Ethical Code Guidance Final
IAPT
Ethical Codes for Non- Professionally Affiliated Staff
Guidance
The Issue
Trainees and newly qualified High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing
Practitioners, are being supervised both by universities and services before they are
accredited with professional bodies. A question has arisen about their accountability
and responsibility during this period, particularly in relation to the responsibility of the
supervisors. An ad hoc process has been advised in some areas in relation to High
Intensity Therapists that they join the BABCP as members, in order that they are
‘covered’ by the BABCP code of ethics. It is clear that this is not being taken up
consistently. This issue was taken to the IAPT Clinical Advisors meeting on 14th July
and the following is a summary of the advice received and agreed there.
Key Points
1. Where a member of a ‘core’ profession is newly professionally qualified as a
psychotherapist, for instance in the case of a nurse, they will still be expected
to adhere to the ethical standards and processes of their professional body,
e.g. the NMC, providing they are still registered with that body. So the issue is
more one for people who do not have a ‘core’ profession. In IAPT, this will
include people who have gone through the ‘KSA’ process for High Intensity
training and PWPs, where there are greater numbers of people who are not
professionally affiliated.
2. The employer has a code of conduct to which it will expect all its employees to
adhere, irrespective of their professional affiliations; it is therefore important
that this is specified in the job descriptions of all staff: trainees, newly qualified
staff and supervisors.
3. Where there is shared responsibility for supervision between universities and
services, a clear supervision contract should be in place outlining any
differences in the two roles.
4. Supervision contracts should include a statement requiring all supervisees to
have compliance with an ethical code. (See Annex 2 for BABCP example).
5. Supervision expectations are clearly identified in module 1 of High Intensity
training and in module 3 of the PWP curriculum. It may be appropriate to
highlight this earlier in PWP training.
6. Every practitioner should take personal responsibility to take out personal
indemnity insurance.
Ethical Code Guidance Final
7. HEI's also expect students to adhere to reasonable standards of behaviour
and conduct. There should be guidance from individual institutions but
national guidance on codes of behaviour and conduct for students from
regulators, such as GMC and HPC, also exist. All HEIs will have a student
disciplinary process and usually a Fitness to Practice process to deal with
complaints against individual students registered on professional training
courses with the HEI. It is important that any action taken against a student is
co-ordinated with any disciplinary action also undertaken by the student’s
employer, so as to avoid double jeopardy situations. Training courses ought to
have clear guidance about these matters which are freely available to
students via course handbooks etc.
Actions Agreed
1. Each IAPT job description should include a line on the importance of adhering
to the employer’s Code of Conduct.
2. A supervision contract should be in place between services and universities.
3. The contract should state the requirement for supervisees to have compliance
with an Ethical Code.
4. This issue should be addressed for clarification in induction and early on in
training.
Annex 1
BABCP example.
20.3.11 RH/AC/GT
Ethical Code Guidance Final
Supervision Agreement Template Between ……………………….. &
……………………….
Confidentiality
All professional and clinical issues discussed are confidential and are not to be discussed outside
the supervision session. The exceptions to this are where professional malpractice may be
evident, or if requested to release information by a Court of Law, Coroners Office or Professional
Body.
All cases or professionals discussed during supervision must be made anonymous.
Where tape recording of session’s takes place this must be agreed with and have the informed
consent of the service user, carer or professional. Arrangements must also be made to
destroy/wipe any recordings. The supervisee is responsible for ensuring this process is followed.
Comments
Content of supervision
Content of supervision will focus on the acquisition of knowledge, conceptualisation and clinical
skills within a cognitive behavioural model (s).
Associated issues will also be discussed when it is relevant to do so e.g. medication,
hospitalisation, case management.
Identification (and collaborative change of these if appropriate) of supervisee thoughts, attitudes,
beliefs and values and the impact of these on therapeutic and professional behaviour.
Discussion and working through relationship and process aspects of supervision.
There will be an equal split between the time spend on each of the above in the time available.
Comments
Practicalities
One session each ………………… for …………….. hours/minutes
The venue the session (s) will take place at is …………………………..
The person responsible for booking the accommodation is ……………………..
Fees for Supervision are …………………………………..
Cancellation arrangements …………………………………
Supervision methods and content
Discussion of therapeutic relationship and engagement issues.
Case conceptualisation/formulation.
Rehearsal of therapeutic techniques e.g. simulation, role-play.
Discussion about therapeutic strategies.
Case Presentations.
Homework.
Review of audio and videotapes (at least one per month).
Direct observation of practice – at least once month per supervisee.
Identification of supervisee thoughts, attitudes, beliefs with exploration of the impact of these on
therapeutic and professional behaviour.
Review of risk and therapist/service user safety.
Review of clinical guidelines/manuals.
Review of psychoeducational material.
Experiential exercises.
Supervision Agreement Template Between ……………………….. &
……………………….
Other strategies as agreed.
Comments
Aims of Supervision
The primary focus of supervision is the welfare of the client through the supervisee’s learning process,
in terms of knowledge attainment, attitude refinement, and skills development.
Goals for supervision:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Comments
Anti Discriminatory practice
Practice will follow the policy of ……………………………………………... [employer/professional
Ethical Code Guidance Final
body]
Comments
Steps in the event of a breakdown in the arrangements for clinical CBT supervision
In the event of inappropriate behaviour by the supervisor/supervisee this should be discussed
together initially.………………... If this is unsuccessful or the behaviour is of a serious and immediate
nature then ………………………….. should be informed IMMEDIATELY.
In the unlikely event that the relationship between the supervisees and supervisor deteriorates, each
person is responsible for attempting to work together to resolve the problem.
Comments
Changes to this agreement and timescale
Changes to this agreement can be negotiated at any time.
This agreement covers the period ………………………………….
Signed ______________________ Supervisor __________________ Date _____________
Signed ______________________ Supervisee __________________ Date _____________
[With thanks to Michael Townend]
Please feel free to circulate and edit the document as you wish.