As exercise professionals, INWA Trainers and Instructors add considerable value to the physical health of their clients. It is also important that Trainers and Instructors behave in an appropriate and professional manner and practise a high degree of ethical behaviour when dealing with clients.
Accordingly, all INWA Trainers and Instructors must abide by the standards set out in the INWA Code of Ethical Practice.
1. Privacy
- Information provided during interactions with clients shall be protected. That is:
- All information relating to clients shall be safeguarded.
- The Trainer/Instructor will only disclose information to other professionals when required and only with the full permission of the client.
- The Trainer/Instructor will exercise discretion in conversations with clients.
2. Relationships
To ensure that a professional relationship is established and maintained at all times:
- The Trainer/Instructor shall, while working with the client, maintain a professional approach, regardless of the nature of any other relationship that they have with the client
- The Trainer/Instructor shall not use sexual innuendo or humour, inappropriate terms or gestures or any form of sexual contact whilst working with a client.
3. Standards
A Trainer/Instructor shall abide by the following standards:
- Every person, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, culture, sexual orientation, religion, politics, health status or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity, as equals, and with the right to participate in exercise or other physical activity.
- The Trainer/Instructor shall maintain the safety of the client at all times.
- All physical contact with the clients shall be done with the client’s full consent. When there is a requirement to touch the client, explicit permission is obtained before touching.
- The number of sessions to be undertaken, the cost of the training, the terms of payment and any other commercial or financial obligations on the client shall be fully disclosed before training commences.
- Any physical limitations and the ability of the clients shall be identified, understood and respected.
- The Trainer/Instructor shall acknowledge the limits of their competencies and knowledge. When the client’s needs exceed the Trainer/Instructor’s ability, the Trainer/Instructor shall refer them to another professional or specialist.
- The Trainer/Instructor shall co-operate and liaise with that professional or specialist, only with the expressed permission of the client.
- The Trainer/Instructor shall never recommend or condone the use of prohibited or performance-enhancing drugs. They shall not recommend to a client or condone any practice that may jeopardise the safety, health, wellbeing or future participation in exercise or competition.
- The Trainer/Instructor shall, whilst teaching:
- project their professionalism, health and caring
- limit themselves to those areas for which they are qualified
- not smoke
- not drink alcohol
- not use recreational drugs, or
- be under the influence of any of these
- maintain high standards of language
- be punctual
- be well prepared
- be dressed appropriately
- remember that they are representing their profession, their member organisation and INWA
4. Personal Behaviour
A Trainer/Instructor must:
- Refrain from any behaviour or breach of the law that is likely to bring themselves, their organisation, INWA or the Nordic Walking profession into disrepute.
- Refrain from any advertising, marketing or promotion that:
- Makes any claims that cannot be supported by studies or evidence
- Is deceptive or offensive
- Operate their business and/or practice in an ethical, honest and straightforward manner.