Diet Advice For You

1. Introduction
1.1 This document is the Code of Practice (‘the Code’) for Diet Advice For You (The Service Provider).
1.2 The Code sets out the principles that must be followed and applied by all persons who carry out work for, or behalf of The Service Provider.
1.3 The Code forms part of a wider package of registration, regulation and disciplinary information with which all persons who carry out work for, or behalf of The Service Provider Provider must comply.

2. Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this Code is to set out the rules and standards of conduct that are expected and to inform members of the public and clients about the standards of conduct that they can expect.
2.2 This Code aims to promote:
2.2.1 The best standards of practice; and
2.2.2 Confidence in the integrity of all who carry out work on behalf of The Service Provider.

3. Application
3.1 All persons who carry out work for, or on behalf of The Service must ensure that they understand and comply with this Code and any accompanying guidance.
3.2 A failure to comply with the Standards set out in the Code or guidance will generally lead to disciplinary or other appropriate action being taken.

4. Personal and Professional Standards
4.1 Must at all times:
4.1.1 Act with integrity;
4.1.2 Be honest and trustworthy;
4.1.3 Be open and transparent;
4.1.4 Disclose to The Service Provider any or all of the following matters: 4.1.4.1 that they have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or elsewhere; 4.1.4.2 that another has referred them for a disciplinary hearing to an Accreditation Scheme, professional body, trade association or regulatory body, or other similar organisation; 4.1.4.3 that a disciplinary allegation has been found proved against them by another Accreditation Scheme, professional body, trade association or regulatory body, or other similar organisation; 4.1.4.4 the institution against them of bankruptcy or directors’ disqualification order; 4.1.4.5 the making of a bankruptcy or directors’ disqualification proceeding; or 4.1.4.6 if they enter into an individual voluntary arrangement with creditors;
4.1.5 Assist The Service Provider in any disciplinary inquiry involving another person who has carried out work for, or on behalf of The Service Provider;
4.1.6 Recognise the limits of their professional or qualified competence;
4.1.7 Keep their knowledge and skills up to date;
4.1.8 Avoid abusing their position; and
4.1.9 Comply with the requirements of any professional or trade association, or accreditation scheme to which they belong.
4.2 Must not engage in conduct that:
4.2.1 Damages the reputation of The Service Provider;
4.2.2 Diminishes public or client confidence in the professionalism and conduct of The Service Provider or 4.2.2.1 damages the trust placed in The Service Provider by any professionals who may need to rely upon their work.
4.2.3 Must not exploit the vulnerability of consumers or take advantage of their lack of professional knowledge of Dietetics, Nutrition and related diciplines.
4.3 Dietitions must also adhere to the Code of Conduct required by the membership and registration of their professional body

5. Skills, ability and personal development
5.1 In all situations must:
5.1.1 Only act if competent to do so;
5.1.2 Carry out their work with reasonable skill and care;
5.1.3 Maintain their professional knowledge and/or skill by participating in lifelong learning;
5.1.4 Observe and keep up to date with laws and statutory codes of practice that affect their work.
5.1.5 Update their professional knowledge and/or work experience and skill through appropriate activities.

6. Conflicts of interest
6.1 Must at all times give an unbiased opinion.
6.2 Must not give or accept any inducement, gift or hospitality that may affect or may be seen to affect their judgement.
6.3 if applicable, must be satisfied that the client is being or has been provided with written information concerning whether The Service Provider or individual has any personal or business relationship with any person involved in the provision of The Service Provider and will sign or has signed a declaration that they understand the implications of the information.
6.4 Must not carry out any work if to do so would cause a conflict with the interests client.
6.5 If, in the course of carrying out any agreed service a conflict with the interests of the seller arises, then The Service Provider should be terminated with a clear written statement giving the reasons.
6.6 If a risk of conflict arises, it must be managed in accordance with any guidance issued by The Service Provider.

7. Advertising
7.1 The Service Provider may only promote and advertise their services in a clear, honest and lawful manner.
7.2 Any advertisement placed by The Service Provider must comply with statutory and national standards to ensure that all advertisements are legal, honest and truthful and that they are clearly identifiable as an advertisement.

8. Marketing
8.1 must operate under fair and honest sales practices.
8.2 must not:
8.2.1 Engage in any commercial practices that are misleading or likely to mislead clients or any professional associated with the provision of a service;
8.2.2 Use physical force, harassment, coercion or undue influence;
8.2.3 Be party to charging fees that are discriminatory or excessive;
8.2.4 Exploit the trust, vulnerability or lack of experience of the public; or
8.2.5 Encourage or condone unsafe or harmful practices.
8.3 Any persons providing a service on behalf of The Service Provider must not offer other services and/or products without having the agreement of The Service Provider. If allowed to do so they must:
8.3.1 act lawfully and responsibly in sending sellers or buyers details of those services and/or products; and
8.3.2 declare, to The Service Provider, any financial benefit that they may receive as a result of providing those services and/or products.

