This Agreement has been compiled by The Footprint Connection™ (TFC™) and relates to the terms and conditions for all Practitioners holding certification as a The Footprint Connection™ Reflexology Practitioner.
This Agreement is the professional base standard expected of all Practitioners so as to preserve and enhance the reputation of The Footprint Connection™, as well as to create and maintain a community of Practitioners who align with this work.
This Agreement applies to all Practitioners who are or who become certified as a The Footprint Connection™ Reflexology Practitioner (Level I & II), as certified by The Footprint Connection™.
A Practitioner’s failure to comprehend this Agreement or a Practitioner’s lack of awareness of any element of this Agreement, or applicable legislation, is no defence against a breach of this Agreement. It governs all activities of Members, including activities undertaken online and using social media.
The Footprint Connection™ reserves the right to amend the Agreement as and when it is deemed necessary, including inserting new provisions conferring new obligations on Practitioners. Should such be the case, all Practitioners will be informed of these changes in writing. Should the Practitioner not agree with any new or amended provisions, the Practitioner agrees to indicate this to The Footprint Connection™ within a reasonable time after The Footprint Connection™ has notified the Practitioner of the changes in writing. Subject to the Terms of Agreement below, The Footprint Connection™ ultimately reserves the right to revoke certification should the Practitioner not agree to such new or amended terms.
PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Ethical Principles
1.1 Practitioners must conduct themselves ethically and professionally at all times.
1.2 Practitioners must render their professional services in accordance with the holistic principles for the benefit and wellbeing of their clients.
1.3 Practitioners must do no intentional harm to clients. TFC™ Practitioners must not knowingly undertake any action or treatment that might adversely affect the wellbeing of a client.
1.4 Practitioners are required to stay up to date with professional and current knowledge, skills and attitude of TFC™.
1.5 Practitioners must respect a client’s autonomy, needs, values, culture and vulnerability in the provision of the treatment space and time. The TFC™ reflexology must be provided in a manner that is culturally sensitive to the needs of the client.
1.6 Practitioners must acknowledge the rights of clients and encourage them to make informed choices in relation to their overall health.
1.7 Practitioners must recognise the limitations of the treatment they can provide and refer clients to other appropriate healthcare professionals when necessary.
1.8 Practitioners must treat each client with respect and must not engage in any form of exploitation whether financial, physical, sexual, emotional, religious or for any other reason.
1.9 Practitioners must have a sound understanding of any adverse interactions between the therapies and/or treatment provided or prescribed and any other medications or treatment the client is taking or receiving.
1.10 Practitioners must work within their scope of practice. Practitioners will not attempt to offer work or advice beyond their level of competence or training (e.g. The Footprint Connection or Clearing, if they've only completed the Level I Practitioner - Reflexology Certification, or taking clients through The Spiral journey after completing the Level II Practitioner - The Footprint Connection Certification).
1.11 Practitioners must behave with courtesy, respect, dignity and discretion towards the client, at all times respecting the diversity of individuals and honouring the trust in the therapeutic relationship.
1.12 Should a conflict of interest or bias arise, the Practitioner must declare it to the client, whether the conflict or bias is actual or potential, financial or personal.
1.13 Practitioners should take reasonable steps to ensure that any person to whom they refer a client for treatment has all of the capacities required to provide the care needed, prior to making the referral. Practitioners should also take reasonable steps to ensure that, where the client has been referred to a registered medical practitioner, the treatment for which the client has been referred has been carried out. Practitioners must ensure that all relevant details related to a referral are recorded in the client's clinical record.
1.14 Where a client is incapable of self-determination of their own health care needs, Practitioners must ensure that they effectively involve and inform the parents, next of kin or guardian in administration of care and decisions about the treatment of the client.
1.15 Upon receipt of payment, Practitioners must provide the client with a valid receipt which includes the name of the client, the name of the practitioner who provided the treatment, the date of the treatment, the Practitioners provider number where appropriate, the address and contact details of the clinic, the clinic ABN, details of the service provided, itemised costs and total cost, and applicable GST.
1.16 Practitioners must at all times keep their clinic premises in a well maintained and appropriately clean condition. The premises must be safe, fit for the purpose for which they're intended, and must comply with all applicable legislation. The premises must allow for an effective level of therapy and an appropriate level of privacy.
