Code of Ethics

Question 1

How does the code relate to the guidelines?

Answer 1

• The Code is complemented by a series of ethical guidelines
• purpose of guidelines is to clarify and amplify the application of the general principles and specific standards contained in Code

Question 2

What are the 3 ethical principles that the Code is built on?

Answer 2

A. Respect for the rights and dignity of all people and peoples

B. Propriety

C. Integrity

Question 3

What is general principle “A. Respect for the rights and dignity of all people and peoples” all about?

Answer 3

Combines the principles of :

• respect for the dignity people and peoples
• respect for the rights of people and peoples
• including the right to autonomy and justice
• engage in conduct which promotes equity and protection of people’s human rights, legal rights, and moral rights

Question 4

What is general principle “B. Propriety” all about?

Answer 4

Incorporates the principles of:

• beneficence:
  balancing the benefits of treatment against the risks and costs involved
• non-maleficence (including competence):
  non-maleficence means avoiding the causation of harm
• responsibility to clients, the profession and society

Question 5

What is general principle “C: Integrity” all about?

Answer 5

• the need for psychologists to have good character
• acknowledges the high level of trust intrinsic to their professional relationships
• the impact of their conduct on the reputation of the profession

Question 6

Standards provide what?

Answer 6

The minimum expectations with regard to psychologists professional conduct

Question 7

The guidelines are subsidiary to the relevant sections of the what?

Answer 7

The Code

Question 8

The guidelines should be read and interpreted in conjunction with what?

Answer 8

The Code

Question 9

In addition to the code of ethics and guidelines, psychologists act in accordance with the:

Answer 9

laws and jurisdictions in which they practice

Question 10

What are the standards of general principle “A. Respect for the rights and dignity of all people and peoples” ?

Answer 10

A.1 : JUSTICE
1.1 - avoid discrimination
1.2 - consequences of discrimination and stereotyping
1.3 - assist clients to address unfair discrimination or
prejudice

A.2 : RESPECT
2.1 - communicate respect through actions language
and language
- do not behave in a way that may be perceived as
coercive or demeaning
- respect legal and moral rights of others
- don’t denigrate character of people that
demeans, defames or harasses them
2.2 - act with regard for needs, special competencies
and obligations of their colleagues in psych and
other professions
2.3 - when disagreeing with colleague - refrain from
making intemperate criticism
2.4 - objective and respective manner - when commenting on competencies, qualifications etc.
2.5 - respect confidentiality and propriety rights when reviewing grant or research proposals or material for publication

A.3 : INFORMED CONSENT

3. 1 - fully inform clients about services they intend to provide - unless explicit exception has been agreed upon in advance OR NOT reasonable possible to obtain informed consent
4. 2 - provide info using plain language

3.3 - Ensure consent is informed by:
nature and purpose of procedures, risks, adverse effects, possible disadvantages of procedures, how info will be stored, collected and recorded, stored for how long, where, who will have access to info, may declien or withdraw from methods proposed, foreseable consequences should they decline or withdraw from proposed procedures, clarifying frequency, expected duration, financial and administrative basis of psych services, confidentiality and limits to confidentiality, the conditions under which psych services may be terminated

3.4 - obtain informed consent unless not required because of
- permitted by law
- National Health and Medical Research Council or
other appropriate ethics committee has waived
requirement in respect of research
3.5 - obtain and document informed consent from
clients prior using psych procedures that entail
physical contact with clients
3.6 - where capacity to give consent is limited - obtain
consent of people with the legal authority and
attempt to obtain clients consent as far as
practically possible
3.7 -

A.4 PRIVACY
Avoid undue invasion of privacy in collection of info.
a. collecting info relevant only to service provided

 b. not requiring supervisees or trainees to disclose 
 personal info - unless self disclosure is normal 
 expectation of training procedure and informed 
 consent has been obtained prior to training 

A.5 CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1 - safeguard the confidentiality of info obtained
a. make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in
collection, recording, accessing, storage,
dissemination and disposal of info

 b. take reasonable steps to protect confidentiality of 
      info after they leave work, or cease to provide 
      psychological services 

5.2 disclose confidential info under the following circumstances:

a. with consent of client
b. legal obligation to do so
c. immediate and specified risk of harm to an identifiable person or persons that can be averted only by disclosing info.
d. when consulting colleagues/supervision/training:
i. conceal identity of clients and associated parties
ii. obtain clients consent, gives prior notice to recipients
of info to keep info private

5. 3 inform clients at the OUTSET of the PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP and as regularly thereafter as reasonably necessary of:
   a. limits to confidentiality
   b. foreseeable uses of info generated

