Psychologists' Legal and Professional Obligations Quiz

Psychologists’ professional practice = Impacted upon and governed by a range of legislation and regulation HCPC Registration = A statutory requirement for all psychologists wishing to practice using one of the titles protected by the HCPC Membership of a union = Advised for psychologists to ensure they have access to appropriate representation, support and legal advice Unregistered psychologists = May commit an offence by offering services to the public in any of the domains regulated by the HCPC

Being aware of the legislation and guidelines = Psychologists Registration for practicing using protected titles = Psychologists Providing representation, support and legal advice = Union or similar body Regulating the practice of psychologists = HCPC

It is a statutory requirement for all psychologists wishing to practice using one of the titles protected by the HCPC to register with the HCPC = Unregistered psychologists may commit an offence by offering services Psychologists’ professional practice is impacted upon and governed by a range of legislation and regulation = Psychologists need to be aware of the legislation and guidelines Psychologists are advised to consider membership of a union or similar body = They can get representation, support and legal advice Unregistered psychologists offering services to the public in any of the domains regulated by the HCPC may commit an offence = Registration with HCPC is necessary

Freedom of Information Act = Recorded information held by public authorities Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 = Duty of employers to ensure health, safety and welfare at work Mental Capacity Act 2005 = Framework for capacity and consent for individuals aged 16 years and above Mental Health Act 1983 as amended 2007 = Allows compulsory action for people with mental disorders

Principle i = Assumption of capacity unless established otherwise Principle ii = Not treating a person as unable to make a decision unless all steps to help him have failed Principle iv = Acts or decisions made must be in the best interests of the person who lacks capacity Principle v = Consideration of less restrictive ways to achieve the purpose of the act or decision

Principle i = Least restrictive option and maximising independence Principle ii = Empowerment and involvement Principle iii = Respect and dignity Principle v = Efficiency and equity

Freedom of Information Act = England, Wales and Northern Ireland Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 = Scotland Mental Capacity Act 2005 = England and Wales Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 = Northern Ireland

Equality Act 2010 = Promotes equality and prevents discrimination based on nine protected characteristics Data Protection Act 1998 = Defines personal and sensitive personal data, provides a framework for proper data handling Freedom of Information Act 2000 = Provides public access to information held by public authorities Health Care and Associated Professions (Indemnity Arrangements) Order 2014 = Makes it mandatory for health professionals to have a professional indemnity arrangement

Professional competence = Maintenance of high standards of competence, working within recognised limits of knowledge and skills Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks = Required for psychologists working with children or in healthcare to demonstrate a satisfactory criminal records check Professional indemnity insurance = Mandatory for health professionals to have in place, can be achieved either through the employer or a privately arranged policy Data protection = Ensuring appropriate security to prevent any personal data held from being accidentally or deliberately compromised

Protected characteristics = Factors such as age, disability, gender reassignment, etc. protected under the Equality Act 2010 Technical and practical skills = Skills required for psychologists to maintain in their practice Negligence claim = A claim that may be covered by an employer’s insurance Data controller = Role independent practitioners may need to register as with the Information Commissioner’s Office