These terms and conditions apply from the date of booking and payment to the Foundation and/or Advanced Doula Training through the website, or from the date of email confirmation and date of invoice by BiA Training.
- OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BiA TRAINING:
1.1. BiA Training provides four (4) days of Foundation Doula Training on-site (30 contact hours). If due to external circumstances beyond our control, on-site teaching is not possible, we will partly teach online; the hands-on part will be scheduled on-site at a later date.
1.2. BiA Training provides three (3) days Advanced Doula Training on location (22.5 contact hours). If, due to external circumstances beyond our control, teaching on-site is not possible, part of the course will be taught online and the hands-on portion will be scheduled on-site at a later date.
1.3. BiA Training provides a training manual that is available to each student.
1.4. For the time being, most of the training material is only available in English. Some of the books to be read are available in Dutch. If reading in English is a problem for the student, we will look for an alternative solution (without guarantee).
1.5. When the training is given in Dutch, the entire training is taught in Dutch by the teachers, with the understanding that the training materials are in English. When the training is given in English, it is possible the trainers translate to Dutch if needed on a specific topic.
1.6. The student will have access to an online environment (currently Dropbox), in which documents are available for the purpose of arranging internships, the evaluation forms, overview of the certification trajectory, etc.
1.7. Mentoring:
1.7.a. Included in the price of Foundation and Advanced Training combined is a total of 2 hours of 1-on-1 mentoring by the personal assigned mentor. If the mentor cannot fulfill the mentoring obligation due to circumstances, another mentor will be assigned. The mentor is responsible for answering mentoring questions, with the understanding that if the mentor is at a birth, teaching, on vacation, or the question is asked in the evening or on the weekend, there may be a response time of 1-5 days. The student is responsible for initiating contact.
1.7.b. Additional mentoring is available, at an hourly rate of €60,- ex VAT.
1.7.c. The opportunity for intervision: every 6-8 weeks a Reflect & Recharge meeting is held – online or on location – where every student can participate. A nominal entrance fee is charged to cover the cost of the venue and/or the online platform.
1.7.d. BiA Training can give the student access to the online platform where peer-to-peer contact is possible. A Facebook group is currently used.
1.7.e. BiA Training reserves the right to remove members from this Facebook group without consultation.
1.8. BiA Training provides a listing of books and other training materials that must be read or viewed and are integral to the training. The books are to be purchased by the student.
1.9. Each student who is qualified to certify (see more about certification below) will meet with her or his mentor, in person or online, in a certification meeting. Certification is included in the tuition.
1.10. Website:
1.10.a.Every BiA Doula Training student may be listed on the BiA Doula Training website as a student doula – for a maximum period of 2 years (see point 3. ‘Certification’).
1.10.b.The student will be removed from the website without consultation when this period has expired and there has been no communication regarding renewal of the certification program.
1.10.c.Listing as a certified doula is unlimited, unless BiA Training decides otherwise.
1.10.d.When the doula is no longer working as a doula, or the doula no longer wishes to be listed on the website, she/he will contact BiA Training so that the listing on the website can be removed.
1.10.e.The student/certified BiA Doula is responsible for sending changes to the listing (new data, website url etc).
1.10.f. If BiA Training notices that certain data is outdated, it reserves the right to remove the listing from the website without further consultation with the student.
1.10.g.If the doula is denied the right to profile her/himself as Certified Doula by BiA Training (see 3. ‘Certification’), then the website listing of said doula will be removed from the website.
1.11. Content and quality of the training:
1.11.a.BiA Doula Training is intended to educate the individual to become a birth doula, focussing on supporting the pregnant woman/person (and partner) in every possible setting, such as at home, hospital (both poli-clinical and clinical) or birth centre.
1.11.b.BiA Training carries out the training to the best of its ability and understanding, while keeping up to date and getting informed of the most recent development and insights in the field of birth care. The teachers associated with the training have extensive experience as active doulas and are committed to continuously developing their expertise.
1.11.c. BiA Training reserves the right to modify the form and content of training components if it considers this necessary. If this affects the student’s progress and certification, they will be informed.
1.12. Group size and teachers: The group size per training is a maximum of 22 participants. Usually the training will be given with 2 teachers per lesson day, unless there is an external circumstance beyond our control that makes this impossible.
- OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT
2.1. The BiA Doula Foundation Training is open to anyone who wishes to enter the profession of doula. The training is also accessible for people who want to do the training as an addition to their existing practice (for example maternity nurses, pregnancy teachers, etc).