5.4 disclose only info relevant to disclosure and people who need to know

5. 5 only use info for other purpose than what it was intended for:
   a. with consent of client
   b. if information is de-identified and used in process of duly approved research
   c. when use is required or authorised by or under law

A.6 RELEASE OF INFO TO CLIENTS
do not refuse reasonable request from clients to access client info for which psych is responsible

A.7 COLLECTION OF CLIENT INFORMATION FROM ASSOCIATED PARTIES

7. 1 prior to collecting info on client from associated party, obtain consent of client
8. 2 for clients who cannot give informed consent - obtain informed consent for collection of info from person will legal authority for client - and attempt to obtain consent from client as far as practically possible
9. 3
10. 4 - prior to collecting info from associated party, ensure clients consent for obtaining info from associated party by:
    a. identifying sources from which they intend to collect info
    b. explaining the nature and purpose of info they intend collecting
    c. stating how info will be collected
    d. indicating how info will be stored, how, where and for how long, and who will have access
    e. advising clients that they may decline the request to collect info from a third party - or withdraw their consent
    f. explain reasonable foreseeable consequences if they decline to give consent
    g. explaining associated party’s right to confidentiality and limits thereof
    h. other relevant info.
11. 5 prior to collecting info from associated party, obtain the associated parties consent to collect info from them by:
    a. providing the party with demonstrable evidence that client had given consent for collection of such info
    b. explaining the nature and purpose of info they intend collecting
    c. stating how info will be collected
    d. indicating how info will be stored, how, where and for how long, and who will have access
    e. advising clients that they may decline the request to collect info from a third party - or withdraw their consent
    f. explain reasonable foreseeable consequences if they decline to give consent
    g. explaining associated party’s right to confidentiality and limits thereof
    h. other relevant info.

Question 11

Explanatory statement on General principle B: Propriety

Answer 11

• practice within limits of competence
• know and understand the legal, ethical, organisational rules that regulate the psychological services they provide
• undertake continuing professional development
• takes steps to ensure they remain competent to practice
• strive to be aware of possible effect of own physical and mental health on ability to practice competently
• anticipate foreseeable consequences of professional decisions
• provide services that are beneficial to people and do not harm them
• take responsibility for their professional decisions

Question 12

What are the standards of general principle “B: Propriety” ?

Answer 12

B.1 COMPETENCE
1.1 bring and maintain appropriate skills and learning to area of practice

1.2 provide psych services within boundaries of
professional practice. Includes:
a. working within limits of education, training,
supervised experience and appropriate professional
experience
b. basing service on established discipline of
psychology
c. adhering to code and guidelines
d. complying with law or jurisdiction in which they
provide psych services
e. ensuring that emotional, mental and physical state
does not impair their ability to provide competent
psych services

1. 3 - to maintain appropriate levels of professional competence, seek professional supervision or consultation as required
2. 4 - continuously monitor professional functioning. if they become aware of problems that may impair their ability to provide competent psych services, they take appropriate measures:

a. obtain professional advice about whether they should limit, suspend or terminate the provision of the psychological services
b. taking action in accordance with psychs registration legislation
c. refraining, if necessary, from undertaking that psych service

B.2 RECORD KEEPING

2. 1 - make and keep adequate records
3. 2 - keep records for minimum of 7 years since last client contact - unless legal of organisational requirements specify otherwise
4. 3 - when client was less than 18 old when records collected, retain records until the client turns 25
5. 4 - do not refuse any reasonable request to amend inaccurate info for which they have a professional responsibility

B.4 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
provide psych services in a responsible manner.
a. act with care and skill expected of a competent psych
b. take responsibility for reasonably foreseeable consequences of their conduct
c. take reasonable steps to prevent harm occurring as a result of their conduct
d. provide psych services only for period when services are necessary to client
e. personally responsible for the professional decisions they make
f. aware of, take steps to establish and maintain proper professional boundaries with clients and colleagues
g. regularly review the contractual arrangements with clients, where circumstances change, make relevant modifications as necessary with the informed consent of the client

B.4 PROVISION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES TO A THIRD PARTY
- psychs who agree to provide psych services to an individual, group of ppl, systemm, community or organisation at the REQUEST OF A THIRD PARTY, at the OUTSET explain to all parties concerned:
a. nature of relationship with each of them
b. psychs role (e.g. case manager, consultant,
counsellor, facilitator, supervisor, teacher, therapist)
c. probable uses of info obtained
d. limits to confidentiality
e. financial arrangements relating to provision of
services where relevant

B.5 PROVISION OF PSYCH SERVICES TO MULTIPLE CLIENTS
- psychs who agree to provide psych services to MULTIPLE CLIENTS:
a. explain to each client the limits to confidentiality in
advance
b. give clients opportunity to consider limitations of
situation
c. obtain client’s explicit acceptance of these
limitations
d. ensure as far as possible, no client is coerced to
accept these limitation

