All TYA Yoga teachers are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Safeguarding:
TYA Code of Ethics and Practice
1. Teachers shall at all times conduct themselves in an honourable manner in their relations with their students and fellow teachers.
- The relationship of the teacher with the student is that of a professional with a student. The student puts trust in the teacher's integrity and it is the duty of the teacher not to abuse this trust in any way. At all times TYA teachers should treat their students with dignity and respect and work within the highest ethical standards.
- Confidential information given to the teacher by the student will not be divulged to a third party unless it is necessary to do so by legal obligation or with the permission of the student.
- Teachers' obligations to their students are governed by the contractual arrangement between them. Teachers agree to use their skills derived from their training and experience with due care and attention to each student in the class. In return the students agree to a set fee or donation. This constitutes a contractual arrangement regardless of whether fee negotiations are done through a third party (for example, Adult Education Authorities or fitness centres). Once this contractual arrangement has been made proper moral conduct must always be paramount in TYA Members' relations with students.
- No teacher of the Association will refuse to accept a student into her/his class on the grounds of ethnicity, gender or gender identification, creed or sexual orientation.
2. Good record-keeping is the responsibility of the teacher.
- It is the responsibility of the teacher to gather such information about the student's health status that is needed in order to determine safe practice. No teacher of the Association is to attempt to gainsay the health-care professionals responsible for the student.
- An accident book should be kept by the teacher if the contractual arrangement is directly between teacher and student, or ensure that there is an accident book on the premises and a report is made of any accident in a class if the arrangement is through a fitness gymnasium or centre or Adult Education Centre.
2. Teachers will pay great attention and care when making physical contact with a student in order to make adjustments to postures.
- Before adjusting a student in a posture or touching them in any way the teacher will seek permission from the student.
- The touch will always be one of guidance and direction and never involve force.
- Teachers will show sensitivity in terms of where on the body of the student contact is made, and touch will be in a place and manner that is appropriate for the necessary adjustment.
3. Teachers will ensure that their classes are managed on a professional basis.
- Teachers should carefully consider what constitutes good professional cleanliness and appearance. Where the place of teaching is part of another complex, teachers will ensure that adequate heating and ventilation are provided.
- Letterheads, leaflets, posters and other stationery relating to teachers' classes should be in professional style and format.
- If the TYA Logo is used, a copy of the document must be sent to the TYA.
4. Members shall not give formal teachers training courses without the written approval of the Traditional Yoga Association.
- The Association will always encourage the free flow of information between teachers and students. Nevertheless, in order to standardize and maintain high levels of tuition it is undesirable that there should be a proliferation of training that does not meet the standards of the Association. Therefore only those Tutors who are accredited by the TYA are permitted to give TYA-certified Teachers Training Courses.
TYA Safeguarding Adults Policy
The Traditional Yoga Association (TYA) believes that everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status.
Safeguarding is everybody's responsibility and the TYA is committed to preventing abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults involved. The organisation will not tolerate the abuse of adults in any of its forms.
The Traditional Yoga Association recognises that there is a legal framework within which the charity needs to work to safeguard adults who have needs for care and support and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures.
Actions taken by the TYA will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding ensuring that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult concerned.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the welfare and protection of any adult who takes part in our activities, to safeguard adults and to ensure that everyone involved in the TYA has access to and is familiar with:
- This policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.
- Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
- Ensure concerns or allegations of abuse are always taken seriously.
- What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult.
Who is an 'Adult at risk'?
In addition to Safeguarding every adult, some adults are deemed more at risk due to physical or mental impairments and require an increased level of care and protection.
For the purposes of this policy, an adult at risk is an adult who:
- Is aged 18 years or more, and
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not these are currently being met)
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- As a result of those is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse of neglect or the risk of it.
Such a definition includes adults with physical, sensory and mental impairments and learning disabilities, however those impairments have arisen, whether present from birth or due to advancing age, chronic illness or injury.
Also included are people with a mental illness, dementia or other memory impairments and people who misuse substances or alcohol.
What is abuse?
Abuse is a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by another person or persons. It can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.
Safeguarding legislation includes the following types of abuse:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Psychological
- Neglect
- Financial
An adult may confide to a TYA Yoga teacher or volunteer that they are experiencing abuse inside or outside the TYA.
Scope
This Safeguarding Adults Policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in the TYA including Trustees, Tutors, Yoga teachers, Volunteers and Members whilst taking part in the TYA's activities and in the wider community.
TYA Yoga Teachers
All TYA Yoga teachers and Tutors are expected to act with integrity and the highest ethical standards when teaching and interacting with their students. Further information can be found in the Code of Ethics and Practice.
Commitments
In order to implement this policy the TYA will ensure that:
- Everyone involved with the TYA is aware of the safeguarding adult procedures and knows what to do and who to contact if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult.
- Ensure concerns or allegations of abuse are always taken seriously, responded to promptly, and followed up in line with the TYA Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.
- The well-being of those at risk of harm will be put first and the adult actively supported to communicate their views and the outcomes they want to achieve. Those views and wishes will be respected and supported unless there are overriding reasons not to.
- Any actions taken will respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and be proportionate to the risk of harm.
Confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored in line with our Data Protection Policy.
Safeguarding leads
All TYA teachers, Tutors, volunteers and Trustees have a responsibility to act on concerns of possible abuse and must inform at least one of the Safeguarding leads.
TYA Safeguarding Leads:
Where a TYA teacher, Tutor, Trustee or volunteer is thought to have committed a criminal offence the police will be informed. If a crime has been witnessed the police should be contacted immediately.
As a charity we recognise that a serious incident or adverse event that results in significant harm to an adult must be reported to the Charity Commission.
Safeguarding Adult Procedures
Responding to an allegation/concern:
The Traditional Yoga Association recognises that it has a duty to act on allegations, reports, or suspicions of abuse or neglect.
Responsibilities of all TYA teachers, volunteers and Trustees
If anyone has reason to believe that abuse is or may be taking place you have a responsibility to act on this information. Doing nothing is not an option.
If a person discloses abuse to you directly, use the following principles to respond to them:
- Assure them that you are taking their concerns seriously
- Do not be judgemental or jump to conclusions
- Listen carefully to what they are telling you and get as full a picture as you can.
- Explain that you have a duty to tell the Safeguarding Officers.
- Reassure the person that they will be involved in decisions about them.
Your responsibilities are:
To take action to keep the person safe if possible.
- Is an urgent police presence required to keep someone safe? If so call 999
- Does the person need urgent medical assistance? If so call 999
Always inform at least one of the Safeguarding leads. You cannot keep this information secret, even if the person asks you to.
Clearly record what you have witnessed or been told, record your responses and any actions taken.