Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics of the Derby & Area IPN Group

1. Introduction
  1.1 Members of the group approach their work with the aim of resolving suffering and promoting the well-being of clients. Members shall endeavour to use their abilities and skills to the client’s best advantage without prejudice and with due recognition of the value and dignity of every human being.
2. Responsibilities to client
  2.1 Practitioners shall be open about their training and qualifica-tions, their years of experience and supervision, and other information relevant to their therapeutic work.
  2.2 Practitioners shall state clearly to the client, or where appropriate to the parent or legal guardian, the terms and conditions of their practice, e.g., fees, times and frequency of sessions.
  2.3 Contact by the practitioner with third parties such as rela-tives, or friends, or employers of the client shall only happen with the express knowledge and consent of the client. It is recognised that exceptional circumstances may exist, such as therapy with minors, or management of clients who are dangerous to themselves or others, or emergency situations.
  2.4 When the contract is first made, an emphasis will be placed on the fact that the worker will maintain a high degree of confidentiality. On discussing this, it will also be indicated that in certain circumstances confidentiality will need to be broken where the client is or will be harming other people or excessively harming themselves. In the case of children, information may be passed on to other agencies where it appears that the child, or any other children, has been harmed, or that there is a high risk of significant harm to the child or other children. The decision whether to pass on information will only be made after careful consideration, usually in discussion with the worker's supervisor. Where a counsellor is under a statutory duty to disclose to other agencies, the extent of that duty should be fully understood.
  2.5 The consent of the client shall usually be obtained for the publication of material relating to them except where it is heavily disguised. This also applies to material recorded by electronic means such as audio- or video-recording. Where the client specifically requests that material should not be used, this must be respected. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances, e.g., when required by law.
  2.6 Practitioners recognise the importance of good working rela-tionships with their clients and the power and influence this can give to the practitioners. The practitioner must act in a manner consistent with that recognition.
  2.7 Practitioners are responsible for ensuring that the satisfac-tion of their own emotional needs is not dependent upon relationship with clients. Practitioners will endeavour to do personal development work through frequent and regular counselling/therapy, either in an individual or group setting.
  2.8 The therapy relationship is professional. Practitioners have a responsibility not to exploit their clients financially, sexually, emotionally, or in any other way.
  2.9 Where practitioners and their clients mix socially or in other contexts, it must be understood that the counselling/therapy relationship is very different from other relationships and the onus is on the counsellor/therapist to clarify and maintain the boundaries and remain within their role.
  2.10 Practitioners shall not use physical violence against clients, although in exceptional circumstances physical restraint may be necessary.
  2.11 Practitioners accept clients commensurate with their training, skills and supervision arrangements. Where the practitioner is in doubt about his or her ability to perform competently, the practitioner shall seek appropriate advice. When faced with a client outside their competence, practitioners will refer the client to a person with the required skills, or obtain appropriate supervision.
  2.12 Where there are difficulties relating to any of these matters, the worker will discuss these with his/her supervisor.

 

Complaints Procedure

As a consequence of agreeing to abide by the above Code of Ethics, we stand by the work of each other and, if necessary, receive complaints from a client(s) about our work.

 

If such a complaint occurs on a matter(s) relating to the Code of Ethics and this is unresolvable informally, then

  1. the member will inform other members and a procedure will be put into effect to resolve it
  2. Independent Practitioner Groups with whom we are linked will be informed that such a process is occurring
  3. the complainant will be told that the link groups have been informed and that they have the right to observe the process

The ultimate sanction against an individual(s) is that the group decides to discontinue its association with the individuals(s). The ultimate sanction against a group is that the link group(s) decides to discontinue its association with the group.

 

Procedural Commitments

As a group we commit ourselves to meeting at least three-monthly. We also commit ourselves to meeting our link groups at least once per year and to inform them in the interim of any changes in the group and/or its Code of Ethics.

 

Agreed by Group members Nick Carter, Harman Dickson, Catrin Harrhy, Eric Wall, Pauline Ward. Dated 1 August 2003.