B.6 DELEGATION OF PROFESSIONAL TASKS
- psychs who delegate tasks to assistants, employees, junior colleagues or supervisees that involve provision of psych services:
a. take reasonable steps to ensure delegates are
aware of provisions of this code relevant to task
b. take reasonable steps to ensure the delegate is not
in a multiple relationship that may impair delegates
judgement
c. take reasonable steps to ensure that delegates
conduct does not place clients or other parties to
psych service at risk of harm, or lead to exploitation
of clients or other parties
d. take reasonable steps to ensure that delegates are
competent to undertake tasks assigned to them
e. oversee delegates to ensure that they perform
tasks competently

B.7 USE OF INTERPRETERS

a. take reasonable steps to ensure interpreters are competent to work as interpreters in relevant context
b. take reasonable steps to ensure no multiple relationship with client that may impair interpreters judgement
c. take reasonable steps to ensure the interpreter will keep confidential the existence and content of psych service
d. take reasonable steps to ensure the interpreter is aware of any other relevant provisions of this Code
e. obtain informed consent form client to use selected interpreter

B.8 COLLABORATING WITH OTHERS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CLIENTS

8. 1 - to benefit, enhance and promote interests of clients, psychs cooperate with other professionals when it is professionally appropriate and necessary in order to provide effective and efficient psychological services for clients
9. 2 - psychs offer practical assistance to clients who would like a second opinion

B.9 - ACCEPTING CLIENTS OF OTHER PROFESSIONALS
- If person seeks a psychological service from a psych whilst already receiving a similar service from another professional, then the psychologist will:
a. consider all the reasonably foreseeable
implications of becoming involved
b. take into accouter the welfare of the person
c. act with caution and sensitivity to all parties
concerned

B.10 SUSPENSION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
10.1 - make suitable arrangements for other appropriate
professionals to be available to meet the
emergency needs of clients during periods of psych’s foreseeable absence

10.2 - where necessary and with clients consent, make specific arrangements for other appropriate professionals to consult with client during periods of psychs foreseeable absence

B.11 TERMINATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
11.1 - Psychs terminate psych services with a client, if its reasonably clear that client is not benefiting from service

11. 2 - when terminating, shall have due regard for psych processes inherent in services being provided, and psychological wellbeing of client
12. 3 - make reasonable arrangements for continuity of service provision
13. 4 - make reasonable arrangements for continuity of service provision for clients who financial position does not allow them to continue
14. 5 - when confronted with evidence of a problem or situation with which they are not competent to deal, or when client not benefiting from psychological services -
    a. provide clients with explanation of need for termination
    b. take reasonable steps to safeguard client’s ongoing welfare
    c. offer to help client locate alternative sources of assistance
15. 6 - psychs whose employment, health or other factors cause early terminations:
    a. provide clients with explanation of need for termination
    b. take all reasonable steps to safeguard clients ongoing welfare
    c. offer to help clients locate alternative sources of assistance

B.12 CONFLICTING DEMANDS

12. 1 - where demands of organisation require psych to violate the general principles, values or standards set out in this code:
    a. clarify nature of conflict between demands and these principles and standards
    b. inform all parties of their ethical responsibilities as psychs
    c. seek a constructive resolution of conflict that upholds principles of code
    d. consult a senior psych

12.2 -

B.13 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS

13. 1 - use established scientific procedures to observe relevant psychometric standards when they develop and standardise psych tests and other assessment techniques
14. 2 - specify the purposes and uses of their assessment techniques, clearly indicate the limits of the assessment techniques’ applicability
15. 3 - ensure that they choose, administer and interpret procedures appropriately and accurately
16. 4 - use valid procedures and research findings when scoring and interpreting psychological assessment data
17. 5 - report assessment results appropriately and accurately in language the recipient can understand
18. 6 - do not compromise the effective use of psychological assessment techniques, nor render them open to misuse, by publishing or otherwise disclosing their contents to persons unauthorised or unqualified to receive such information

B.14 RESEARCH
14.1 - comply with codes, statements, guidelines and other directives developed jointly or independently by National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council, or Universities Australia regarding research with humans and animals applicable at the time research is conducted

14.2 - After research results are published or become publicly available, psychs make data on which conclusions are based available to other competent professionals who seek to verify the substantive claims through reanalysis, provided that:
a. data will be sued only for the purpose stated in
approved research proposal
b. identity of participants is removed

14.3 - accurately report the data they have gathered and results of research, and state clearly if any data on which the publication is based have been published previously.

Question 13

What is contained in the explanatory statement of General principle “C: Integrity”?

