The South African Association for Counsellors

Code of Ethics

 

• Retain a high level of competence in the interest of the counselling profession and the public in general;
• Ensure that public statements are directed at the provision of information in an attempt to assist individuals to make informed decisions in general. Such statements must be objective, qualified and accurate;
• Respect colleagues and individuals in the professional and counselling sphere. Conflicts in evaluation, training procedures, direction and loyalty shall be clearly defined to encourage freedom of participation;
• Be aware of the influence of personal morals, ethics, values and norms on the quality of service;
• Guarantee the confidentiality of personal information acquired during counselling or instruction and regard all disclosures as privileged;
• Acknowledge the requirements, competence and responsibilities of colleagues and other professional organisations;
• Terminate counselling as soon as it becomes apparent that no professional contribution can be made as a consequence of a lack of special knowledge or personal limitation;
• Refer a client to a designated specialist in circumstances which reasonably require such referral;
• Decline further counselling where a client refuses to recognise a reasonable referral for specialist attention;
• Undertake research while protecting and recognising the welfare, dignity and respect of the participant.