Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

drawn up by the Standing Liaison Committee
of Speech and Language Therapists in the European Community (CPLOL)

The maintenance of a high standard of ethical and professional conduct is essential to all those working in the field of speech and language therapy, both for the welfare of the clients/patients and for the reputation of the profession as a whole, The interpretation of what constitutes professional competence may vary with time, climate of opinion, individual countries and according to the circumstances of each particular case. However, it is believed that the following guidelines provide a framework for the proper exercise of the profession of speech and language therapy. At all times, the primary professional obligation for all speech and language therapists is the long-term welfare of their clients/patients.

1.1 Practising speech and language therapists should possess appropriate qualifïcations as recognised by the profession.

1.2 Speech and language therapists should have an adequate level of competence in the spoken and written form of the language in which they are practising.

1.3 Speech and language therapists should maintain and advance their knowledge and keep up with technical progress throughout their career in order to offer their clients/patients the best treatment available.

1.4 Speech and language therapists should limit or interrupt their professional activities where temporary impairment of professional competence may have damaging consequences for the client/patient or the profession.

1.5 Speech. and language therapists should respect the social, moral and legal norms of the society in which they work and recognise that deviation from these norms can affect the confidence of the public in the competence of the individual speech and language therapist and in the profession as a whole. They should therefore refrain from any action which might discredit themselves and the profession.

1.6 Speech and language therapists should offer the best possible treatment to their clients/patients and avoid exceeding their competence, referring to other professionals when this is necessary.

1.7 Speech and language therapists should not guarantee the effectiveness of any therapeutic procedure.

2.1 Speech and language therapists should uphold the dignity of the profession and conform to the profession's self-imposed standards.

2.2 The reputation of speech and language tberapists is founded on their competence and lntegrity. They should not therefore advertise or canvass for clients/patients by making laudatory statements concerning their own professional expertise.

2.3 Speech and language therapists should not be influenced by professional advancement and financial interests in the giving of treatment. They should not accept gifts, or any financial or other inducements that might influence their professional judgement.

2.4 It is not acceptable to receive committees, discounts or other forms of payment for the referral of clients/patients to other professionals

2.5 Speech and language therapists, who are involved in the promotion and development of materials, books or instruments for communication disorders, must present them in a professional and objective manner and not put personal gain above professional responsibility.

2.6 Speech and language therapists who work in official or private institutions should not accept rules or directives which interfere with or limit their professional independence and integrity and should support colleagues in the defence of their independence.

2.7 Wherever possible, qualified speech and language therapists should assist speech and language therapy students to achieve theoretical and practical professional competence.

2.8 Speech and language therapists should not collaborate in any way with persons practising illegal or inadequate speech therapy. Qualified speech and language therapists should not give, lend or sell material for diagnosis or therapy to unqualified persons.

2.9 Speech and language therapists should not, for reasons of personal gain, transfer to private practice clients/patients who are being assisted in a public institution.

2.10 Speech and language therapists should refrain from direct or indirect advertising. The reputation of speech and language therapists is based on their competence and integrity. Any notice in a directory or on a plaque should give only name, surname, professional title and (optionally) area of specialisation, dates and times for appointments and telephone number.

3.1 Speech and language therapists’ primary responsibility is the long-term welfare of their clients/patients.

3.2 Speech and language therapists must not discriminate on the grounds of social standing, race, religion or sex in the delivery of professional services.

3.3 Speech and language therapists should not enter into personal relationships with clients/patients, that could disrupt the course of treatment.

3.4 Speech and language therapists should evaluate the effectiveness of their intervention and should terminate the therapeutic relationship when it is clear that the patient/client is not gaining from this intervention.

3.5 Fees are established by professional norms that protect the interest of the client and the profession, and should be agreed upon before the outset of the treatment.

3.6 Speech and language therapists should not allow treatment to be carried out by support personnel or students without providing them with adequate supervision and assuming full responsibility. When, for educational purposes, a speech and language therapist allows a student to work under supervision with a client, that client and his/her relatives must be informed about this and have the right to refuse it.

4.1 Speech and language therapists must maintain strict professional confidentiality,including information acquired in the course of administrative or non-clinical duties, except in the following cases :

- If there is written consent by the client/patient, authorised relative or legal adviser.

- Where necessarily imparted to a close relative on the client/patient’s behalf, in the latter's best interest.

- Where there is knowledge of abuse of minors.

4.2 Speech and language therapists should maintain adequate records of professional services on each client and ensure that the contents of these files remain confidential,

4.3 Where information is shared with professional colleagues or any other person, the speech and language therapist must ensure that it is understood that the information is imparted in strict professional confidence.

5.1 A speech and language therapist must not disparage a colleague in any way harmful to him/her personally and/or his/her professional standing.

5.2 Should a client/patient transfer, consultation between speech and language therapists is recommended, unless this is not wished for by the client/patient.

5.3 In the case of concurrent therapy, liaison should be established and maintained by the speech and language therapists involved.

5.4 Speech and language therapists should strive to increase knowledge within their profession and share research findings.

6.1 Professional associations of speech and language therapists and their individual members should make efforts to educate the public about all aspects of communication and related disorders.

6.2 They should ensure that all information given to the public regarding disorders is accurate.

6.3 They should not promote and make unqualified statements regarding new therapeutic procedures that are not yet sufficiently scientifically proven.

6.4 Professional associations of speech and language therapists and their individual members should strive to maintain and expand the provision of services.

7.1 During the course of research, the necessary ethical standards must be maintained and the welfare of the subject must not be adversely affected. Informed consent must be given by the patient, or his/her legal representative, in writing.

7.2 Due care must be taken not to infringe the subject’s right to confidentiality.

7.3 The subject always has the right to withdraw from the research at any point.

7.4 If using medical records, prior consent should be given by the authority in charge of the files, and the patient.

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