Answer 13

• recognise that their position of trust requires them to be honest and objective in professional dealings
• committed to the best interests of their clients, the profession and their colleagues
• aware of own biases, limits to objectivity and importance of maintaining professional boundaries with clients
• identify and avoid potential conflicts of interest
• refrain from exploiting clients and associated parties

Question 14

What are the standards of general principle “C: Integrity”?

Answer 14

C.1 REPUTABLE BEHAVIOUR

1. 1 - avoid engaging in disreputable conduct that reflect on their ability to practice as a psych
2. 2 - avoid engaging in disreputable conduct that reflects negatively on the profession or discipline of psychology

C.2 COMMUNICATION

2.1 - communicate honestly in the context of their psychological work
2.2 - take reasonable steps to correct any misrepresentation made by them or about them in their professional capacity within a reasonable time after becoming aware of misrepresentation
2.3 - statement made by psychologists in announcing or advertising the availability of psych services, products, or publications, must not contain:
a. any statement that is false, fraudulent, misleading
or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive
b. testimonials or endorsements that are solicited in
exchange for remuneration or have the potential to
exploit clients
c. any statement claiming or implying superiority over
others
d. any statement likely to create false or unjustified
expectations of favorable results
e. any statement intended to likely appeal to client’s
fears, anxieties or emotions concerning the possible
results of failure to obtain the offered services
f. any claim unjustifiably stating or implying that the
psych uses exclusive or superior apparatus, methods
or materials
g. any statement which is vulgar, sensational or
otherwise such as would bring, tend to bring, the
psych or profession into disrepute

2. 4 - use accurate postnominals, including postnominals used to represent their grade of membership with the Society
3. 5 - take any reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions held by client about the psych’s professional competencies

C.3 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3.1 - refrain from engaging in multiple relationships that may:
a. impair the competence, effectiveness, objectivity
or ability to render a psychological service
b. harm clients or other parties to a psychological
services
c. lead to the exploitation of clients or other parties to
a psychological service
3.2 - if at risk of violating 3.1, consult with senior psych to attempt to find appropriate resolution that is in best interest of parties
3.3 - when entering into a multiple relationship is unavoidable due to over-riding ethical considerations, organisational requirements, or law, psychs at the outset of professional relationship, and thereafter where necessary, adhere to provisions of A.3 Informed consent
3.4 - declare any vested interests in psychological services delivered, including all relevant funding, licencing and royalty interests

C.4 NON-EXPLOITATION

4. 1 - do not exploit people with whom they have or had a professional relationship
5. 2 - do not exploit their relationships with assistants, employees, colleagues or supervisees
6. 3 -
   a. do not engage in sexual activity with client or anybody who is closely related to one of their clients
   b. do not engage in sexual activity with a former client or anybody who is closely related to one of their former clients, within 2 years after terminating the professional relationship
   c. who want to engage in a sexual activity with former clients after 2 years, first explore with a senior psychologists the possibility that the former client may be vulnerable and at risk of exploitation, and encourage the former client to seek independent counselling on the matter
   d. do not accept as a client a person with whom they have engaged in sexual activity

C.5 AUTHORSHIP

5. 1 - discuss authorship with research collaborators, assistants and students as early as feasible and through research process as necessary
6. 2 - assign authorship in a manner that reflects work performed and the contribution made is a fair reflection of the work people have actually performed or of what they have actually contributed
7. 3 - usually list the student as principal author on any multiple-authored article that is substantially based on the student’s dissertation or thesis
8. 4 - obtain the consent of people before identifying them as contributors to the published or presented material

C.6 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

6. 1 - honest in their financial dealings
7. 2 - make proper financial arrangements with clients /third parties where relevant:
   a. make advance financial arrangements that safeguard best interests of, clearly understood by, all parties to the psychological service
   b. avoid financial arrangements which may adversely influence the psych services provided
8. 3 - do not receive any remuneration, or give remuneration for referring clients to, or accepting referrals from, other professionals for professional services

C.7 - ETHICS INVESTIGATIONS AND CONCERNS
7.1 - Cooperate with ethics investigations and proceedings instituted by society and statutory bodies charged by legislation to investigate complaints against psychologists
7.2 - psychs who reasonably suspect another psych is acting in a manner consistent with Code:
a. where appropriate draw the attention of the psych
whose conduct is in question directly, or indirectly
through a senior psych, to the actions that they are
thought to be in breach of the Code, and cite the
section of the Code which may have been breached
b. encourage people directly affected by such
behaviour to report the conduct to a relevant
regulatory body or the Ethics Committee or Society,
or
c. report the conduct to a relevant regulatory body or
the Ethics Committee of the Society
7.3 - do not lodge, or endorse the lodging, of trivial, vexatious or unsubstantiated ethical complaints against colleagues