Code of Ethics

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Principle 1:           To consider at all times your first priority and duty the health and well‑being of your client.  Considering the client as a whole person not just as a symptom. Be focussed on your client’s needs.

Principle 2:          To place your professional ability and integrity amongst your primary duties and concerns. Make sure your rooms are clean and you have all the therapeutic equipment needed. Be aware of your own frame of mind when treating; leave your personal problems at your clinic door. The practitioner will only prescribe remedies, nutritional supplements herbs etc. in accordance with her/his training.  Be clear to state any contraindications that your remedies may bring up. Be aware of any medicinal drugs the client is taking.

Principle 3:          To honour and respect the skills of your professional colleagues and uphold your profession and its ongoing traditions. Be prepared to refer the client to another practitioner if you feel you feel you are unable or not the right person to help them.

Principle 4:         To improve your professional knowledge and skills using current research so that the best possible advice and available treatment can be afforded to your client. This work is never offered as a replacement or substitute for conventional medical or behavioural health care treatment, but rather as an ancillary modality. The practitioner will not recommend or advise against any advice the client has received from their doctor or other health care professional.

Principle 5:          To maintain a confidentiality of client information at all times unless a legal duty of disclosure is demanded in a particular case of law. To uphold data protection laws.

Principle 6:         For the protection of all parties, the Homeobotanical Therapist must exercise discretion in sessions with clients who appear to be mentally unstable, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or severely depressed, suicidal, or hallucinating. Homeobotanical Therapists may use their discretion to refuse to treat any client if they suspect the client is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Principle 7:     To uphold acceptable guidelines for practitioner/client relationships, these to be maintained on a professional and treatment basis. Homeobotanical Therapists will keep clear, simple and dated records of all sessions with clients. As with many other ancillary modes of client care, there is no need and no intention to record diagnoses.

When discussing a case with another practitioner maintain confidentiality

Principle 8:         Supervision and CPD (continued professional development) is strongly recommended for ongoing personal development and to discuss difficulties in cases as good working practice.

Principle 9:         A Homeobotanical Practitioner working with anyone under the age of 16 will require the prior approval of their parent or guardian.

Be kind and above all things ‘do no harm’.