Ethics and Professional Conduct Policy
Mindful Academy Solterreno | MBSR training, supervision, courses and retreats
Policy owner | Director of Training [Bodhin Philip Woodward] |
1. Purpose and guiding commitment
Mindful Academy Solterreno (MAS) is committed to a learning culture rooted in mindfulness, integrity, compassion, respect and accountability. This policy sets out how those values inform our decisions, relationships, assessment practices and response to concerns.
Our intention is to create conditions in which trainees, course participants and colleagues can learn with dignity, exercise choice, receive honest feedback and raise concerns without fear of retaliation. Mindfulness is not a substitute for professional boundaries, clear procedures or responsible action.
2. Scope and responsibility
This policy applies to directors, programme leaders, trainers, supervisors, assessors, visiting facilitators, employees, contractors and volunteers acting on behalf of MAS. Trainees and participants are expected to respect the corresponding standards in the applicable Student Code of Conduct.
The Director of Training is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy. All team members share responsibility for bringing concerns to the appropriate person and cooperating with proportionate, fair review.
3. Ethical principles
Integrity and honesty: represent qualifications, experience, professional status, course recognition and limitations accurately; communicate expectations, fees and assessment criteria clearly.
Respect and inclusion: uphold the dignity of people across differences in identity, background, culture, language, belief, ability and lived experience; challenge discriminatory behaviour.
Compassion and non-harming: take reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable physical and psychological risks, respond sensitively to distress and respect individual choice.
Professional boundaries: use positions of authority responsibly; avoid exploitative, coercive, sexualised or otherwise inappropriate relationships and behaviour.
Confidentiality and privacy: handle personal disclosures and records carefully, sharing only where justified by consent, safeguarding needs or applicable law.
Accountability and learning: seek feedback, acknowledge mistakes, address conflicts and continually improve through practice, supervision and reflective review.
4. Safety, choice and trauma-sensitive facilitation
Facilitators support participants to adapt, pause, opt out of or change practices where helpful. We avoid pressuring participants to disclose personal experiences, to undertake physical movements or to engage in inquiry beyond their capacity or willingness.
MAS training is educational and experiential; it does not constitute diagnosis, psychotherapy or medical treatment. Where a concern falls outside a facilitator’s competence, the facilitator should discuss appropriate referral to qualified professional support. Any urgent concern is managed through the applicable safeguarding or emergency procedure.
5. Trainer–trainee relationships and conflicts of interest
Power differences can arise in mentoring, supervision, residential retreats, evaluation and certification. Team members will maintain clear boundaries; avoid preferential treatment, gifts or private arrangements that could compromise impartiality; and declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
Where a conflict may affect assessment or a complaint, the Director of Training should consider recusal, reassignment or an independent reviewer. If the Director is personally involved, the matter should be referred to an alternative suitably independent person.
6. Fair access, participation and assessment
Entry requirements, course participation expectations and pathways to certification should be explained in advance and applied consistently, while allowing reasonable adjustments where feasible and appropriate.
Feedback should be specific, respectful, evidence-informed and oriented toward development. Assessment decisions should be based on published criteria, including applicable MBI:TAC-related observations, rather than personal preference. Where standards are not yet met, participants should receive a clear explanation of relevant development needs and available next steps.
Individuals must describe their status accurately: completion of an individual training level is not equivalent to Qualified or Certified MBSR status. MAS uses the progression outlined in its training pathway and Student Code of Conduct.
7. Confidentiality, recordings and use of materials
Personal stories shared in groups, supervision and inquiry should be treated respectfully and not repeated outside their intended setting except with permission or where protection or legal obligations require disclosure.
Audio/video recording, photography, testimonials and sharing of participant contact details should follow an appropriate lawful basis, clear advance information and applicable consent processes. Access to recordings and assessment material should be restricted, secure and time-limited according to the approved data-protection arrangements.
MAS manuals, session plans and training materials are to be used in accordance with the organisation’s published intellectual-property and materials-use guidelines. Attribution to original authors and sources is expected.
8. Ethical concerns, complaints and safeguarding
Anyone may raise an ethical concern, including concerns about discrimination, misconduct, misuse of authority, assessment fairness or confidentiality. Concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively, impartially and without retaliation.
Ordinary complaints are handled under the published MAS Grievance Procedure. Its formal route is to the Director of Training at m.a.solterreno@gmail.com, with acknowledgement within three working days. Immediate safety concerns should be escalated promptly through safeguarding/emergency arrangements rather than delayed for an informal conversation.
Information is shared only with those who need it to respond fairly and safely; confidentiality cannot be promised absolutely. Outcomes may include clarification, mediation where appropriate, further supervision, adjustments, corrective action, referral or removal from a role, in accordance with applicable contracts and law.
9. Professional development and oversight
MAS encourages ongoing personal mindfulness practice, appropriate silent retreat experience, continuing professional development, reflective practice, feedback and supervision relevant to each role. Trainers should work within the limits of their competence and seek additional support where needed.
This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner after a significant incident, material legal change or substantial revision to training arrangements. Any revision should be communicated to those affected.
10. Related documents
Student Code of Conduct and participation/waiver documents (provided before enrolment).
MAS Grievance Procedure: https://mbsr.website/mindful-academy-solterreno-grievance-procedure
MAS Terms and Conditions: https://mbsr.website/terms-and-conditions
MAS Privacy Policy: https://mbsr.website/privacy-policy
MAS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Safeguarding; and Well-being policies [confirm approved versions].
MAS Use of Materials and Intellectual Property guidelines.