1.17 The minimum requirements for a professional clinic shall be a separate clinic space for private consultations, a separate waiting area, and hygienic washroom and toilet facilities in accordance with local government requirements for healthcare treatment rooms.
1.18 Practitioners shall not solicit clients from another practice or exploit their relationship as an employee, contractor or lessee of a clinic space with a view to soliciting clients from that practice.
1.19 Practitioners must avoid expressing personal beliefs to people in ways that exploit the person’s vulnerability, are likely to cause them unnecessary distress, or may negatively influence their autonomy in decision-making.
1.20 Practitioners must ensure that clients are aware of their right to make a complaint about any matter related to a potential breach of this Code or any applicable legislation.
1.21 Practitioners must avoid performing any act or creating any impression that could be taken by a reasonable person that the Practitioners holds a professional qualification to which she or he is not entitled.
1.22 Where a Practitioners clinical work regularly brings the practitioner into contact with children, the practitioner must acquire a Working With Children Check clearance (or State or Territory equivalent) before doing so and ensure that this is renewed as required by law.
1.23 The Practitioners must ensure that a current schedule of fees, cancellation policy and/or penalties and any other relevant conditions of their treatment, is displayed in a prominent place in the clinic and/or on the clinic website.
2. Duty of Care
2.1 Prior to commencing an assessment or treatment, the Practitioner must ensure that implied or expressed informed consent, appropriate to that assessment or treatment, has been obtained.
2.2 In providing assessments and treatment to clients, the Practitioner must exercise reasonable skill, competence, diligence and care.
2.3 Practitioners are to conduct their professional practice with reasonable skill and learning. In no way will they misrepresent their level of training, expertise, experience or qualification. Practitioners will recommend clients to seek additional help in the case where a client is in need of further assistance that falls outside of the individual Practitioner’s level of expertise, field of experience, or qualifications.
2.4 Practitioners must not claim or represent that they are able to cure cancer or any other terminal illness. Practitioners must not attempt to dissuade a client from seeking or continuing medical treatment.
2.5 Practitioner must adopt Standard Precautions for the control of infection. It is the Practitioner’s responsibility to be aware of Standard Precautions.
2.6 Practitioners should use reasonable endeavours to assist a client to find other appropriate healthcare services if required.
2.7 Practitioners must advise clients of the possible risks and benefits of any treatment offered and encourage the client to make an informed choice about the treatment.
2.8 Practitioners must advise a client with a notifiable disease to seek immediate medical attention.
2.9 Practitioners must maintain a safe and hygienic practice.
2.10 Practitioners must take appropriate action in response to adverse events.
2.11 Practitioners must communicate and co-operate with colleagues and other health service providers and agencies in the best interests of their clients.
2.12 Practitioners must be aware that as soon as they agree to treat a client, they have a duty of care to that client. Inherent in this is that, in the event that the treatment of the client is interrupted, the Practitioner must take all reasonable steps to ensure continuity of care, and ensure that all relevant details related to this are recorded in the client's clinical record.
2.13 Practitioners must not use, in treatment that they provide, products or devices that do not comply with applicable legislation.
3. Professional Conduct
3.1 Practitioners shall not provide false, misleading or incorrect information or documents, including without limitation, information or documents regarding health fund rebates, to any person or entity.
3.2 Practitioners shall not denigrate any person or entity of the healthcare industry.
3.3 Practitioners shall not engage in any activity, whether written or verbal, that will reflect inaccurately or improperly on Reflexology or Sand Mew the creator.
3.4 Practitioners must not provide treatment or care to clients while under the influence of alcohol or unlawful substances.
3.5 Practitioners who are taking prescribed medication must obtain advice from the prescribing practitioner or dispensing pharmacist of the impact of the medication on their ability to practise and must refrain from treating or caring for clients in circumstances where their capacity is or may be impaired.
3.6 Practitioners offering distance consultations must conduct them in accordance with the TFC™ Online Audio Visual Consultation Policy.
3.7 Practitioners must ensure that they take out and maintain at all times appropriate insurance policies for themselves and their practice (including but not limited to Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance). Members should also be aware of the minimum policy values required for their particular provider status.
