A code of practice is a set of guidelines which governs the professional conduct of those accredited with The CNMA. This Code of Practice is designed to encourage integrity and responsibility.
All practitioners and training providers must abide by and uphold this Code of Practice.
- Any advertising you undertake in relation to your professional activities must be accurate.
- Advertisements must not be misleading, false, unfair or exaggerated.
- You must not claim that your personal skills, equipment or facilities are better than anyone else’s
Practitioners Must
- Maintain accurate client records and treatment notes
- Behave responsibly in a professional manner at all times
- Be respectful and courteous to each other.
- Keep confidential all that is experienced and shared in their therapy sessions.
- Take responsibility for the relationship they have with their client and fellow practitioners and professionals and ensure that the trust placed in them is upheld.
- Recognize their own limitations and seek help from those with greater skills and experience where required.
- Maintain suitable working conditions and ensure that the environment is safe and meets all statutory regulations.
- Ascertain, whenever necessary, that clients have sought medical advice where appropriate and advising, where appropriate, that they do so.
- Hold professional indemnity/therapy insurance as necessary to work with members of the public.
Practitioners and Training Providers are Forbidden to:
- Use job titles or descriptions of themselves or of the services they offer which are misleading.
- Give or offer any other form of treatment or therapy than that which is stated or agreed with the client in advance.
- Exploit a client in any way whatsoever.
- Discriminate on any grounds including of gender, race, religion, political persuasion, age or disability, or belief.
- Before giving treatments, students and Practitioners must explain to a client how they will give the treatment, how it is generally experienced and what the client may expect.
- Must never diagnose a condition or guarantee, promise, claim, imply a cure unless you are qualified to do so.
Training Providers Must
- Ensure that all lead facilitators hold a recognised qualification for teaching adults in the workplace.
- Operate their training business from within a commercial premises which meets all statutory codes for health & safety.
- Own and operate a Holistic Clinic which is open to the public on a regular basis and offers all therapies being taught.
- Provide printed and bound training manuals for participants to keep
While Working with Clients, Practitioners Must Always
- Behave with decorum, propriety and common decency.
- Respect the client’s wishes at all times.
- Respect the views and beliefs of the client.
- Have an additional adult present when giving a treatment to a child under 16 years of age.
- Never give a medical diagnosis to a client either as a student or as a professional Practitioner.
- Never advise or recommend that a client undergo a particular form of treatment (e.g. an operation or course of drugs) or interfere with the medical advice or treatment which the patient is receiving.
- Always follow instructions in a referral letter from a doctor or medical professional.
- Never have a third party present without the client’s specific consent.
- Keep adequate client records and treatment records sufficient for the treatment(s) provided, stored securely not accessible by the public.
- Comply with GDPR requirements at all times.
Continued Professional Development (CPD)
The best Natural Therapists are always learning and extending their skills and knowledge. As a member of CNMA you undertake to make a commitment to CPD as and when you deem it necessary to further your skills and knowledge.
This learning and spiritual growth may be gained through further experience and education in the field of Natural therapies or any holistic/medical/scientific/musical training that supports your skills as a Natural Therapist.
Suggestions for your CPD
- Staying up to date: It is vital to keep up to date with current developments. Training is one way of doing this, as is regular practice.
- Planning: It is important for the Practitioner to plan their own professional development – this can be done formally through training and informally through activities they arrange themselves.
- Keeping A Professional Portfolio: Keeping a record of all professional/personal development activities. It is a record/journal of what you do that contributes to remaining up to date with developments in your field, and includes both formal and informal learning.
- Client Care & Professionalism: It will lead to the Practitioner being more educated and skilled and thus allows them to provide an improved service.
- Professional Conduct: Professionalism means providing a service that clients’ are willing to put their trust in.
We don’t monitor your CPD as we trust that you are adults in charge of your own life.