This procedure is effective from November 2002 until revised.

1 Introduction
1.1 The UKAHPP Code of Practice is designed to clarify and expand upon the philosophy embodied in the UKAHPP Ethical Principles by applying it to specific practice issues. All UKAHPP Members commit to adhere to this code.

2 Responsibility
2.1 In providing services, UKAHPP Members maintain the highest standards of their professions. They accept responsibility for the consequences of their acts and make every effort to ensure that their services are used appropriately.

2.2 UKAHPP Members acknowledge that their own recommendations and personal actions can alter the lives of others. They are alert to personal and other pressures and influences that might lead them to misuse this professional influence.

2.3 UKAHPP Members accept responsibility for the selection of their research topics and methods. In publishing their work they acknowledge the existence of alternative hypotheses and non-supporting data. They take credit only for work they have actually done.

2.4 The moral and ethical standards of UKAHPP Members as individuals are a personal matter except as these may compromise the fulfilment of their professional responsibilities or reduce the public trust in the UKAHPP. UKAHPP Members do not engage in or condone any practices that are inhumane or result in illegal or unjustifiable results or which may diminish the legal or civil rights of clients or others. They adhere to all relevant laws, regulations and guidelines affecting their work.

2.5 Public statements, published work, advertising and promotional activities of UKAHPP Members are guided by the primary obligation to aid the public in developing informed judgments, opinions and choices. UKAHPP Members represent themselves and any associated organisations accurately. They give a clear statement of purpose and description of the service they provide. They base public statements on scientifically acceptable psychological findings and techniques whenever possible with full recognition of the limits and uncertainties of such matters.

2.6 UKAHPP Members are in receipt of regular supervision appropriate to their experience, client load and field of work.

3 Confidentiality
3.1 Confidentiality is a means of providing the client with safety and privacy. UKAHPP Members recognise that anything less than absolute practitioner confidentiality may diminish the value of the working relationship.

3.2 Information obtained under an agreement of confidentiality is revealed only with the consent of the person from whom that information was obtained, or with the consent of that person's legal representative.

3.3 Clients are made aware at the onset of the working relationship that there may be legal limits on the extent of confidentiality.

3.4 Normal confidentiality may be lifted under exceptional circumstances such as a client's expressed intention to commit suicide, or where the client is under legal age and reporting abuse by his or her legal guardian, or where there is a clear risk to anybody's health and safety. Any limitations imposed on confidentiality by UKAHPP are communicated to the client and the client's legal guardian where relevant before a professional relationship is started.

3.5 UKAHPP Members only make contact with third parties such as friends or relatives of the client with the express knowledge of the client. Any unanticipated communication with third parties is reported to the client, together with the content of the communication, as soon as possible after it has taken place.

3.6 When client-related information is to be used in written or spoken form in a public forum, the UKAHPP Member obtains consent for its use and/or adequately disguises all identifying information. Particular care is taken so that answers to follow-up questions and other spontaneous remarks do not inadvertently reveal the identity of the client.

3.7 Confidentiality is maintained in the storage and disposal of records.

3.8 Care must be taken to ensure that personally identifiable information is not transmitted through overlapping networks of confidential relationships. For this reason, it is good practice to avoid identifying specific clients during supervision and other consultations, unless there are sound reasons for doing so.

4 Consumer Welfare
4.1 The rights of clients as consumers are asserted by UKAHPP Members. These include the right to exercise freedom of choice with regard to participation.

4.2 UKAHPP Members respect the integrity and protect the welfare of the people and groups with whom they work. They recognise their own needs and their potentially powerful and influential position and make every effort to avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of clients, students, supervisees and subordinates.

4.3 UKAHPP Members fully inform consumers as to the purpose and nature of different approaches and procedures. They also state clearly at the outset of the working relationship any terms, conditions and methods of practice, preferably in a written form. They maintain these throughout the course of the relationship or obtain clear agreement if any alterations need to be made. As clear an indication as possible should be made as to the probable duration of any treatment.

