asking "What seems to be keeping the group from making more progress?"

Be responsible for getting your needs met. In order to ensure that we get as much as possible from our time using the resource, each of us must take responsibility for our own actions, for becoming involved and contributing constructively. A basic principle of work with children and families is that each person is responsible for change in her or his own behaviour. For example, parents must be willing to change if they expect their children to change. Similarly we will be asking: "What can you do to change the situation you’re in?"

Be willing to experiment. You will face new ideas. They will mean more if you try them out for yourself. If you are open to them, they can help you try new approaches or make any changes in your practice you hope to make.