2.2. The BiA Doula Advanced Training is accessible for those who have followed the Foundation Training. It is also open to doulas and other birth professionals already working in the field.
2.3. At registration the student is asked to fill out an intake questionnaire with their motivation and background. The student commits to fill out this questionnaire well in advance of the training. When BiA Training feels it necessary, we may contact you to discuss certain points.
2.4. Since the course uses English-language professional literature, knowledge of English is necessary as far as reading and listening are concerned. The student does not need to be fluent in speaking or writing in English.
2.5. BiA Training does not have any prior education requirements. The student must be able to translate and integrate what they have read and learned in the in- person days into the practice of their work as a doula. It is the student’s responsibility to assess, prior to enrolment, whether she/he feels she can do so. If in doubt, the student will contact BiA Training prior to enrolment to discuss. If during the training, it is noticed that the level of understanding and integration is not sufficient, an evaluation meeting can be scheduled.
2.6. BiA Doula Training is adult education and has a modular structure. This means that the student is expected to decide for him/herself how she/he organises her/ his own study path. This can be done in consultation with the mentor if necessary. The student is expected to be proactive and act independently and autonomously. This means, among other things, that the student:
2.6.a. Attends all of the in-person days and comes on time.
2.6.b. Participates the entire day (unless there is an emergency); if a maximum of one day of lessons is missed, this day needs to be caught up in another training course, provided that there is room in that training group. If the first day of lessons is missed, the student must watch additional video material (3-4 hours) before the start of day 2. See further 3.’Certification’.
2.6.c. Meets the self-study criteria: the student ensures that he/she has read all books and other materials, including the training manual, if applicable, prior to the course days
2.6.d. Takes the initiative to contact the mentor
2.6.e. Keeps track of the intervision moments through the facebook group or via fellow students (‘Reflect & Recharge Meetings’)
2.6.f. Finds internships by her/him/themself (midwife practice, hospital, pregnancy course)
2.6.g. Searches for clients for the student doula support trajectories (this is part of the learning process to become self-employed)
2.6.h. Undertakes self-reflection. For example: student makes sure that the Food for Thought is sent to the mentor prior to the Advanced Training; student makes SWOT analysis for the benefit of his/her own progress; student is open to feedback, learning and change.
2.6.i. Identifies gaps in knowledge and skills and ensures that these gaps are filled, possibly in consultation with the mentor.
2.7. Furthermore, the student is:
2.7.a. Respectful towards other students, trainers, other doulas and health care providers in the field (maternity nurses, midwives, gynaecologists, nurses, lactation consultants, etc).
2.7.b. Aware of and reflects on cultural differences, own biases / frame of reference and actively develops cultural competence and connection-oriented communication.
2.8. The moment the student/certified doula presents her/him/themself online and/or offline as a BiA (student) doula, she/he/they is required to adhere to the BiA Training Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice. This can be sent via email upon request.
2.9. The training manual, presentation materials (files or printouts) and exercises used in the in-person training days are copyrighted by BiA Training. They cannot be used without prior written permission. Reproduction of the training curriculum is not possible.
2.10. The entirety of hands-on skills as offered in BiA Training’s curriculum cannot be offered by the student/graduate in its entirety as a curriculum to train other professionals. Doing so is a violation of BiA Training’s intellectual property rights.
2.11. The hands-on skills the student is taught in the training are for use as a doula with your clients in a 1-on-1 situation. They are not to be taught to (pregnancy) groups. The information BiA Training provides is not sufficient to teach what is learned in such a setting.
- CERTIFICATION
3.1. The student has 2 years from the date of the attended BiA Foundation Doula Training to fulfil certification requirements.
3.2. The student may request an extension of the certification period, giving reasons. The student is responsible to do this on time. BiA Training reserves the right to grant or deny this extension.
3.3. If the certification period elapses and an extension has not been requested, the student will be removed from the Facebook group and Dropbox and the listing on the BiA Training website.
