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Code of Behaviours

 

1. Professionalism and Integrity

  • Maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity and fairness in all professional activities.

  • Accurately represent qualifications, experience, and scope of practice.

  • Avoid conflicts of interest and declare any potential conflict promptly.

  • Do not engage in any behaviour that may bring the profession into disrepute.

 

2. Commitment to Service Users

  • Treat all service users with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

  • Act in the best interests of service users at all times.

  • Provide evidence-based, person-centred assessment and intervention.

  • Adapt communication methods to meet the needs, culture, language, and preferences of each individual.

  • Ensure informed consent is obtained for all assessments, interventions, and sharing of information.

  • Respect the right of service users to be involved in decisions about their care.

 

3. Safeguarding and Protection

  • Prioritise the safety and welfare of children and adults at risk.

  • Report all safeguarding concerns promptly in line with local safeguarding procedures.

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

  • Avoid any behaviour that may be perceived as abusive, exploitative, discriminatory, or inappropriate.

 

4. Confidentiality and Data Protection

  • Protect all personal, clinical, and sensitive data in accordance with GDPR, HCPC standards, and information-governance best practice.

  • Share information only when there is informed consent, a legal requirement, or a safeguarding necessity.

  • Store records securely and dispose of them responsibly according to legal retention requirements.

 

5. Competence and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

  • Work only within the limits of your competence, knowledge, and training.

  • Seek supervision, consultation, or onward referral where appropriate.

  • Maintain, update, and evidence professional skills through ongoing CPD.

  • Critically evaluate new evidence, resources, and interventions to ensure safe and effective practice.

 

6. Communication and Collaboration

  • Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with clients, families, carers, colleagues, and other professionals.

  • Promote collaborative, multidisciplinary working where appropriate.

  • Provide accurate, timely, and accessible reports and documentation.

 

7. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

  • Treat all individuals fairly regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.

  • Challenge discrimination, harassment, or inequality wherever encountered.

  • Ensure services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive.

 

8. Professional Boundaries

  • Maintain clear, appropriate boundaries and avoid dual relationships that may impair professional judgment.

  • Do not develop personal, social, financial, or romantic relationships with service users or their families.

  • Use social media and digital communication responsibly, maintaining separation between personal and professional roles.

 

9. Record Keeping and Documentation

  • Keep accurate, contemporaneous, and comprehensive records of all clinical contacts.

  • Document consent, assessment outcomes, therapy plans, progress, and risk information.

  • Ensure that reports and correspondence are clear, factual, and appropriate for the intended audience.

 

10. Business Ethics and Clinical Governance

  • Provide transparent information about fees, terms, cancellation policies, and service processes.

  • Be accountable for the quality of your service and engage in regular audit or service evaluation.

  • Maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

  • Adhere to statutory and regulatory requirements for independent practice.

 

11. Behaviour in the Community and Online

  • Uphold professional standards in all public settings, including online spaces.

  • Avoid posting or sharing content that could damage professional credibility or violate confidentiality.

  • Represent the profession positively in all forms of communication.

 

 

12. Complaints, Feedback, and Incident Reporting

  • Respond to concerns or complaints promptly, fairly, and transparently.

  • Encourage feedback to support service quality improvement.

  • Report serious incidents or professional concerns in accordance with HCPC and local procedures.

 

 

Last review: 13th January 2026
Policy owner: Suzanne Turner, BMedSci (Hons), MRCSLT, Reg HCPC

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