3.8 Practitioners must not engage in any activity, or transmit any communication, whether written or verbal, that will bring the modality, other TFC™ qualified therapists or Sand Mew into disrepute.
3.9 Practitioners shall not use titles or descriptions that give the impression that she or he holds qualifications to which she or he is not entitled (see 1.10).
4. Professional Boundaries
4.1 Practitioner’s shall respect the client’s physical/emotional state, and shall not abuse clients through actions, words or silence, nor take advantage of the therapeutic relationship. They consider the client’s comfort zone, and honour the client’s requests as much as possible within personal, professional and ethical limits.
4.2 Practitioner’s acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person and therefore do not unjustly discriminate against clients or fellow practitioners.
4.3 A Practitioner must not engage in a sexual or other inappropriate personal, physical or emotional relationship with a client.
4.4 If in the event that a Practitioner and consulting client should wish to participate in an intimate sexual relationship they must ensure that a reasonable period of time has elapsed since the conclusion of any therapeutic relationship before engaging in an intimate and/or sexual relationship with that former client.
4.5 Any approaches of a sexual nature by a client must be declined and documented in the client’s clinical record.
4.6 Practitioners should be aware of the risks inherent in providing treatment to relatives, friends, employees, employers or anyone else with whom they have a close personal or professional relationship. Such relationships, when combined with therapeutic relationships (otherwise known as "dual relationships") are often associated with a dilution of the quality and effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship.
5. Personal Information and Confidentiality
5.1 Practitioners must comply with all applicable privacy legislation.
5.2 Subject to clause 5.1, Practitioners must keep confidential the information given by a client in the therapeutic relationship to the same level as that expected of a medical physician – patient relationship.
5.3 Practitioners are to maintain up to date, accurate and legible records for each client session that are held securely and not subject to unauthorised access.
5.4 Practitioners must comply with the relevant privacy laws that apply to client’s health information, including (a) the Health Records Act 2001; and (b) the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014; and (c) the Privacy Act 1988 of the Commonwealth, and the Practitioner warrants that they are aware of such laws and understands them.
INSURANCE
Practitioners are responsible for arranging their own appropriate indemnity insurance to cover themselves under this agreement. They can do so via the IICT.
INDEMNITY
The Contractor hereby indemnifies, and agrees to keep indemnified TFC™ and its respective officers, servants, employees and agents, against all losses, liabilities, claims and expenses which arise from:
Any act or omission of the Practitioner in connection with their Certification by TFC™, whether at common law, or for breach of statutory duty, or under any other statute or law;
Any injury or damage suffered by the Practitioner through its practice as a TFC™ & TFC™ Reflexology Practitioner;
Without limiting the above, any act or omission of the Practitioner that causes or contributes to any loss, liability, claim or expense being incurred by The Footprint Connection in connection with the Practitioner.
THERAPEUTIC GUIDELINES
The training manuals and videos of TFC™ Reflexology (and in the case of Level II - TFC™ Clearings, the book ‘Clear Your Shit’) serves as the basic foundational guide for Reflexology, Feet Reading, clearing and Coaching techniques. We have no way of policing how each practitioner utilises the techniques in their own practice – we simply request that Practitioners stick to the basic structures outlined in the training manuals, videos and books.
Subject to the provisions in this agreement relating to Intellectual Property, should the Practitioner wish to use alternative methods to those stipulated in TFC™ modalities, the Practitioner agrees not to use the name “The Footprint Connection”, or a name closely resembling it or including the words “The Footprint Connection”, in reference to the Practitioner’s practice which includes elements of TFC™ modalities, with clients, or to the public at large including in marketing the Practitioner’s practice.
Our request is that Practitioners follow these basic structures:
A Reflexology sequence gets always performed starting from the client's right foot and gets finalised on their left one.
Overall, the structure of a session gets followed according to the practitioner's level of expertise (see The Structure of a Reflexology Session, The Structure of a TFC™ Reflexology Session and The Structure of a TFC™ Online Session):
Level I - Reflexology: specialised Reflexology
Level II - TFC™ Reflexology: specialised Reflexology, FeetReading, Clearing and Coaching
Level II - The Footprint Connection™ : online session: FeetReading, Clearing and Coaching
A manifestation clear runs downwards through the 7 chakras (if applicable).
