Raising Standards - Raising Awareness  - Driving Change since 2008  

Terms and conditions of membership to the Guild of Spiritual Workers.

By becoming a member of the Guild of Spiritual Workers you agree and adhere to the following terms and conditions.

Article I. SWA Code of Professional Conduct

(a) All members of the SWA agree to:

• Act in the best interests of their clients, the SWA and any other professional organisational bodies they may be affiliated to.
• Act in the interests of their own personal safety and wellbeing and those of their clients.
• Treat clients, patients and members of the public with respect and courtesy.
• Take responsibility for their words and actions when working with the public and act in an appropriate manner.
• Take out suitable insurance cover to indemnify and protect themselves, their clients and or other third parties.
• Always have a chaperone present when supplying spiritualistic services to people under the age of 18.
• Always seek parental consent in writing when supplying spiritualistic services to people under the age of 18. (Be aware any contract would lie with the adult not the under 18)
• Always have a chaperone present when supplying spiritualistic services to those who could be considered as vulnerable. (e.g. Persons who are under 18, people who maybe suffering from mental illness, on prescription drugs, has a substance misuse problem, is elderly etc.)
• Always seek owner's written consent when supplying spiritualistic services to animals.
• Continually seek to improve and develop their knowledge and abilities through, wherever possible, recognised training and certification.
• Respect the beliefs, philosophy and creeds of others.
• Keep any information acquired in the course of their work confidential unless it is required by law or it is contrary to the public interest.
• Work within the law of the country in which they practise.
• Use language that can easily be understood by clients and ensure clients have understood clearly what the service provided will entail.

(b) Members of the SWA will not:

• Break the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Falsify any documentation. This includes, but is not limited to, records, reference forms, and membership of organisations, training, awards, certification, and qualifications.
• Make unsubstantiated claims.
• Use unacceptable behaviour during the course of their work. Unacceptable behaviour includes but is not limited to, Verbal or physical assault, provocation, threat, profane language or insolence, sexual intimidation, harassment, bullying; discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, politics, religion, creed, age, sexuality, ability or in any other way that contravenes discrimination laws; act in a way as to disregard the SWA's core standards and principles.

The SWA would also like to remind members of the public that a contract works both ways. Spiritualistic Service Providers are also entitled to be treated with respect and courtesy and do not have to put up with unacceptable behaviour from their clients.

Article II. Membership

• Membership is sold on an annual term and the anniversary of the term will be 12 months from the date the membership commenced, unless otherwise stated by the SWA.
• Membership is open to any person aged 16 years and over. If under the age of 18 parental consent is required.
• The SWA will make contact prior to the renewal anniversary to advise when the term is due to expired, however, it is also the responsibility of the member to ensure membership dues are paid on time.
• The SWA have the right to amend the terms and conditions, subscription amount or offers available to the members from time to time. Members will be notified of any changes.
• The SWA have the right to refuse or cancel membership as they see fit.
• Any member found to be abusing SWA property, name or reputation will be investigated under the SWA Disciplinary Procedure and can have their membership cancelled.
• The SWA do not offer a refund for any membership period not taken up as the member has cancelled or has been cancelled by the SWA through disciplinary procedures.

Article III. Payment

• Full payment can be made by debit or credit card, cheque, postal order, PayPal or directly into the SWA account
• Monthly payments are made by direct debit only.
• Payment, whether in full or by direct debit, is always due one year or one month in advance depending on the type of payment structure taken.
• The SWA reserve the right to charge an administration fee when a payment is rejected or returned. This includes all payment methods.

Article IV. Direct Debits

• Direct debits are collected by a third party company known as Debit Finance Collections.
• Direct debit mandates are set up to run continuously and will automatically be renewed on the term's anniversary.
• Any amendments to direct debits should be directed to the SWA.
• Direct debit payments are restricted to the following dates in each month: 1st, 8th, 15th and 25th.
• The Direct Debit Guarantee
  • This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
  • If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, Debit Finance Collections Plc will notify you 5 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Debit Finance Collections Plc to collect payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of request.
  • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by Debit Finance Collections Plc or your bank or Building Society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
  • If you receive a full refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Debit Finance Collection Plc asks you to.
  • You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

Article V. Charges

• The SWA reserves the right to apply an administration charge if a payment is not made, cancelled or returned.

Article VI. Membership Benefits

• General
  • Membership Benefits are available to current members only.
  • Any benefit or service engaged by the member and one of our partners is strictly a third party agreement or contract which the SWA has no part in.
• Insurance
• All members must be insured and continue to be insured during the term of their membership.
• Insurance is an additional cost and is not included in the membership subscription.
• HMCA
• The SWA HMCA facility is available to members only.
• All policies available through the HMCA are administered by the HMCA.
• Any policy taken out with the HMCA is a separate cost and is not included in the membership subscription.

Article VII. Policies & Procedures

• Disciplinary Procedure
  • This course of action may be followed as a result of a complaint investigation or other findings where a member is found to be failing the SWA's Code of Conduct or other legislation. This may include, but is not limited to Malpractice, Fraudulence, Conviction of a crime, Sexual harassment, racial prejudice.
  • A copy of the policy can be requested from SWA Head Office.
• Complaint Procedure
  • In the event of a complaint raised regarding an SWA member for any practice believed to be unethical or illegal and/or a possible violation of the SWA Code of Conduct, the SWA's complaint procedure will be followed.
  • A copy of the Complaint Procedure can be requested from SWA Head Office.
  • Should a Member wish to make a complaint to the SWA, then this should be done in writing and include as much detail as possible, as per the Complain Procedure.
• POVA (Protection of vulnerable adults)
  • Members are required to familiarise themselves with the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Guidance, understand and make necessary changes in their actions to accommodate.
  • A copy of the Guidance Notes on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults is available from SWA Head Office.

Article VIII. Usage of SWA Property

• MGSW
  • Only current Members are permitted to use the post nominal letters MGSW (member of the Guild of Spiritual Workers)
• Logos and Banners
  • Only current Members are permitted to use the SWA Logo or Banner on their website, stationery or in advertising.
  • Any person found to be using the property without permission will be breaking the Consumer Protection Regulations and will be prosecuted as such.
  • Logos and banners must not be altered in any way other than resizing.
• Templates
  • Any template materials such as, but not limited to, the Certificate, receipt and disclaimer are for Current Members' use only. Non Members or lapsed Members are not permitted to use these materials.
  • None of these materials are to be altered in any way.