The CODE OF ETHICS OF THE COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH PRACTITIONERS in the FINDHORN & FORRES AREA
(revised version June 2017)
This group is also a member of the New Findhorn Association’s Forum of Organisations and adheres to their Ethical Principles. See new.findhorn.cc for details.
Aim:
The aim of this code is to serve the best interests of clients, practitioners and the community. Its purpose is to bring clarity and awareness into our complementary health and healing services.
In case of illness we strongly recommend that you see your doctor first before making arrangements with any other practitioner.
Complementary Health Practitioners:
Practitioners from many different backgrounds are gathered with the common purpose of ensuring quality of health and healing services.
Some of the practitioners have completed a professional training in the area of services offered and maintain a professional practice. They usually
a) are registered members of a professional body
b) have access to on-going professional support and supervision
c) have professional indemnity insurance.
They are committed to discussing their training and professional background (incl. insurance and supervision) openly and at anytime it is requested.
Others are lay practitioners with a reasonable degree of experience yet who may or may not have trained extensively in the area of service they provide. They offer the service of nourishment and relaxation as a measure of health maintenance. This is an important part of the local culture and a positive way of maintaining health and offering care and support within the community. Their services should not include any medical treatment, diagnosis, any administration of drugs or remedies (allopathic, homeopathic or herbal) - with the exception of the external application of commonly used preparations for massage and flower essences etc. They should not include deep emotional work as the main focus of their practice. These healing services are not considered as a professional practice. The lay practitioners are committed to discussing their training and experience openly and at anytime it is requested. The information supplied in the directories and entries on our web site www.findhornpractitioners.co.uk should be sufficient to determine the levels of a practitioner’s experience and training.
We strongly advise clients to seek all the information they need to make a responsible choice for their needs regarding the service offered and the practitioner’s skill and experience, as well as taking responsibility during any treatment to make sure that they are completely satisfied with the service received.
The Code:
The Code of Ethics describes the basic ethical principles that all the members of the Complementary Health Practitioners group agree to and commit themselves to. It offers the inspiration of a joint commitment to excellence as well as the security of a complaints procedure to the client. The multi-disciplinary group monitors the Code of Ethics. These principles still apply if we are offering training, supervision or support, in groups or individually.
The individual practitioner's Code of Ethics supersedes the Code of Ethics of this practitioners group. For example in the case of body based therapies the Code of Ethics of the professional body the practitioner is registered with, will inform the way in which touch is directed in a session.
Ethical Principles:
The Therapeutic Relationship Between Practitioner and Client:
1. We acknowledge that the relationship between practitioner and client is a special one and must serve the best interests of the client. A good working relationship is an essential part of effective treatment. The practitioner carries certain responsibilities and any exploitation of this position or oppression of the client is unethical. Sexual activity between practitioner and client within this relationship is totally inappropriate and unethical. Affectionate gestures, such as hugging, may be used in a sensitive way and only when acceptable to both parties. We will ensure that satisfaction of our emotional needs does not intrude on the relationship.
2. The clients dignity and integrity must be respected at all times. We affirm the client’s right of self-determination. One goal of our work is to enhance his or her progress in the direction of self-responsibility. The client always has the right to refuse or terminate anything proposed or undertaken by the practitioner. We make this explicit at the beginning of the relationship.
3. The practitioner and client make a mutually acceptable clear contract which addresses precisely and openly the questions of fees, time involved, frequency and number of sessions, technique of treatment, limits and ground rules, confidentiality, availability of follow-up, referrals etc, as appropriate. We make available to the client the Codes of Ethics and Practice we work under. The same applies to the contract between teacher and student for those practitioners also offering workshops and training.
4. We recognise that there can be a duality of roles wherein a possible conflict of interests may occur. Wherever this is applicable it will be discussed openly before any treatment starts. It is our responsibility to make boundaries explicit and clear. We retain the right not to work with certain people but not in a way that results in unfair discrimination.
Confidentiality and Records:
5. The relationship and all knowledge of the client is treated as confidential by the practitioner and may only be disclosed with the client’s specific consent or - if there is a clear evidence of probable serious danger - to the client or others. For supervision, research, teaching and publication purposes the identity of the client must be concealed.
6. We keep records of the sessions in a confidential and appropriate way and our records about the client should be available for their inspection.
Practitioner’s Support and Further Education:
7. Each practitioner carefully monitors the limits of their own competence and confines their work within these limits. We commit to getting extra support and supervision as required.
8. We commit ourselves to:
a) maintain and extend our knowledge and skills appropriate to our
practice;
b) getting extra support and supervision as required.
c) pursue our personal growth, spiritual practice and the fulfilment
of our personal needs outside our complementary health practice.
Advertising:
9. Advertising will be confined to descriptive statements about services available and details of methods and qualifications, without comparative evaluation or extravagant claims about the efficacy of our practise method.
Complaints Procedure:
10. In the case of any complaint, this should be first addressed directly to the practitioner and/or then to their professional association. If this is not possible or doesn't lead to a satisfactory result, the client may contact an Ethics Contact Person (Chloe Argyris 07810 783428; Haseena Hassan 07984 063579; Owen Okie 07542 051070) who will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint. The Contact Person will then inform the practitioner and, if the complainant decides to take the complaint forward and provide the required information (see www.findhornpractitioners.co.uk), arrange a meeting with the practitioner and the complainant (if agreeable). Additional persons are welcomed to this meeting to facilitate the process or support any of the people involved.
If either party is still not satisfied an appeal may be brought before a Practitioners Ethics Committee which will be convened from amongst group members. The role of the Committee is to support high standards of practice amongst group members in any suitable way. The Committee will also decide whether to inform the professional organisation of the practitioner involved.
Until a formal complaint is cleared the status of the practitioner as a member of the group will be on hold. This relates to membership of this group only, no other areas are affected.
Records will be kept on all complaints and any action that was taken.
Complaints Questionnaire
(these are questions you are likely to be asked when you want to make a complaint)
What are your name and contact details?
What is the name of the practitioner you want to make the complaint against?
When and where did the session take place?
Was this a formal professional session (rather than an informal conversation, spontaneous first aid procedure or other more informal help)?
What is your specific complaint?
Have you spoken to the practitioner about your complaint?
Have you contacted the practitioners professional organisation?
Do you agree to a facilitated meeting with the practitioner?
Please note that the practitioner will be notified of your complaint. If you do not wish to give any further information to the ethics person or the practitioner this will limit how we can take your complaint forward.