9. Information for the client
9.1 An offer by The Service Provider, to perform services whether direct or through a third party, must be clear and truthful and contain all relevant pre-contractual information.
9.2 The Service Provider must provide details in writing of:
9.2.1 The terms, conditions and costs associated with The Service Provider being provided.
9.2.2 The key features of any services provided; their right to see any personal records held about them and what use that may be made of the data collected by The Service Provider;
9.2.3 The fee for The Service Provider or products, including any tax and duties;
9.2.4 How and when The Service Provider or products will be delivered; 9.2.4.1 How the information, service and/or goods will be supplied; 9.2.4.2; Arrangements for a follow up discussion at the client’s request.
9.2.5 The existence and conditions of a right of withdrawal;
9.2.6 The policy and procedure for cancellation of services and the payment of refunds;
9.2.7 The complaint and redress and appeals procedures; and a reference to this Code.

10. Confidentiality
10.1 must treat all customers’ personal information as private and confidential (even when they are no longer a customer of The Service Provider).
10.2 The Service Provider must not reveal any personal information to a 3rd party unless:
10.3.1 The client has given permission for the information to be revealed;
10.3.2 The Service Provider is required to reveal the information by law; or
10.3.3 There is a ‘common law’ duty to the public to reveal the information.
10.4 The Service Provider must notify the client that their details may be used during the process of any service provided for monitoring the compliance and performance of any persons acting for or on behalf of The Service Provider.
10.5 The Service Provider will hold and store all client information in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

11. Diversity
11.1 The Service Provider, and any person working for, or on behalf of The Service Provider must not unlawfully or unjustifiably discriminate against any individual.
11.2 must not discriminate against any individual on the basis of gender, race or disability or allow their views of the lifestyle, culture, belief, colour, gender, sexuality or age of others to prejudice their professional practice and relationships.

12. Insurance
12.1 Any person involved in providing The Service is covered by adequate and appropriate indemnity insurance cover, as prescribed in the insurance standards adopted by their Professional Body or Accreditation Schemes.
12.2 The Service Provider will take out the appropriate insurance cover necessary to enable it to supply its services in compliance with the law.

13. Complaints procedure
13.1 Any person working for, on behalf of The Service Provider shall participate in The Service Provider Complaints Procedure
13.2 must ensure that:
13.2.1 Complaints are initially acknowledged in writing, and the acknowledgement sets out a likely timescale for resolving the complaint;
13.2.2 There is a named individual who is responsible for complaints and who has the authority to resolve complaints; and
13.2.3 Complainants are informed that, if they want to take their complaint further, the complaint can be referred to the appropriate independent complaints handling process.
13.3 Additionally, Home Inspectors and Energy Assessors working for, or on behalf of The Service Provider must participate in a complaints handling system as prescribed by their Accreditation Scheme.

14. Compliance with legislation
14.1 will carry out all work and provide services in compliance with all current legislation.
14.2 will comply with all officially published guidance in providing Home Information Packs and other Services and products as appropriate.

15. Compliance with Health and safety legislation
15.1 All work and services will be carried out in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other Health and safety legislation that may be relevant to the business.
15.1.1 In accordance with the Act all health and safety issues must be reported to the ‘responsible person’.
15.1.2 the ‘responsible person’ must discharge their duties diligently in accordance with the legislation.
15.1.3 any H&S issues must be reported to the named ‘responsible person’. The responsible person shall be responsible for the implementation of appropriate emergency procedures within the workplace and ensure that all other persons required to know of those procedures receive adequate and effective training.

16. Compliance with Security of Information legislation
16.1 will carry out work and services in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
16.1.1 In accordance with the Act all data protection issues must be reported to the ‘responsible person’.
16.1.2 the ‘responsible person’ they must discharge their duties diligently in accordance with the legislation.
16.1.3 must pass on any relevant information to the named ’responsible person’.

17. Limitations
17.1 If any circumstances should arise that prevents the provision or completion of any work or service due to any statutory or voluntary limitation infringements, conflicts of interest or any other reason that may prevent completion the client must be informed immediately in writing giving a clear explanation of reason.

18. Identification
18.1 when visiting clients it is necessary to be able to provide formal identification. This will carry a photograph, a sample of the person’s signature, The Service Provider name, capacity in which the person is acting. Others acting on behalf of The Service Provider may use their own identification provided it complies with their Certification Scheme or Professional Body.

19. Publicity
19.1 This code must be available to a member of the public or customer upon request.

20. Consumer protection
20.1 must act in an open and transparent way in all dealings with the public.