3.4. To become certified as a BiA Doula, all steps of the certification process must be completed. These will be sent prior to the training and discussed during the training. The certification process looks broadly as follows, the parts can be completed at one’s own order:
3.4.a. Reading the books listed on the mandatory reading list, the training manual and all materials sent, prior to the respective training course
3.4.b. Attendance of all training days (7 in total) with 95% attendance. If part of a teaching day must be missed, this will be done in consultation with the trainers. In case 1 teaching day is missed, there must be consultation with the trainers whether this is permissible. This teaching day must be made up in another training, provided that there is room in that Foundation or Advanced training. If the first day of the training is missed, the student must watch additional video material (3-4 hours) before the start of day 2, and also make up this day of the training.
3.4.c. The student can decide for her- or himself, possibly in consultation, when she/he will do the Advanced Training. With the understanding that BiA Training in most cases recommends a minimum of 3 months between the Foundation and Advanced Training. If there is already knowledge / experience / background about pregnancy and childbirth, the Foundation and Advanced Training can be done consecutively. In this case there will be prior contact with the trainers to make arrangements.
3.4.d. Submit the ‘Food for Thought’ and other assignments to the personal mentor.
3.4.e. Observational internships at midwifery practice (2) and hospital (2). 3.4.f. Support of at least 3 clients, with a full doula trajectory (minimum of 2 prenatal appointments, continuous support during birth, minimum of 2 postpartum meetings).
3.4.g. Attending 1 home birth (during the observational midwifery internship or own client).
3.4.h. Attending a maternity course.
3.4.i. Book review of 1 book of the mandatory reading list.
3.4.j. Attendance of at least 2 Reflect & Recharge meetings.
3.4.k. Assessment. Through an online assessment tool to determine if the student knows the learning material.
3.4.l. Submission of portfolio with all reports and reflections, including evaluation forms from the internship supervisors and the clients. Also included in the portfolio are the checklist and the signed ‘Scope of Practice and Code of Conduct’.
3.5. If the mentor feels the need for an intermediate evaluation during the certification process, the student is expected to comply.
3.6. If the mentor, in consultation with the other mentors, sees reason to not certify a student, this will be communicated to the student. The student will be given the opportunity to discuss the components on which BiA Training is making the decision not to certify the student. A second mentor will be present during this discussion. The final decision lies with BiA Training.
3.7. BiA Training reserves the right, at all times, to deny the student further participation in the training, and/or not to certify. The decision is based on the following:
3.7.a. How will this doula support clients?
3.7.b. How has this doula processed her/his/their own experiences (if any)? 3.7.c. How will the doula communicate and relate with other care providers? 3.7.d. How will the doula interact with colleagues?
The assessment will look at:
3.7.e. Behaviour during the training days.
3.7.f. Communication with the mentor.
3.7.g. Communicative skills.
3.7.h. Empathy.
3.7.i. Reflective ability.
3.7.j. Cultural competence.
3.7.k. Collegiality
3.7.l. Working outside the ‘Scope of Practice’ and/or ‘Code of Conduct’. 3.7.m. Any feedback or complaints from the field (clients, care providers, doulas).
3.8. When the student has met all criteria and the portfolio has been submitted, reviewed and approved, a certification interview will follow, where the student will receive her/his/their certificate. The certification takes place within 6-8 weeks after the portfolio has been approved. If there are exceptional circumstances, this term may vary. The certification interview is with the personal mentor, and if possible, one of the other trainers is also present. The certification is preferably on location, but is also possible online. The certification interview is a reflection of the entire course the doula in question would have taken, looking backward and forward. Possible points of attention and development for the doula can be discussed.
3.9. When the student is certified, she/he/they is authorised to call her/him/themself BiA Certified, BiA Certified Doula or BiA Doula, and/or to mention on promotional materials that she/he/they has/have done the Doula Training at BiA. She/he/they may also include the BiA Training logo on her/his/their own website.
3.10. Certification is valid for life, as long as the doula adheres to the BiA Scope of Practice and Code of Conduct and as long as she/he/they is/are not in breach with BiA Training’s copyright. There is no recertification requirement.
3.11. Certified BiA Doulas may be listed on the BiA Training website. See further point 1.10.
3.12. If BiA Training becomes aware that the doula in question is not adhering to the BiA Scope of Practice and/or Code of Conduct, and/or is violating BiA Training’s copyright, the doula will be notified by email that, for compelling reasons, the doula in question may no longer call her/him/themself a BiA Certified Doula et cetera, and she/he/they will be asked to remove the logo from her/his/their promotional communications.
3.13. On the online platform (Facebook at the moment), only students who are within their 2-year certification process and have the intention to work as a doula, as well as certified BiA Doula’s, are allowed. If a student no longer meets these requirements, she/he/they will be removed from the group. See also point 3.3.
