These principles can be used alongside the Working ethically within relationships and Core responsibilities sections of the Ethical Framework, to enable us to form an ethical rationale and make ethical decisions in our practice.
The principles underpinning all therapeutic services are:
- confidentiality: maintain the privacy of all information shared in the context of our work, only disclosing it with the service user’s consent, or when required or permitted by law, or as set out within the Core responsibilities
- honesty: being truthful
- transparency: ensure people are fully aware of what services are being offered, the qualification of those offering the service, any changes to the service provision and any risks, benefits and alternatives that may be available
- do no harm: do no harm to people using our services, which includes avoiding actions that may cause physical, psychological, or emotional harm
- best interest: act in the best interest of those using our services by promoting their wellbeing and taking positive steps to help them and prioritising their needs
- respect: respect the right of those using our services to make their own decisions and support their ability to act independently, wherever possible
- fairness: treat all clients fairly and in line with equality law obligations, providing equitable and inclusive access to services
- anti-oppression: be aware of relational power dynamics, ensuring relational power imbalances do not create or lead to marginalisation or minoritisation
- trust: ensure all our actions are based on, and informed by, a commitment to trust
- collaboration: wherever possible, work in partnership with people to agree how we will work together
- compassion: hold compassion and kindness at the core of all our work
- integrity: be transparent and ethical in our dealings with others
These principles are embedded within, and informed by, the Core responsibilities and Working ethically within relationships sections of the Ethical Framework.