The 5 bodies are used as an integration method at the end of each clearing component of a session (if applicable).
TFC™ assessment will serve as a checkpoint to ensure each Practitioner can facilitate a session at their level of expertise. This assessment is a requirement to become certified in the modality at Level I (Reflexology) or Level II (The Footprint Connection & TFC™ Reflexology).
If TFC™ has cause for concern that a Practitioner is not practicing in the best interest of their client’s, we will investigate the concerns and may offer coaching and/or retraining.
Practitioners shall seek advice from TFC™ if there is anything about the Reflexology, Feet Reading or clearing techniques they do not understand.
REPUTATION OF THE FOOTPRINT CONNECTION
Practitioners are not to behave in any manner that may bring TFC™ (as a modality or as training organisation) into disrepute, including making claims or statements which may bring TFC™ (as a modality or as training organisation) into disrepute.
Practitioners are permitted to advertise themselves as TFC™ Reflexology or Reflexology Practitioners and associate themselves with TFC™ brand only if their certification is current.
Practitioners are to ensure that any advertising mentioning TFC™ name be ethical in nature. In no way shall any Practitioner make exaggerated or misleading claims in their advertising bearing TFC™ name.
Practitioners shall not offer trainings which include advanced trainings or further learnings of TFC™ modality.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All Practitioners understand that TFC™ Reflexology, FeetReading, somatic Clearing through the body and any clearing skills learned as part of the Advanced Clearing training are formats and modalities, created by TFC™, and the Practitioner acknowledges that they, along with the titles (as registered or unregistered trademarks) belong to TFC™ in the very least in the form of a literary copyright, and acknowledge that such formats, modalities and titles are as represented in the form in TFC™ Training Manuals.
All Practitioners also understand that Clear Your Shit and Manifestation Clears, and Clears that refer directly to the teachings by Dane Tomas are formats and modalities, created by The Spiral Institute, and the Practitioner acknowledges that they, along with the titles (as registered or unregistered trademarks) belong to The Spiral Institute in the very least in the form of a literary copyright, and acknowledge that they need to be clearly referenced and not advertised directly, but only utilised as part of the body of work that is TFC™ Reflexology.
All certified Practitioners are given permission by way of license for the length of their tenure as a TFC™ Practitioner to use the techniques and titles of TFC™ Reflexology commercially and in marketing, and for the ultimate purpose of healing, empowerment and transformation only.
Practitioners shall not create, offer or sell any other forms, versions, adaptations, or ancillary theories or teachings of TFC™ (e.g. Relationship TFC™) without entering into a written agreement with TFC™ giving consent to utilise the creation in this manner.
Practitioners agree to give attribution to TFC™ where appropriate and will not portray themselves as the creator of The Footprint Connection™ Reflexology, Feet Reading, Clearing and Coaching techniques.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
The Footprint Connection™ reserves the right to withhold certification if the terms and conditions of this Agreement are not agreed to.
In the event of a breach of this Agreement, TFC™ will first attempt to resolve the matter through a verbal conversation. TFC™ will communicate the breach and make sure that it is understood. From there an appropriate action will be determined by TFC™ at the sole discretion of TFC™, which may include additional training or support.
In the case that the Agreement is breached a second time, a meeting will be held by the leadership team to discuss the severity of the breach and agree upon an appropriate action (for which the majority of the leadership team need to be in agreement). This may lead to certification being revoked.
TFC™ reserves the right to revoke certification of any Practitioner who refuses to address any concerns TFC™ has notified the Practitioner of regarding non-compliance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
ASSIGNMENT
The Contractor may not assign any of its rights and obligations as a certified Practitioner under this Agreement to any other party, without the consent of TFC™.
APPEALS
In the event that certification is revoked, an appeal may be made to the leadership team through our appeals process.
In the case where a second appeal is made, an independent mediation service will be used, with the cost being split between TFC™ and the Practitioner.
At the commencement of, or within a reasonable time after the commencement of the Practitioner- Client relationship, the Practitioner agrees to make the client aware of how to contact The Footprint Connection™ should a complaint arise.