AN EXAMPLE OF THE MINIMUM CODE OF CONDUCT FOR AN AFFILIATED THERAPIST/PRACTITIONER.
The minimum standards set out in this Code of Conduct identify appropriate behaviour for Therapists/Practitioners and are intended to protect the public when they are given Complementary Therapies. All Therapists and Practitioners are expected to behave appropriately, take responsibility for their own actions and uphold public confidence in Complementary Therapies. An established set of procedures must be used whenever a complaint about a Therapist or Practitioner needs to be investigated, followed by the possibility of Disciplinary Action if the Code of Conduct has been breached. A Therapist or Practitioner who is the subject of a complaint must co-operate with the investigating body when called upon to do so, making a reasonable attempt to comply with the procedures and time-scales required.
All Therapists and Practitioners must always:-
Seek to improve their own knowledge and abilities.
Be respectful and courteous to others.
Remember that it is a legal requirement that children, up to the age of 16, must be accompanied by an adult.
Ensure that Professional conduct is exercised in all areas of interaction with a client.
Criticising and undermining professional colleagues is unacceptable and unprofessional.
Take responsibility for the relationship they have with their Clients and ensure that the trust placed in them is upheld.
Recognise their own limitations and seek help from those with greater skills and experience where required.
Maintain suitable working conditions where they give treatment and ensure where required, that they are safe and meet local authority regulations.
Have full insurance cover.
Be able to produce details of their professional identification, qualification and insurance when asked for by a client.
Whenever necessary, ascertain that their clients have sought medical advice and advising them where and when it is appropriate to do so.
Always be ready to co-operate with the Medical Profession.
Understand and act within the law as it relates to Specific Complementary Therapies e.g. Consent to Treatment, Child Protection, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Dentistry, Midwifery; The sale of Remedies, Herbs, Medicines, Supplements, Oils etc; and the Treatment of Animals. Also Confidentiality, Access to Clients records and the Data Protection Act.
In the event that a client needs go beyond the Therapists or Practitioners expertise, it is recommended practice to refer them to the relevant Medical or Complementary field.
All Therapists and Practitioners must Never:-
Consume alcohol while teaching, learning or practising a Complementary Therapy.
Use any titles or descriptions for themselves or their treatments that may mislead the public.
Give or offer any other form of treatment or therapy unless they are qualified and insured to do so without first making it clear to their Client and obtaining their clients specific consent.
Give any Complementary Therapy while medically or psychologically unfit to do so.
Give any Complementary Therapy as a Student or Probationer without being accompanied by a qualified Therapist or Practitioner unless they have been specifically authorised to do so and that the client agrees to receive treatment from a Student or Probationer under training.
Falsify documents or Clients notes.
Exploit or Abuse a Client sexually, emotionally or in any other way whatsoever.
Give Treatment when it is not safe or appropriate for the Client the Therapist or Practitioner.
Discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion, political persuasion, age or disability.
BEFORE GIVING TREATMENT, THERAPISTS OR PRACTITIONERS MUST ALWAYS:
Explain to a Client on a first visit how they give the treatment, how it is generally experienced and what the Client may expect with regard to consultations and fees.
Make it clear to a Client with which Complementary Therapy Organisation(s) they are registered with.
Ensure that the owner of an animal has given written confirmation that they have consulted a veterinary surgeon before giving healing to an animal and obtained their consent.
Never guarantee, promise, claim or imply a cure.
If practising Healing never charge a fee for Clients with venereal disease, as it is illegal to make a charge in these circumstances.
AFTER GIVING TREATMENT, THERAPISTS OR PRACTITIONERS MUST ALWAYS:
Keep clear concise notes of healing given to Clients.
Ensure that Client notes are kept in a safe locked place and retained for a minimum of seven years.
Keep confidential any information received from a Client unless it is required by law or is contrary to public interest (for example, there is a risk that Clients may cause harm to themselves, or to others, or have harm caused to them).
CODE OF ETHICS
All affiliated Members and Training Centres are encouraged to improve their existing knowledge and professional skills on an ongoing basis.
Clients/Patients confidentiality shall be respected at all times while also complying with any legal requirements.
Affiliated members of the C.T.A. shall only practice those therapies within their professional qualifications.
Affiliated members of the C.T.A. will practice at all times in a professional and ethical manner.
Affiliated members of the C.T.A. will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development.
Affiliated members of the C.T.A. Should ensure that their workplace and therapy rooms reflect a professional standard, offering a clean, warm, safe environment. It should also be inviting to clients.
THE COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY ASSOCIATION
C
T
A
T
A