3.14. If the student has taken the Foundation and/or Advanced Training as continuing education, for example as an addition to their own profession, or as a doula who is certified with another training / institute, or if the student does not end up certifying, then the student may state on the promotional / public statements that the BiA Foundation / Advanced Training was done as continuing education.
The following is specifically not allowed to be communicated:
‘I have been trained by BiA Training’ or ‘I have done the BiA (Foundation Advanced) Doula Training’ or ‘I have taken the BiA (Foundation / Advanced) Doula Training’’.
However, this can be communicated:
‘I have taken the BiA Foundation/Advanced Doula Training as continuous education training’.
Also, the BiA Doula Training logo cannot be used in this case.
- GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
4.1. BiA Training has a grievance procedure in case a client, caregiver or colleague has a complaint about one of the BiA student or certified doulas.
4.2. There is also a grievance procedure for when a student has a complaint about the training.
4.3. The grievance procedures can be requested by mail.
- CANCELLATION POLICY AND PAYMENT OBLIGATION
5.1. The 14-day right of withdrawal is valid from the online registration and payment of the training. This applies only if the training does not take place within 30 days of registration/payment. Within the period of the right of withdrawal, the training can be canceled free of charge. The cancellation must be sent by e-mail to doula@biadoulatraining.com.
5.2. If 5.1. is not applicable, the booked training can be canceled up to 30 days prior to the training, subject to a €150,- administration fee. The cancellation must be sent by email to doula@biadoulatraining.com. If the training has already been paid for, the amount of the training will be refunded minus the €150 administration fee. If the training has not yet been paid, the €150,- administration fee will be charged.
5.3. If the training takes place within 30 days, cancellation is no longer possible.
5.4. If the Foundation Doula Training and the Advanced Doula Training are booked together and the combined booking discount is used, it is only possible to cancel both trainings up to 30 days prior to the Foundation Training, subject to a €150,- administration fee. If the training has already been paid for, the amount of the training will be refunded minus the €150,- administration fee. If the training has not been paid yet, the €150,- administration fee will be charged.
5.5. If the student, after registration, wants to reschedule their participation in the training to another or next training, this is possible only once if requested within the cancellation period: up to 30 days before the start of the training, subject to €150,- administration costs. These administrative costs will be invoiced separately. The registration for the rescheduled training course is then final. The cancellation policy doesn’t apply; in other words, no refund of the training fee is possible. If in the meantime, a price increase has taken place for the training in question, the price difference will be invoiced.
5.6. If the student has missed 2 or more days of the Foundation and/or Advanced Doula Training, the student must re-register for the training in question. The lesson fee is then 75% of the then current rate.
5.7. If BiA Training has denied a student further participation in the training and/or certification (see point 3g.), there will be no refund of tuition fees, with an obligation to pay any outstanding invoices.
5.8. In all other circumstances, no cancellation will be possible.
- COVID-19 AND OTHER CALAMITIES
6.1. If BiA Training must reschedule or modify a training due to covid-19 regulations or other calamities imposed by the government, or due to illness/contagiousness of the trainer and no other trainer is available to teach, the student will be given the opportunity to choose between participating in the training partially online and partially on-site (with a new date to be determined for the hands-on portion of the training), or rescheduling participation to a subsequent training, if possible to a date of their choice, at no additional cost. Cancelation is not possible beyond the normal cancelation options.
6.2. If the student has taken a covid-19 test within the time indicated by the GGD and it is negative, the student can participate in the training.
6.3. If the symptoms are most likely due to non-covid related conditions (e.g., hay fever), the student takes a rapid test. If the test is negative, the student can participate in the training.
6.4. If the student cannot participate in the training due to covid-19 complaints / positive test, he/she can attend the training the next time with a €150,- administration fee. Participation will be arranged with BiA Training on the basis of availability of a place in the training. This rescheduled training cannot be canceled afterwards. If a price increase has occurred in the meantime, the price difference will be charged.
6.5. If the student cannot attend due to a serious calamity (death, serious illness of self or first-degree relative), she/he/they may attend the training a second time subject to a €150 administration fee. Participation is agreed upon with BiA Training on the basis of availability of a place in the training. This rescheduled training cannot be canceled afterwards. If a price increase has occurred in the meantime, the difference will be charged.
6.6. In all other cases the training cannot be canceled.