Privacy Policy

When a concern arises

Introduction

As access to mindfulness-based approaches (MBA) and compassion teaching in the UK expands, steps to ensure the quality of mindfulness-based and compassion teaching and training are essential if the public is to receive teaching that is safe and effective.

This needs to be supported by a transparent and responsive complaints procedure which deals effectively with concerns expressed about unsafe or poor quality teaching by students, graduates MindfulnessUK.

The MindfulnessUK code of conduct identifies the responsibility of students and graduates to provide mindfulness-based approaches and compassion teaching within a safe and ethical framework where participants welfare is prioritised.

MindfulnessUK adheres to the codes of conduct as set out by BAMBA, the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), the Information Commissioning Office (ICO) and the law.

Purpose of procedure

To provide a framework for handling concerns about students, graduates  and MindfulnessUK.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)

In applying this procedure, students, graduates, MindfulnessUK and their representatives will consider the organisation’s commitment to upholding principles supporting EDI.

MindfulnessUK is committed to championing a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. MindfulnessUK representatives will not discriminate in the application of this procedure in respect of age, disability (including mental health status), race, ethnicity or nationality, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion/belief, marital/partnership status, pregnancy/maternity.

In all cases, full and sensitive consideration will be given to equality and diversity needs/requirements or issues that may exist when implementing this procedure. It is acknowledged that in some cases, the perceived behaviour of individuals may be a reflection of diverse backgrounds and identities and can be subject to misinterpretation. Therefore, judgements regarding an individual’s conduct, capability or performance will always be fully and appropriately informed, which may in some instances, require diversity specific guidance and advice.

Scope of the procedure

The procedure covers 2 key areas:

• Concerns relating to individual students or graduates who are trained through MindfulnessUK.
• Concerns relating to a member of staff or MindfulnessUK as a teacher training organisation

Concerns about the conduct or capability of a student, graduate or MindfulnessUK can come to light in a number of ways, for example:

• Complaints about teaching expressed by participants/trainees
• Concerns expressed by other mindfulness-based teachers, students and
  colleagues
• Information from regulatory bodies, e.g., Nursing and Midwifery Council;
  HCPC
• Concerns expressed by training commissioning bodies, e.g., NHS, Councils

When a concern arises: Actions

Concerns relating to individual students or graduates who are trained through MindfulnessUK.

 Where complaints include reports of criminal behaviour the complainant is advised to seek advice from the police as a matter of priority

• People expressing concerns/complaints should be instructed to put these in writing (i.e. email/letter) to the Senior Partner of MindfulnessUK, Karen Atkinson
• The Senior Partner informs the MindfulnessUK team of the concern/complaint.
• The student/ graduate is informed in writing that a concern has been raised. They are given the opportunity to see any correspondence relating to the concern. However, where complainants wish to preserve anonymity a summary statement containing details of the complaint will be provided.
• The Senior Partner or nominated member of MindfulnessUK investigates the complaint.

The MindfulnessUK Code of Conduct for those teaching mindfulness-based and compassion courses provides an important reference point when considering concerns/complaints. Additional factors for consideration include:

• The accuracy/truthfulness of the complaint
• Whether the complainant has attempted to raise their concerns directly with the tutor/MindfulnessUK and what, if anything, resulted.
• The degree of potential harm arising from the concern/complaint.
• Any mitigating circumstances/factors.

The person investigating the complaint provides a written summary of the complaint and the response of the tutor or MindfulnessUK. This is provided to the complainant and the tutor. This should also include initial/provisional recommendations for action. The complaint summary is disseminated among the MindfulnessUK team, if required, which then collectively decides on subsequent appropriate actions. These may include the following outcomes:

• Complaint not supported – summary written report provided with no
  action recommended.
• Complaint upheld – tutor/MindfulnessUK given recommendations/requirements to address the concern/complaint. This will include identification of complaint-related targets to be met over the next 6-12 months, following which a review of progress will occur. If progress is found during review to be unsatisfactory then
• a) a further period of attempting to improve the area of concern will be suggested and appropriate support from MindfulnessUK provided or
• b) if progress is not made at this point MindfulnessUK will contact either BAMBA, the CPCAB or the student’s/ graduate’s professional body and adhere to their complaints procedures.
• Complaint upheld – in cases where the complaint is sufficiently serious the tutor/ member of staff of MindfulnessUK will go through the staff complaints procedures as set out by law.

Concerns relating to MindfulnessUK as a teacher training organisation

Where complaints include reports of criminal behaviour the complainant is advised to seek advice from the police as a matter of priority

• Students, graduates expressing concerns/complaints should be instructed to put these in writing (i.e. email/letter) to the Senior Partner of MindfulnessUK, Karen Atkinson.
• The Senior Partner informs the member of staff of the concern/complaint.
• The member of staff is given the opportunity to see any correspondence relating to the concern. However, where complainants wish to preserve anonymity a summary statement containing details of the complaint will be provided.
• The Senior Partner or nominated member of MindfulnessUK’s staff investigates the complaint.

The MindfulnessUK Code of Conduct for those teacher training mindfulness-based and compassion courses provides an important reference point when considering concerns/complaints.

Additional factors for consideration include:

• The accuracy/truthfulness of the complaint
• Whether the complainant has attempted to raise their concerns directly with the tutor, MindfulnessUK staff (we recommend this in the first
  instance) and what, if anything, resulted
• The degree of potential harm arising from the concern/complaint.
• Any mitigating circumstances/factors

The person investigating the complaint provides a written summary of the complaint and sends it to both the tutor/ member of staff and complainant.

This should also include initial/provisional recommendations for action.

These may include the following outcomes:

• Complaint not supported – summary written report provided with no
  action recommended.
• Complaint upheld – tutor/ MindfulnessUK given recommendations/requirements to address the concern/complaint. This will include identification of complaint-related targets to be met over the next 6-12 months, following which a review of progress will occur. If progress is found during review to be unsatisfactory then
• a) a further period of attempting to improve the area of concern will be suggested and appropriate support from MindfulnessUK provided or
• b) if progress is not made at this point, either BAMBA or the CPCAB will be informed of the complaint, if appropriate, in writing and adhere to their complaints procedures.

The MindfulnessUK member of staff will be taken through the legal procedures of disciplinary action as set out in law.