Why a Code of Ethics?

At the end of 2009, following much debate, the Standards Council decided to pursue a Voluntary model of registration for workers, managers, training providers and others involved in CLD.

We decided that the core criteria for registration would be:

  • signing up to a Code of Ethics
  • making a clear commitment to the CLD values and competences
  • ongoing development and improvement of practice

We then asked Professor Howard Sercombe, University of Strathclyde, and Peter Taylor, Policy and Development Consultant (CDAS) to draft a Code and a supporting paper for us. They also then chaired a series of consultation meetings at venues across Scotland, including participants from across the three strands of CLD. This process was supported by the online consultation. The full report on the consultation process can be downloaded here along with the final Code.

For reference, the draft Code and supporting papers can also be downloaded.

Do we really need Ethics as well as Values?

The limitation of a values approach is that it is not assertive. A value cannot in principle be wrong: a value may not fit, or work, in a given setting; practice might be 'inappropriate' or 'inconsistent' , but it can’t really define the ethical limits of practice.

Nothing in our existing CLD values statement prohibits even the most widely agreed unethical behaviours. Of course values are an important part of an ethical framework, but they can’t express an agreement that some behaviours are essential, and that others are wrong.

A Working Code

The Code of Ethics for CLD can be downloaded here. It is a working document and we want to know how it works for you; we also want to know if you think it needs further revision.

If you would like to leave a comment on the Code as a whole, or tell us how you have used it in practice, you can do so here.

Alternatively, click on the headings below to view each clause of the Code and follow the link to view and leave comments.

Primary Client

Ecology

Inclusion

Duty of Care

Corruption

Boundaries

Transparency

Confidentiality

Cooperation

Professional Development

Self-awareness

Self-care

Empowerment