Bar Set for Coaches and Mentors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bar Set for Coaches and Mentors

A Kapiti NGO, Family Matters Foundation, has launched a new professional organisation for life coaches, mentors and pastoral workers. They are creating the first national set of ethical standards and processes for auditing workers in these fields.

Paraparaumu, November 15, 2010 - A new professional body launched today in Paraparaumu is setting national ethical standards for life coaches, mentors and pastoral workers.

The Coaching and Mentoring Association (CAMANZ) will use the ethical standards in issuing practicing certificates based on proof of nine areas of competency.

A private-sector counseling agency, Family Matters, called for the national association to encourage professional standards for social services providers not already covered by existing associations.

“This is a step forward for consumers and providers alike as no longer will clients have to guess about a worker or volunteer’s competence,” said Family Matters chair David Atkinson.

Ethics and membership panels had been established, and standards had been published on the organisation's website camanz.org.nz.

It would take over 100 hours of supervised practice to apply for full membership.

This was lower than for other professions such as counsellors, but Mr Atkinson said it was a realistic starting point for workers who did not have a professional body of this type. Complaints about a member's practice would receive a written response within one month, and sanctions could be imposed on a member if a breach of standards was found.

Where complaints were received, a resolution team would work with both parties to find a satisfactory solution, or a formal hearing could be held.

The first audits for full membership are expected within a few weeks.

CAMANZ is an initiative of Family Matters Foundation NZ Incorporated, a Charitable Trust established in 2003 to provide counselling, support and training to children and families.

ENDS

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