Ethics Committee Members
Key Responsibilities of the Ethics
Committee, Person Specification and
Terms of Appointment
April 2014
Key responsibilities of the Ethics Committee

To promote ethical practice through appropriate means, such as conferences,
seminars, workshops and publications (both published and online).

To respond to requests for an opinion from UKCP boards, committees, colleges,
faculties, organisational and individual members on current best practice in relation to
ethics and ethical considerations, including probity and legislation.

To oversee, review and maintain the UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of
Professional Conduct and the associated policy, guidance and standards. This will
be in relation to information from within the psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic
counselling profession, and with reference to other relevant professional areas and
the broader field of mental health and healthcare, including the law.

To consult and comment on particular ethical developments and policies, as
requested by the Board of Trustees.

To independently initiate and offer comment on (for consideration by the Board of
Trustees) ethical issues implicit in topical matters currently under public
consideration.

To offer thought and comment (but not legal advice or guidance) on ethical queries
received from UKCP members (individual, organisational or from colleges/faculties).

To disseminate lessons-learned and common themes arising from ethical queries.

To keep the Chair of UKCP updated with the current and future work and plans of the
committee.

To annually agree and submit the EC work plan and Budget to the Finance
Committee, and to regularly monitor the EC budget and progress of the EC work
plan.

To communicate effectively with UKCP’s members (individual and organisational),
colleges and faculties in relation to ethical developments, practice and education via
conferences, seminars, workshops and publications (both published and on line).

To undertake such consultations, research and projects as are congruent with the
effective maintenance and development of UKCP’s ethical framework.

To liaise with the UKCP Professional Conduct Committee (the body that delivers the
Complaints and Conduct Process) and make effective use of the information
received in its work to maintain and develop the UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of
Professional Conduct and the UKCP’s broader ethical framework.

To contribute to the effective integration of ethics into the training and Continual
Professional Development (CPD) systems supported within UKCP structures.
Person Specification
In your written application, please give evidence of examples of proven experience against
each of the selection criteria listed in Part One of the person specification. These responses
will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with the
other criteria listed in Part Two and Part Three.
Part One
Knowledge and Experience

A background in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
o as a professional ethicist, who has had formal training in ethical thinking and
decision-making
o as a legal professional (although not necessarily as a lawyer)
o as a faith representative who offers a perspective on the impact of religious
belief on ethical decision-making
o as a user of psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic counselling
o as a clinician
o with a philosophical background, or applied philosophy in practice
o with a psychology background
o with experience of disability therapy

Appreciation of and interest in key ethical theories and approaches; specific
knowledge and understanding of ethical principles and how they apply to
psychotherapy is highly desirable although not essential.

Experience of applying ethical principles to specific contexts and situations is
desirable.

Experience of working collaboratively and across disciplines in a relevant setting is
essential; direct experience of working in a relevant ethics committee role is
desirable.

Experience of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

Understands the role of the Committee and has a track record of accepting and
supporting the views of others / the majority.
Part Two
Skills and Abilities

Able to think critically and take a thoughtful approach to complex ethical matters.

High analytical capacity, with the ability to hold in mind and attend to multiple
positions in relation to complex ethical matters.

Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to
communicate complex information simply and succinctly.

Proven team-working skills; able to support others, work with UKCP staff at all levels
and have regard and respect for the views of others.

Good IT skills and able to use IT-based communication for committee business.
Part Three
Personal Style and Behaviours

Open to, and respectful of, the views of others.

Has integrity and takes responsibility for own actions.

Sound judgement.

Comfortable making challenging and complex decisions in the context of strong
and/or controversial opinions and feelings.

Strong personal commitment to the principles and promotion of equality and diversity.
Terms of Appointment
Time commitment
The Ethics Committee meets for a minimum of 4 meetings per annum. It is expected that
members will make a commitment to attend all 4 of the meetings each year and will be
available for one day a month to attend to work arising from the Committee – for example,
working groups, correspondence, practice guidance.
Location
Meetings generally take place at UKCP’s London office, based in Islington. It will be possible
to attend some meetings by teleconference.
Remuneration
These roles are unremunerated although appropriate expenses will be reimbursed in line
with UKCP’s expenses policy.
Length of appointment
The term of office for members of the Ethics Committee is three years.
Diversity and Equal Opportunities
UKCP aims to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applications, regardless
of political belief, gender and gender identity, sexual preference or orientation, disability,
marital or partnership status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, heritage identity, religious or
spiritual identity, age or socio-economic class of individuals and groups.