APS Code of Ethics PDF

Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics file:///C:/Users/sarah/OneDrive/Documents/UNIVERSITY/Sem%202,%202024/PSYU339 9%20--%20PACE/APS%20Code-of-Ethics.pdf General Principle A: Respect the rights...

Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics file:///C:/Users/sarah/OneDrive/Documents/UNIVERSITY/Sem%202,%202024/PSYU339 9%20--%20PACE/APS%20Code-of-Ethics.pdf General Principle A: Respect the rights and dignity of people A.1. Justice psychologists should not engage in any form of discrimination; A.2. Respect For clients: no behaviours that could be perceived as coercive or demeaning Respects legal & moral rights of others Toward other colleagues: respectful, professional, confidential, respect proprietary rights. A.3. Informed consent Fully inform clients regarding psychological services they intend to provide Use plain language Provides practical guidelines for how to ensure informed consent Guidelines for when clients do not have the capacity to consent A.4. Privacy No undue invasion of privacy Collect only relevant information not requiring supervisees or trainees to disclose their personal information A.5. Confidentiality legal and organisational requirements, psychologists: (a) make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the collection, recording, accessing, storage, dissemination, and disposal of information; and (b) take steps to protect the confidentiality of information after they leave a specific work setting, or cease to provide psychological services. A 5.2 — Only disclose information about a client: With consent of client When legally obliged Immediate, specified risk of harm to an identifiable person or persons that can ONLY be averted by disclosure When consulting colleagues or in professional supervision or training BUT MUST conceal the identity of the client or get consent. Recipients of knowledge must agree to confidentiality. A.5.3 Psychologists inform clients at the beginning and regularly throughout (a) limits to confidentiality; (b) the uses of the information A.5.4. disclose only that information which is necessary & only to people required A.6. Release of information to clients do not refuse any reasonable request from clients to access client information A.7. Collection of client information from associated parties Consent of client or their legal representative clients whose capacity to give informed consent is impaired or limited, obtain the informed consent of people with legal authority to act on behalf of the client Guidelines for how to prepare for and proceed with information collection  General Principle B: Propriety B.1. Competence maintain appropriate skills and learning Practice within boundaries of professional competence Professional supervision & consultation Self monitor professional functioning B.2. Record keeping Keep for 7 years For clients under 18 keep records till they are 25 Clients have the right to amend inaccurate information B.3. Professional responsibility provide services in a responsible manner. (a) act with the care and skill expected of them (b) take responsibility for the consequences of their conduct (c) take steps to prevent harm occurring as a result of their conduct; (d) provide a psychological service only for the period when those services are necessary to the client; (e) are personally responsible for the professional decisions they make B.4. Provision of psychological services at the request of a third party explains to all parties (a) the nature of the relationship (b) the psychologist’s role (e.g. case manager, consultant, forensic assessor, supervisor, teacher/educator, therapist) (c) the uses of the information obtained (d) the limits to confidentiality (e) the financial arrangements relating to the provision of the service where relevant. B.5. Provision of psychological services to multiple clients (a) explain limits to confidentiality in advance; (b) give clients an opportunity to consider the limitations of the situation; (c) obtain clients’ explicit acceptance of these limitations (d) ensure that no client is coerced to accept these limitations. B.6. Delegation of professional tasks Delegates must have read code Ensure no multiple relationships between delegates and clients does not place clients at risk of harm Oversee delegates to ensure that they perform tasks competently. B.7. Use of interpreters competent to work as interpreters in the relevant context B.8. Collaborating with others for the benefit of clients Cooperate with other professionals where appropriate and necessary to provide effectual service to clients Offer second opinions B.9. Accepting clients of other professionals B.10. Suspension of psychological services make suitable arrangements for other appropriate professionals B.11. Termination of psychological services Client no longer benefiting from services Well-being of client is paramount When client needs greater expertise than you can provide B.12. Conflicting demands Guidelines for resolution of this situation B.13. Psychological assessments Use quality instruments/measures make clear to clients the limitations of the measures/techniques Score and report accurately B.14. Research Comply with NH&MRC, ARC, Universities Australia research codes, statements, guidelines and other directives; Make data available on request Report data accurately State previous publication of any data clearly  General Principle C: Integrity C.1. Reputable behaviour Don’t bring self into disrepute Don’t bring profession into disrepute C.2. Communication Honesty Correct any misrepresentations/misconceptions Guidelines for advertising Accurately portray professional qualification C.3. Conflict of interest Avoid multiple relationships that impair professional practice Seek advice from senior psychologist if unsure If multiple relationships are unavoidable, carefully follow all informed consent guidelines at A.3 Declare to clients any vested interests in the psychological services they deliver C.4. Non-exploitation do not exploit people with whom they have or had a professional relationship. do not exploit their relationships with their assistants, employees, colleagues or supervisees. C.5. Authorship Discuss early Assigned according to contribution Student’s rights Consent of contributors C.6. Financial arrangements Honest Clear Safeguard the best interests of, and are clearly understood, by all parties avoid financial arrangements which may adversely influence the psychological services provided No money charged for referrals C.7. Ethics investigations and concerns Cooperate with any investigations If you suspect a colleague of misconduct cite the section of the Code that was breached encourage people directly affected by such behaviour to report the misconduct Psychologists do not lodge unsubstantiated ethical complaints against colleagues.  Psychologists: (a) do not engage in sexual activity with a 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 two years after terminating the professional relationship with the former client; (c) who wish to engage in sexual activity with former clients after a period of 2 years from the termination of the service, first explore with a senior psychologist 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; and (d) do not accept as a client a person with whom they have engaged in sexual activity. Clients who are having sexual relations with their counsellor often feel/experience: Identity disturbances Ambivalence toward their counselor Loss of trust Guilt Isolated Sexual confusion Empty Unstable mood Have thought disturbances, Suppressed rage disturbances to cognitive functions Are at greatly increased suicide risk.