1. Forword

Within this document the term "Code" will always refer to and be understood as meaning the Code of Ethics of the Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors.

The Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors will be referred to as the I.A.A.A.C. throughout this Code.

Any grammatical, spelling or typographical error shall not invalidate or dilute any guideline expressed within the Code.

We are aware, that the unique position of trust and responsibility held by I.A.A.A.C. Counsellors impose, upon Members, the need to adhere to high ethical standards. The I.A.A.A.C. therefore, by this Code of Ethics, sets forth standards for the ethical practice and conduct of its members. This Code sets out standards of ethical behavior for Alcohol and Addiction counsellors in their professional relationships with clients, colleagues, other professions and the community, it is intended as a guide for the daily conduct of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors. It also contains standards of ethical behavior governing individual conduct, to the extent that such conduct is identified with an individual's status and identity as an Alcohol and Addiction Counsellor. The ethical standards contained herein define professional expectations and are enforced by the I.A.A.A.C. Fitness to Practice Committee. In subscribing and adhering to this Code of Ethics, all Addiction Counsellors must be cognizant of the principles in this Code that bear upon any situation demanding ethical judgment, intervention or conduct. Any action chosen by an Alcohol and Addiction Counsellor should be consistent with the spirit as well as the letter of this Code.

This Code is not a set of rules setting out all of the actions of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors in their professional practice, however it offers general (and some specific) guide to conduct in situations with ethical implications. The following principles are guides to Addiction Counsellors in the roles and relationships in which they operate as counsellors. In subscribing and adhering to this Code, IAAAC members must cooperate in its implementation and abide by any disciplinary rulings based on it. All members must take adequate measures to prevent, discourage, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues. This Code is not intended to deprive any Addiction Counsellor of the freedom to practice with professional integrity. No disciplinary action will be taken, on the basis of this Code, without maximum provision for safeguarding the rights of the person affected.

The code also serves as a basis for the adjudication of ethical issues when the conduct of an Addiction Counsellor is alleged to deviate from the standards as expressed or implied in the Code. The standards stated herein are not exhaustive, nor all-inclusive, and the absence of an explicit reference to a specific behavior or situation in the Code does not mean that the behavior is ethical or unethical, nor outside the jurisdiction of the Fitness to Practice Committee. Addiction Counsellors who are uncertain or unclear about the ethics of a particular situation or course of action should seek advice from his/her supervisor, colleagues, an Ethics Committee member, Office Staff or their legal advisers. The Fitness to Practice Committee, empowered by the Articles of the I.A.A.A.C., acts as the investigation and advisory body when a counsellor's behavior is alleged to deviate from ethical norms expressed in this Code. The ultimate authority to impose penalty lies with the Board of Directors of the I.A.A.A.C. As an integral element of this code, it imposes an obligation on members to accept and adhere to any decision or penalty imposed, after due process, by the Board on the recommendation of the Fitness to practice Committee. Our members have a natural and legal right of appeal and any action/decision of the Board of Directors taken on the advice of the Fitness to Practice Committee cannot and does not abrogate this right. The ethical behavior of Addiction Counsellors does not come from mandatory enforcement but is dictated by personal commitment to ethical principles and behavior.

This Code is now offered as an affirmation of the will of our members to subscribe and adhere to ethical principles in their capacity as Addiction counsellors.


ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL ADDICTIONS COUNSELLORS

Principle 1: Relationship with Client.

Members of the IAAAC will:


1. Treat the client with dignity and respect while providing the highest quality of care.
2. Assist the client in discovering the internal and external resources to help him/her self.
3. Assist the client in empowering him/herself.
4. Avoid relationships or commitments that conflict with the interests of clients.
5. Respect the rights of clients to make decisions and help them to understand the consequences of their decisions.
6. Endeavor to avoid conditions or multiple relationships with clients that might impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Such relationships include, members of the counsellor's family, business associates, or individuals who have a close personal relationship with the counsellor or his/her family.
7. If s/he provide services to a person at the request or direction of a 3rd party, clarify the nature of the relationship, the limits/importance of confidentiality and the terms of the counselling contract with each party before beginning of the services.
8. End services and professional relationships with clients when such services are no longer required or where the client's interest or needs are no longer served.
9. Notify the client promptly when a termination or interruption of services is anticipated.
10. Where a termination or interruption of services occurs seek the transfer, referral, or continuation of services for the client.
11. Protect the privacy and confidentiality of each client.
12. Where mandatorily obliged to by stature or where the health and/or safety of a 3rd party or children is in jeopardy, report the matter to the relevant authorities.
13. Where a child is/was at risk complete and dispatch a child protection report to the relevant authorities.
14. Where matters as outlined in indent 12 (above) have occurred discuss the matter with his/her supervisor.
15. Disclose and discuss the nature of confidentiality and its limitations to/with clients and other interested parties in the first stages of the professional relationship.
16. Outline to their client’s situations where confidential information may be requested and where disclosure may be legally required.
17. Obtain written consent before video-taping, audio recording or permitting 3rd party observation of any client interaction or group therapy session. Exceptions to 3rd party observations are limited to students in placements, internships or agency trainees.
18. Maintain, Store, safeguard, and dispose of client records in accordance with the laws of the State and E.U. and in ways that protect the confidentiality of clients.
19. Initiate procedures to safeguard records in the event of business failure, transfer or consolidation.
20. When acting for another agency or colleague, during a temporary absence or emergency, serve the relevant clients with the same consideration, dignity and confidentiality as that afforded the Counsellor's own clients.
21. Ensure their fees are fair, reasonable, and reflect the clients' ability to pay.
22. Outline the services rendered and their costs to clients and/or 3rd party payers.
23. Disclose and explain to clients, before the onset of services,
    • All costs and fees related to the provision of professional services, including charges for cancelled or missed appointments.
    • The use of collection agencies or legal measures for nonpayment.
    • Procedures for obtaining payment from the client if payment is denied by a 3rd party payer.
    • The procedure whereby the client, his/her parent/guardian or interested 3rd party may lodge a compliant regarding the actions/behaviour/ethics of the counsellor to the IAAAC.
24. Give reasonable and written notice to clients of impending suspension of services for Non-payment.
25. Give reasonable and written notice to clients with unpaid balances of their intent to seek collection by agency or legal recourse. When such action is taken, Counsellors will not reveal clinical information.
Members of the IAAAC will not:


