BSoM Code of Ethics & Professional Standards

The British School of Meditation (BSoM) asserts its intellectual right as the creator and provider of the BSoM Meditation Teacher Training Courses, accredited by The Open College Network South West Region Limited, trading as AptEd, to apply the following ethical principles and professional standards of practice for all BSoM members.

The British School of Meditation (BSoM) holds unique permission rights for qualified students to add 'Meditation Teacher (BSoM)' after their name. These rights are solely reserved for BSoM registered students who qualify through the British School of Meditation training programmes, have duly obtained a BSoM Diploma certificate, and retain registered membership of the British School of Meditation Network.  

Qualified BSoM Meditation Teachers will have the option to promote business contact details on the (National) BSoM Network Meditation Teachers Register, to gain local and national public awareness of their professional status and aid individual marketing. It costs £100.00 a year to be on the online Register and promote your classes and workshops. Written consent will be required from members to release their business contact details only, for the sole purpose of the above Register.  

Any information collected about students attending BSoM Meditation teaching courses, and BSoM Network Registered members, remains strictly confidential within the British School of Meditation, as in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
No personal information is disclosed to third parties.

Qualified BSoM Meditation Teachers may teach Meditation classes to groups or individuals, as specified in training, with professional regard for the BSoM Code of Ethics and highest standards at all times.

The BSoM Diploma does not qualify Meditation Teachers to train others to teach meditation.

BSoM course Students may not teach meditation to members of the public until a relevant qualification is received in writing.

Members of the public attending classes, retreats or private sessions, herewith referred to as ' Students'
Qualified Meditation Teachers herewith referred to as ' Teachers'   

Teachers are personally responsible for the following:

1. Work competently as a Meditation Teacher to a professional standard that is expected of all BSoM members to preserve, protect and enhance their own reputation, and that of the British School of Meditation and its members.
2. Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and self, at all times.
3. Not have criminal record.
4. Treat all people with equal respect and consideration at all times, without judgement or discrimination.
5. Display or provide evidence of relevant qualifications and experience in teaching meditation.  
6. Display or provide evidence of appropriate professional liability insurance cover.
7. Personal and medical information of students must be kept locked, and remain strictly confidential. No personal information is disclosed to any third party unless a student gives consent to disclose specific information, or is a danger to themselves or others.
8. Confidentiality* must be observed at all times on personal matters disclosed by students and other BSoM members during training sessions and group discussions.
9. Collect students' fees and maintain accurate, confidential records.
10. BSoM Members are responsible for their own Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and personal daily Meditation practice.
11. Ensure that the relationship between Teachers and Students remain highly professional at all times, and act accordingly. Sexual relationships are inappropriate and teachers must cease to teach the student involved.
12. Additional child related qualifications and skills training may be required before a BSoM Meditation Teacher may be qualified in teaching meditation to children.
13. In the event that fully qualified teachers are permitted to work with children, both parents or main legal guardian must give written permission, and be present as an observer at all times, with access to stored information on their child.
14. School groups must remain on school premises, seek written permission from either parents or main legal guardian of children involved, and provide adequate staff/ child ratios to supervise the children constantly during meditation sessions.
15. All BSoM Teachers working with children or vulnerable adults must provide a current valid certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and regularly update, as required by law. 
16. When hiring public and community venues for group classes, it is vital to check and adhere to the rules and regulations of the building. This includes signing in and out registers, familiarise everyone with fire exits and evacuation assembly point before meditation sessions begin, and a legal duty towards RIDDOR which consists of reporting any accidents or incidents on site, possible building dangers and any known contagious diseases on site.
17. Any person representing themselves as a BSoM member who does not have current registration will be dealt with through appropriate legal channels.
18. Grievances will be dealt with by way of Grievance procedures (available by request from BSoM)
19. In the first instance, grievances between Students and Teachers must be brought to the Teachers attention, discussed professionally and reasonably to reach a mutual positive outcome. In the event of a dispute between fellow students, the said members should make every effort to resolve differences.
20. All Teachers must clearly distinguish between statements and actions made as private individuals, and as Teachers or members of the British School of Meditation.

*Exceptional circumstances may prevent the meditation teacher  from seeking client consent to a breach of confidence due to the urgency and seriousness of the situation, for example, preventing the client causing serious harm to self or others. In such circumstances the teacher has an ethical responsibility to act in ways which balance the client's right to confidentiality against the need to communicate with others. Practitioners should expect to be ethically accountable for any breach of confidentiality.