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:: HOME » About the College » Our Approach to Education » Code of Practice for Facilitators
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CODE OF PRACTICE FOR FACILITATORS
The purpose of this Code of Practice is to express the College’s values and approach to education, and to ensure that Findhorn Foundation College courses:
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Are of the highest educational quality
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Are delivered to the highest professional and ethical standards
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Seek to promote, as far as possible, the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of participants, and protect their confidentiality. |
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As part of their contracts of employment, course facilitators sign the following undertaking.
I agree to comply with the following Code of Practice.
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I will ensure that all literature used in marketing the course provides an accurate description of what is being offered so that potential participants can make a responsible choice as to whether or not to attend.
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I will ensure that a clear contract is created at the start of the course between all participants, including the facilitators, regarding norms for the group such as confidentiality, taking personal responsibility for communications and behaviour, mutual support and respect, and so on. I recognise that this is particularly important for courses which may take participants to an emotional or transformational edge. |
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I will make every effort to create a learning community of facilitators and participants in which:
- We all learn from each other
- Interactions occur in the context of group agreements
- We aim for mutual respect and goodwill amongst all parties
- As far as possible communications are honest, clear, appropriate and confidential
- Participants are encouraged to bring any dissatisfaction into the group, so that it can be discussed and, if possible, worked through
- Individuals are encouraged to consider what their aims are for the course, and how they would recognise when these had been achieved.
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I will do what I can to create a safe environment for all participants on all levels - physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and with regard to relationships within the group. I will do my best to maintain an awareness of the situation of each participant, and make myself reasonably available for discussions outside contact hours. If it becomes necessary, I will recommend that a participant consult a doctor, therapist or other relevant practitioner, and/or alert the Foundation’s crisis awareness focaliser.
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I will ensure, to the best of my ability and as appropriate to the subject, that the course:
- Balances the intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual and relationship aspects of education and human development
- Includes time for the group to share together and connect at a spiritual level, as well as time for inner reflection
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Contribute to a better future for our families and communities, and for our planet.
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I will respect the confidentiality of all communications with participants in the group, whilst recognising that there may be occasions on which it is desirable and necessary to share some of what has happened in the group with someone outside the group. Such occasions might include a participant going into personal crisis, a situation arising in the group which I and my co-facilitator cannot hold without assistance, or a complaint about the course.
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I will engage in supervision of my work, either with a qualified supervisor or someone acting in that role who is suitably qualified (this might include peer supervision).
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I undertake to provide participants with an opportunity to give written feedback at the end of the course and to forward a copy of this feedback to the College. With my co-facilitator I will also provide the College with feedback on how the programme went and on the quality of College support.
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In the event of any complaint by a participant which cannot be resolved by discussions with myself and/or the other facilitator, I will inform the participant that there is a formal complaints process available, and refer them to the Principal or Deputy Principal of the College.
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Whilst working for the College and living within or in association with the Findhorn Community:
- I will not use illegal substances
- I will not use alcohol or other legal drugs to the detriment of myself or the course participants, and
- I will not smoke in Foundation buildings except in designated areas.
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The College recognises that the area of sexual relationships between course participants and facilitators is complex and it is not possible to lay down precise rules regarding appropriate behaviour in all circumstances. However, facilitators are, to a greater or lesser extent, invested with power and rank by participants. It is recognised that a number of people who come on our courses may, in some respects, be particularly vulnerable and it is crucial that advantage is not taken of them. We expect facilitators to act from loving kindness and with integrity in their relationships with participants.
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I will maintain a professional approach to issues of sexual relationship with participants in the course when they arise, and will be guided by the following examples of good practice:
- In all cases, I will hold the well-being of the participant and the rest of the group to be paramount.
- I will never take advantage of my rank and power in the group to encourage a sexual relationship with a participant.
- I will never sexually harass any participant in a course, either through overt actions, such as sexual touching, or through suggestive words or behaviour.
- If I am sexually attracted to a participant in the course, or become aware that a participant is sexually attracted to me, to the extent that this attraction may affect our professional relationship in the course, I will inform my co-facilitator, and ensure as far as possible that I have no intimate, private contact with that participant until after the course has ended.
- I will not engage in any form of sexual relationship with a participant during a short course (up to 4 weeks duration) or for at least a one week ‘cooling off’ period afterwards.
- I will not enter such a relationship in at least the first month of a longer training.
- In the case of a participant in a longer training where both the participant and I wish to enter a relationship, I will discuss the issue with my supervisor, to clarify questions of professional good practice and responsibility. I will inform College management of the situation and, if appropriate, arrange for a co-facilitator to hold some aspects of the professional relationship.
- If on discussion it is felt to be appropriate, the group will be informed about the relationship (which will inevitably be having an affect in the group) and I will be willing to engage appropriately with the process around this.
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