CODE OF ETHICS

 

RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY COUNSELLING BOARD INCORPORATED (RFCB)
CODE OF ETHICS

1. Title

This document shall be known as the Code of Ethics of the Relationship and Family Counselling Board Incorporated (RFCB) (“the Code”).

2. Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this Code is to:

a. Establish ethical standards for all members of the Board
b. Promote safe, competent, and professional counselling practice
c. Protect the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of clients
d. Provide a framework for ethical decision-making
e. Support accountability and public trust in the profession

3. Scope

3.1 This Code applies to:

a. All members of the Board, including Provisional, Registered, Clinical, and Supervisory members
b. All professional activities undertaken by members, including counselling, supervision, teaching, and related services

4. Foundational Ethical Principles

All members shall uphold the following core principles:

4.1 Respect for the Dignity and Autonomy of Clients

4.1.1 Members shall respect the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of all clients.

4.1.2 Members shall:

a. Support client autonomy and self-determination
b. Obtain informed consent prior to commencing services
c. Provide clear information about the nature, purpose, risks, and limitations of counselling
d. Respect the client’s right to withdraw from services at any time

4.1.3 Members shall take reasonable steps to ensure that consent is:

a. Voluntary
b. Informed
c. Ongoing throughout the therapeutic relationship

4.2 Non-Maleficence (Avoidance of Harm)

4.2.1 Members shall take all reasonable steps to avoid causing harm to clients.

4.2.2 Members shall:

a. Practise only within their level of competence and scope
b. Monitor the impact of their interventions
c. Take appropriate action where harm is identified or likely
d. Seek supervision or consultation when faced with uncertainty

4.3 Beneficence (Promotion of Wellbeing)

4.3.1 Members shall act in the best interests of their clients.

4.3.2 Members shall:

a. Provide services that are intended to benefit the client
b. Promote psychological, relational, and emotional wellbeing
c. Actively support client growth, safety, and resilience

4.4 Justice

4.4.1 Members shall promote fairness, equity, and non-discrimination.

4.4.2 Members shall:

a. Provide services without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
b. Ensure equitable access to services where reasonably possible
c. Avoid bias and unfair treatment

4.5 Cultural Safety and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

4.5.1 Members shall demonstrate commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including:

a. Partnership
b. Participation
c. Protection

4.5.2 Members shall:

a. Practise in a culturally safe and responsive manner
b. Respect Māori models of health and wellbeing, including whānau, wairua, hinengaro, and tinana
c. Recognise the impact of colonisation and systemic inequities
d. Reflect on their own cultural identity and its influence on practice

5. Professional Conduct

5.1 Members shall conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity of the profession.

5.2 Confidentiality

5.2.1 Members shall maintain client confidentiality at all times, except where:

a. There is a serious and imminent risk of harm to the client or others
b. Disclosure is required by law
c. The client has provided informed consent for disclosure

5.2.2 Members shall:

a. Inform clients of the limits of confidentiality at the outset
b. Store records securely in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and Health Information Privacy Code
c. Share only the minimum necessary information when disclosure is required

5.3 Record Keeping

5.3.1 Members shall maintain accurate, timely, and secure records of their professional work.

5.3.2 Records must:

a. Be factual, clear, and respectful
b. Protect client privacy
c. Be retained and disposed of in accordance with legal requirements

5.4 Supervision

5.4.1 Members shall engage in regular professional supervision.

5.4.2 Supervision shall:

a. Support ethical and competent practice
b. Provide opportunities for reflection and accountability
c. Be conducted by an approved supervisor

5.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

5.5.1 Members shall maintain and enhance their professional competence through ongoing learning.

5.5.2 Members shall:

a. Complete required CPD hours annually
b. Engage in relevant training, education, and reflective practice

6. Professional Boundaries

6.1 Members shall maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

6.2 Prohibited Conduct

The following are strictly prohibited:

a. Sexual or intimate relationships with current clients
b. Sexual or intimate relationships with former clients where a power imbalance remains
c. Exploitative dual relationships that may impair professional judgment or increase risk of harm

6.3 Managing Boundary Risks

6.3.1 Members shall:

a. Identify potential boundary issues
b. Take proactive steps to manage risks
c. Seek supervision where boundary concerns arise

7. Competence and Scope of Practice

7.1 Members shall practise within their competence and defined scope.

7.2 Members shall:

a. Accurately represent their qualifications and experience
b. Recognise the limits of their expertise
c. Refer clients to other professionals where appropriate
d. Decline work that falls outside their competence

8. Ethical Decision-Making

8.1 Members shall apply structured ethical decision-making when faced with dilemmas.

8.2 Members should:

a. Refer to this Code
b. Seek supervision or consultation
c. Consider legal, cultural, and professional factors
d. Prioritise client safety and wellbeing

9. Breaches of the Code

9.1 Any breach of this Code may result in formal review.

9.2 Breaches may be identified through:

a. Complaints
b. Self-reporting
c. Board-initiated review

9.3 Consequences of Breaches

Where a breach is established, the Board may:

a. Require further training or supervision
b. Impose conditions on practice
c. Suspend membership
d. Terminate membership
e. Refer matters to appropriate authorities where required

10. Duty to Report

10.1 Members have a responsibility to take appropriate action where:

a. There is risk of harm to clients
b. Another practitioner is acting unethically or incompetently

10.2 Actions may include:

a. Raising concerns in supervision
b. Reporting to the Board where necessary

11. Public Protection

11.1 The primary obligation of all members is the protection and wellbeing of clients and the public.

11.2 All ethical decisions must prioritise:

a. Safety
b. Dignity
c. Respect
d. Accountability

12. Review of the Code

12.1 This Code shall be reviewed at intervals not exceeding three (3) years.

12.2 Amendments shall be approved by resolution of the Board.

End of Code of Ethics

 

 

 

1. CORE PRINCIPLES

1.1 Respect for Clients

  • Dignity

  • Autonomy

  • Informed consent

1.2 Non-Maleficence (Do No Harm)

  • Avoid harm

  • Practice within competence

1.3 Beneficence

  • Act in client’s best interests

1.4 Justice

  • Fair and equitable treatment

1.5 Cultural Safety

  • Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

  • Respect Māori models (e.g. whānau, wairua)

2. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Counsellors must:

  • Maintain confidentiality (except risk of harm)

  • Keep accurate records

  • Maintain supervision

  • Engage in ongoing professional development

3. BOUNDARIES

Strictly prohibited:

1.              Sexual relationships with clients

2.              Exploitative dual relationships

4. COMPETENCE

Members must:

1.              Work within scope

2.              Refer when necessary

5. BREACHES

Breaches of ethics trigger:

1.              Complaints process

2.              Possible disciplinary action