All disciplines, especially hands-on and lone practitioners
Client conduct and terms
A short statement of what the treatment relationship is and is not, what behaviour you will not accept, and what you will do if it happens. Clients agree to it before their first appointment.
It matters most for practitioners who work alone or in clients' homes, and for hands-on work such as massage and sports therapy, where boundaries are tested more often. Having it agreed in advance means you are enforcing something the client already accepted, not improvising in the moment.
The UK standards it rests on
HCPC Standards of conduct, performance and ethics
Expect registrants to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with service users.
CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council's code for registered practitioners, including massage and sports massage therapists, covers professional boundaries and conduct.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
If you employ or engage staff, you have a duty to protect them, which includes reducing the risk of violence and harassment at work.
Equality Act 2010
A conduct policy must be applied consistently and must not be used to refuse service on the basis of a protected characteristic. Consider reasonable adjustments where behaviour is linked to a disability.
Consumer Rights Act 2015
Terms with clients must be fair and in plain language, including what happens to fees if a session is ended early.
Must include
What the professional relationship is
A clear statement that sessions are clinical and professional is the reference point for everything else.
Behaviour that is not acceptable
Name it plainly: sexual comments or requests, inappropriate touching or exposure, threats, aggression, abuse, attending under the influence.
What you will do if it happens
Ending the session immediately, the fee still being payable, and possibly ending the treatment relationship. Saying so in advance makes it easier to act.
Draping and clothing
For hands-on work, explains that only the area being treated is uncovered and the client can keep clothing on.
Client agreement
A signature or recorded acknowledgement before the first session.
Optional
Your commitments to the client
Respect, consent before each technique, the right to stop. Makes the policy two-way and easier to accept.
Chaperone availability
Either party may request one where practical.
Social media and contact outside sessions
Sets expectations on messaging, friend requests and contact channels.
Home visit conditions
Who else may be present, pets secured, a safe working space.
Reporting
Where conduct may amount to a criminal offence, you may report it to the police.
The template
Replace anything in [square brackets]. Print it, save it as a PDF from the print dialog, or copy the text into your own document.
Client conduct and terms of treatment
[Practice name] · Please read before your first appointment.
Our professional relationship
All appointments at [Practice name] are professional, clinical sessions. Treatment is provided for [therapeutic purpose, e.g. musculoskeletal and sports injury care] only.
What you can expect from us
We will explain what we plan to do and ask for your consent before each technique.
Only the area being treated will be uncovered. You can keep clothing on, ask for more cover, or ask us to stop at any time.
You may ask for a chaperone. Please tell us in advance where possible.
What we expect from you
We will not accept: sexual comments, requests or behaviour; inappropriate touching or exposure; threatening, abusive or aggressive behaviour; or attending under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
[Optional: Please contact us only through [phone / email / patient portal]. We do not accept social media requests from clients.]
If this happens
We will end the session immediately. The full fee for the appointment will be payable.
We may decline to offer further appointments and, where appropriate, refer you elsewhere.
Where behaviour may be a criminal offence, we may report it to the police.
Home visits (if applicable)
[e.g. Another adult may be present. Please make sure pets are secured and there is a clear, safe space to work.]
On paid plans, build this as a consent form in Atlacare's form builder, with statement and signature fields, and send it before the first appointment. If an incident happens, record it in the patient's conversation log with the date, method and what was said.
Atlacare