Making home visits

Introduction

These guidelines are for the use of practitioners registered with the Dr Edward Bach Centre and relate to their work with the system of 38 flower remedies discovered by Dr Edward Bach. References to BFRPs (Bach Foundation Registered Practitioners) include BFRAPs (Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioners) unless otherwise indicated.

The problem with home visits

There are good reasons to be wary about offering to visit clients in their homes. In general you have much less control over what happens. Unforeseen problems can easily arise.

For example, you might be very comfortable with a particular client, but until you visit her home you don't know anything about the friends, relatives and neighbours who might also visit the house. In your clinic you might have colleagues and a receptionist as back-up; at home, family and neighbours; in a client's home you are on your own.

Professionals of all kinds - not just BFRPs - know that they are safer on their own premises. For this reason you may decide to refuse home visits altogether and ask clients to come to you instead.

Certainly, it can be a good idea never to make home visits if you haven't already met the client at your own premises or somewhere neutral - this at least gives you the chance to decide if this is somebody with whom you feel safe.

Nevertheless, many BFRPs do make home visits, and it's up to you where you set your boundaries. Perhaps you will only visit clients who are too ill, infirm or old to come to your premises. Perhaps you will only make exceptions for female clients, or people above a certain age. Whatever you decide, act in a way that minimises any risk and gives you as much control as possible.

Before the visit

Here are some ways of reducing the risk involved in making a home visit.

  • Make sure you have the name, address and phone number of the client
  • When making the appointment arrange a morning slot so you will arrive and leave in daylight; this is especially important if the client lives in a high-crime area
  • Find out who else lives in the house
  • Ask for household pets to be removed during the visit
  • Ask about on-street parking and how to gain entry to the home
  • Phone the client again a day or two before the appointment to check the phone number is correct and confirm the appointment
  • Check your route and the area itself so you feel more familiar with the location - the Google Maps satellite view is great for this
  • Make sure somebody knows where you are going and when you will be back; consider arranging a call-in time and/or a code word you can use if you need help

Don't be afraid to listen to your intuition. If you don't feel comfortable at the planning stage it's better to cancel the appointment.

On the day of the visit

  • Take a mobile phone with you, and a spare set of car keys
  • Leave other valuables and personal possessions, cash etc. at home
  • Arrive in plenty of time to park safely, preferably in an open area where there are lots of people around
  • Avoid driveways and any other parking place where you might be blocked in
  • Make sure your phone is on and able to connect to your mobile network
  • At the client's house maintain a professional, relaxed and calm approach
  • If an animal is in the house ask the client to remove it to a separate room
  • Follow the client into the house
  • Remember you are a guest - wait to ask before sitting down and be respectful
  • Be aware of the quickest way out of the house
  • If you feel uncomfortable at any stage, remain calm, make an excuse and leave
  • If you decide to stay longer than the planned time, break off and phone your contact to let him/her know
  • Walk back to your car with your keys ready in your hand

Visiting animal clients

There are additional safety concerns when considering whether to see an animal client in its home. See the 'Personal safety' section of our guidelines on Registered Practitioners and Animals.

Disclaimer

The information here is provided in good faith but does not constitute legal advice or opinion. No responsibility will be taken by the Bach Centre or any of its agents or officers for any act or omission carried out by anybody who follows these guidelines. In line with clauses 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 of the Bach Foundation Code of Practice BFRPs are responsible for their own actions at all times.