4.4 UKAHPP Members avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of clients, students, supervisees, research participants and subordinates. In particular:
4.4.1 Every effort is made to avoid dual relationships that could impair professional judgment, increase the risk of exploitation or otherwise confuse the existing relationship.
4.4.2 Sexual intimacies with clients or past clients are unethical.
4.4.3 Non-professional relationships with former clients are avoided whenever possible.
4.4.4 Potential conflicts of interest that might arise are made clear to all parties concerned.
4.4.5 Where there is any risk of exploitation or other harmful dual relationship either during or after a working relationship, UKAHPP Members demonstrate their professional commitment to the welfare of their clients by invoking the UKAHPP Ethical Review Procedure before taking any possibly unethical action.

4.5 A working relationship is terminated by the UKAHPP Member when it appears reasonably clear to the Practitioner that the client is not benefiting from it, or at the client's request, or by previous agreement. Care is taken to ensure that the client is well prepared for termination of the working relationship.

4.6 Financial arrangements are made clear to clients before any professional relationship is commenced. UKAHPP Members neither give nor receive remuneration or other reward for referring clients for professional services.

4.7 When ethical conflicts that appear irreconcilable arise between UKAHPP Members and any employing organisations, or in any client situation, the UKAHPP Member invokes the UKAHPP Ethical Review Procedure.

4.8 The UKAHPP Member's physical work environment is appropriate to the services offered and conducive to the safety and privacy of the clients and therapist.

4.9 UKAHPP Members ensure that their professional work is adequately covered by appropriate indemnity insurance.

4.10 An UKAHPP Member clarifies the nature, purpose and conditions of any research with participants and obtains informed and verifiable consent before embarking on a research programme.

4.11 Contracts with clients are explicit as regards fees, payment schedule, holidays, and cancellation of sessions by the client or UKAHPP Member and session frequency. The likely length of therapy, the methods to be utilised, transfers of clients and terminations are discussed openly and specifically with clients at the onset of the professional relationship.

5 Professional Relationships
5.1 UKAHPP Members act with due regard for the needs, special competencies and obligations of their colleagues in all professions. This extends to all aspects of their professional work.

5.2 UKAHPP Members are aware of the extent of their capabilities and understand the areas of competence of related professions. They make full use of this knowledge to serve the best interest of the consumer. Where they become aware of any medical implication they encourage their client to inform their GP and make a written note to that effect.
5.2.1 UKAHPP Members are responsible for monitoring their own effectiveness and competence to practice. Competence may be impaired temporarily, or permanently, by temporary or permanent physical or mental incapacity, or due to other circumstances. Members are responsible for seeking professional supervision and support to help them monitor this, and as necessary, professional help and advice to deal with particular circumstances which may adversely effect their ability to work ethically and effectively with clients. At times it may be necessary for a UKAHPP Member to temporarily, or permanently, refrain from practice, due to any of the above occurring. They may avail themselves of the Ethical Review Procedure to help clarify whether this is the case.

5.3 When UKAHPP Members employ, train or supervise others, they accept the obligation to further the professional development of these people and provide appropriate working conditions, timely evaluations, constructive criticism and viable work experience opportunities.

5.4 When UKAHPP Members know of a possible ethical violation by another practitioner, they may first informally attempt to resolve the issue by bringing the behaviour to the attention of the practitioner. Such informal corrective efforts are made with sensitivity to any rights to confidentiality involved. UKAHPP Members may invoke the UKAHPP Ethical Review Procedure if the issue does not seem amenable to an informal solution. If the possible violation is of a more serious nature, and if the practitioner causing concern is a UKAHPP Member, UKAHPP Members may invoke the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure.

5.5 UKAHPP Members inform the UKAHPP General Secretary if:
5.5.1 any complaint is in progress or has been upheld against them in another professional organisation, or in connection with their professional work or in respect of any professional organisation with which they are directly involved, or
5.5.2 they are convicted of any criminal offence, in which case information will be held in confidence by the UKAHPP unless it has a direct bearing on a practitioner's professional viability, or
5.5.3 successful civil proceedings are brought against them in connection with their work as practitioners.
The UKAHPP Board decides whether such findings make it appropriate to review the UKAHPP Member's membership.

END