In this self-directed online learning package produced by Davaar Consultancy. there are 15 units filled with short videos, models, theories, reading materials, and reflective questions.

By completing this course you’ll increase your self-awareness and understanding of the complexities and importance of professional boundaries. Professional boundary transgressions can occur in any profession and in many workplaces. Historically discussion on professional boundaries has focused on the relationship between health professionals and patients. Contemporary experiences, however, highlight that boundary transgressions can occur between teachers and students (across all levels of education), police officers and community members, in the defense services, in sport, and anywhere that a power dynamic may exist.

The language used in this tool is predominately healthcare-related and thus questions posed refer to, for example, the nurse and the client. We envisage that no matter your profession, you will gain much from completing this package. If you insert words specific to your professional role i.e. rather than nurse and client, you insert teacher and student, or trainer and trainee, then the questions will better resonate with you.  Similarly, if the setting mentioned is healthcare you could change it to be the setting specific to your workplace.

Tune into our Professional Boundaries Podcast for extra content, and scenarios and strategies for setting and repairing Professional boundaries: https://davaar.com.au/pbpodcast/ Professional boundary transgressions occur along a continuum between over- and under-involvement with clients (and or their families). The transgressions can be either crossings or violations, or both.

This tool will introduce you to a number of concepts significant to understanding the complexity that is professional boundaries.

 Several themes will be covered including:

1. Definitions
2. Warning signs
3. Self-awareness
4. Roles we play
5. Conflicting expectations of stakeholders
6. Frameworks that provide explanations for boundary transgressions
7. Cost of boundary transgressions for clients and the professional (and their families)
8. Strategies and interventions at an individual, collegial and organisational level
9. Reasons for boundary transgressions including - intrapersonal, interpersonal, and systemic
10. Boundary transgressions with colleagues

Collegial boundary transgressions have not received much attention in the literature. As you will see in this package collegial boundary transgressions can negatively affect the relationship between colleagues - issues of trust, accountability, and transparency, and cause difficulty in the workplace. Collegial boundary transgressions can also have a negative impact on the professional relationship between a colleague and clients. This package has been designed to assist you to reflect on your practice and the practice of colleagues, specific to professional boundaries. It is envisaged that by the end of this package you will be able to:

1. Identify warning signs that a boundary transgression has happened/is about to happen
2. Discuss and demonstrate an understanding of the definitions specific to professional boundaries
3. Identify and discuss a broad range of factors that increase the risk of boundary transgressions occurring
4. Identify the organisational (in which you work) perspective and responsibilities for ensuring staff are supported in maintaining professional boundaries
5. Recognise when a colleague may be at risk of boundary transgressions
6. Identify strategies to manage professional boundaries for self and for a colleague
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the boundary framework and categories of concern
8. Demonstrate an understanding of frameworks (described in this package) that provide explanations for boundary transgressions

This package includes references to recommended readings to complement and support content. These will be linked to a separate page so that you can read them as you go through the package. Video vignettes have been included within the course to provide examples of boundary maintenance and the slippery slope of boundary transgressions. The vignettes are intended to create increased awareness of the subtleties and complexities of professional boundaries. They should be used to stimulate reflection on your practice and the practice of colleagues, as well as provide a forum for discussion between you and colleagues. The course benefits professionals, managers, and administrative staff working in health, education, safety, and customer service fields.  Certification is available upon successful completion of the course and assessment submission and attracts 10 CNE/CPD points where applicable.  The assessment at the end of the tool requires you to complete a number of short answer questions and a reflective essay to demonstrate learning achieved from completing the tool. Please ensure you have successfully completed and submitted the assessment and paid in full to receive a certificate. Payable via Paypal securely from the web (for instant access to the course), or via bank transfer (login details emailed after payment). Terms and Conditions
Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this publication (including without limitation; the text, code, artwork, photography, images, music, audio or video material, and audio-visual material in this training) may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a database and retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owners - Davaar Consultancy, Training and Development Pty. Ltd. or when applicable, the referenced author or producer of supporting materials. All rights reserved. By purchasing access to this training tool, you agree to these terms and conditions. Please note: For live virtual workshops and in-person workshops when possible, visit our other website: https://davaar.com.au