Code of Ethics and Practice
Last updated 28th May 2021
Review date April 2024
Federation of Antenatal Educators – Code of Ethics and Practice for Registrants
Clients and their families must feel they can trust FEDANT registered Antenatal Teachers, Breastfeeding Counsellors and Doulas. To maintain that trust, registrants have a duty to respect all human and animal life and place the wellbeing of the client as their first priority. This Code provides a framework within which antenatal teachers, breastfeeding counsellors and doulas are expected to work, whilst allowing the public to see the criteria used to protect their interests.
The Registrant is required to:
- Respect the client’s individuality and beliefs
- Treat every client with care and consideration
- Respect confidential information
- Ensure that the teacher’s own beliefs do not prejudice the needs of the client
- Recognise the limits of their professional competence and refer on when appropriate
- Work with colleagues in ways that best serve the client’s interests
- Avoid any act or situation that could compromise the dignity or privacy of the client
- Be trustworthy in contacts with other health professionals
- Strive to represent the profession with honesty and integrity
- Be aware of new developments and skills
- Be fully insured to protect both themselves and the client
- Work within the ethical criteria and ethos of the profession
1. ENTRY TO THE FEDERATION OF ANTENATAL EDUCATORS NATIONAL REGISTER
1.1. The Federation of Antenatal Educators Register is a listing of professionally qualified teachers and educationalists in the field of antenatal education.
1.2. Registrant Insurance must include Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and where appropriate Product Liablity. This insurance must be in accordance with the current FEDANT Approved Insurance Scheme.
2. RELATIONS WITH OTHER REGISTRANTS
2.1. This Code provides the basis for a professional working relationship between healthcare professionals in conformity with the requirements of patient/client safety and the law.
2.2. All FEDANT Registrants are required to abide by this Code of Ethics and Practice.
2.3. FEDANT has a procedure to consider claimed infringements of this Code.
3. DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS AND LIMITS OF COMPETENCE
3.1. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to ensure that FEDANT Registrants maintain the highest level of responsibility in their provision of antenatal education.
3.2. FEDANT Registrants must always ensure that the interests of the client are given overriding priority.
3.3. FEDANT Registrants must take all reasonable steps to monitor, develop and advance their professional competence to the highest level and to work within that competence.
3.4. FEDANT Registrants must undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to a minimum value of 20 mapped academic points in any calendar year. CPD may include in-service training, supervision, counselling, research and other consultative support.
3.5. When FEDANT Registrants provide their services without payment of a fee they work under the same professional obligation to the client as when a fee is paid.
3.6. FEDANT Registrants must take all reasonable steps to ensure client safety and conform to health regulations as appropriate to the service provided.
3.7. FEDANT Registrants must be supportive of other health professionals and maintain client confidence at all times, except with the client’s permission to discuss with colleagues when making a formal referral to another qualified health professional.
4. ADVERTISING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1. FEDANT Registrants may advertise their services, exercising care that nothing is said or implied that would discredit antenatal education.
5. PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
5.1. Registrants are advised that they must exercise care in making any public statement and should not present any facts or opinions purporting to represent the views of FEDANT without obtaining written consent from the FEDANT. FEDANT reserves the right to examine any material before giving such consent.
6. DEATH OR RETIREMENT OF A REGISTRANT
6.1. FEDANT Registrants should make arrangements for the correct disposal of confidential records in the event of their death. Executors are advised to contact the British Register for advice.
7. WORKING IN HOSPITALS
7.1. Where the registrant is a Midwife or Nurse, he/she must act within the current guidelines of the Ethics and Standards Committee of the United Kingdom Central Council of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
7.2. Registrants who are not nurses or midwives but who work in hospitals must, at all times, act discreetly and considerately, taking care to consult with staff in charge and to avoid any action or behaviour that could obstruct or conflict with the work of other health professionals.
8. DISCIPLINE AND COMPLAINTS
8.1. The acceptance of this Code is the outward sign that the registrant wish to establish the relationship between themselves and those to whom they have a professional responsibility. The adoption of such a code is designed to establish the probity and competence of the profession in the eyes of the public and resolve complaints in a transparent manner.
8.2. Registrants are required to report any complaints or criminal convictions made against them to FEDANT.
8.3. The Disciplinary Committee for the Federation of Antenatal Educators will be convened to investigate complaints.
8.4. The Disciplinary Committee may determine the fitness or competence of the registrant to remain registered. The person’s name may be removed from the Register if the Committee considers s/he unfit to remain in registration. Such a person may re-apply at a later date for re-registration.
9. INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
9.1. It would not be proper for a Disciplinary Committee to become involved in the merits of matters connected with industrial disputes. However, the Committee will consider any allegation referred to them, irrespective of whether or not the misconduct has arisen during industrial action or any other circumstance.
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