1. Engage in, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination against clients on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, political belief, physical or mental handicap, or economic condition.
2. Violate or lessen the civil or legal rights of clients.
3. Engage in any type of sexual activity with clients.
4. Engage with a client while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5. Practice as an Addiction Counsellor if s/he is in active addiction themselves.
6. Exploit the trust and dependency of clients.
7. Abandon clients in treatment.
8. Disclose confidential information, relating to counsellor client privilege, in teaching, training, practice, or investigation without the expressed written consent of the client, or when steps have been taken to protect client identity and confidentiality.
9. Disclose confidential client information except with written permission (of the client), or where mandated or permitted by law.
10. Reveal client identity or confidential information without client consent except when the client presents a clear and imminent danger to themselves or to others and then only to personnel who are directly involved in reducing the danger or threat.
11. Share, with colleagues or referral sources, confidential information obtained in clinical or consulting relationships that could lead to the identification of a client unless prior written consent from the client has been obtained. Information may be shared only in appropriate clinical settings and only to the extent necessary to achieve the purpose of the consultation.
12. Give nor receive to/ from clients, gifts of substantial value or that compromise the therapeutic relationship.
13. Offer or accept any commissions, rebates, bonuses, or any other form of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services.
14. Use the Counsellor client relationship to promote personal gain or the profit of any agency or business.
15. Withhold records that are needed for a client's treatment solely because payment has not been received for past services.
16. Tell the parent/s/guardian that a child protection report is being made if doing so will put the child at further risk.

Principle 2: Professional Competence and Integrity

Members of the IAAAC will:


1. Maintain adequate knowledge of and adhere to applicable Irish and E.U. laws, ethical codes and professional standards of practice.
2. Maintain ethical and professional codes of practice.
3. Pursue knowledge of new developments and maintain competence in addiction counselling through education, training, and/or supervised experience.
4. Seek appropriate professional assistance for personal problems or conflicts that may impact on work performance or clinical judgment.
5. Maintain accurate clinical and financial records for each client.
6. Accept employment only on the basis of existing competence or explicit intent to acquire the necessary competence.
7. Work to prevent the practice of Alcohol and Addiction counselling by unqualified and unauthorised persons.
8. Promote the I.A.A.A.C. as the authorized accreditation body for Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors within the State.
9. Be in violation of this Code and subject to appropriate sanctions up to, and including, permanent revocation of their membership of the IAAAC, if they are:
   • Are convicted of any misdemeanor crime related to their qualifications or functions as an Addiction Counsellor, or they are convicted of any felony crime.
   • Engage in conduct which could lead to conviction of a misdemeanor crime related to their qualifications or functions as an Addiction counsellor, or any felony crime.
   • Have their accreditation suspended or revoked, or are otherwise disciplined by regulatory bodies, or are expelled from or disciplined by other professional organisations.
   • Continue to practice as an Addiction counsellor while no longer competent to do so due to physical or mental causes or the abuse of alcohol or other drugs.
10. Cooperate, within the constricts of natural justice and law of the State and E.U., with the Ethics Committee from the start of an ethics complaint through the completion of all procedures regarding that complaint.
11. Report unethical or unprofessional behaviour/modes of practice by other Counsellors of which they become aware and where substantive, verifiable proof is available, to the appropriate certifying authority or regulatory body.
12. Where acting as a direct employee of an agency adhere to that organization’s code of ethics while simultaneously being cognizant of this Code.

Members of the IAAAC will not:


1. Engage in sexual or other forms of harassment or exploitation of clients, students, trainees, employees, colleagues, or research subjects.
2. Offer services, use techniques, diagnose, treat, or advise on problems outside the recognized boundaries of their competencies.
3. Misrepresent professional qualifications, education, experience, member-ships, or affiliations.
4. Participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
5. Continue to identify themselves as an IAAAC member or to practice as an Alcohol and Addiction counsellor when denied accreditation or allowing their accreditation to lapse.
6. Work as an Alcohol and Addiction counsellor without the appropriate Insurance cover.

Principle 3: Responsibility to Colleagues and the IAAAC.

Members of the IAAAC will:


1. Treat colleagues and professions in other fields with respect, courtesy, honesty and fairness.
2. When applying for accreditation submit all appropriate authenticated certification, proof of clinical practice and clinical supervision together with the appropriate fee to the head office of the association.
3. Be granted accreditation only when the appropriate educational and practical standards/experience have been gained and these have been verified by the Accreditation committee, and accreditation has been certified the Board of Directors.
4. On accreditation subscribe to and abide by this code of ethics and the constitution, Memoranda and Articles of Association of the I.A.A.A.C.
5. Remit the appropriate registration fee to the I.A.A.A.C. on a yearly basis.
6. Submit an application for re-accreditation on a five year basis accompanied by the necessary documentation and fees.
7. Receive a receipt for any monies paid to the IAAAC.
8. Receive a certificate of accreditation and membership card from the Association after accreditation has been ratified.
9. Attend clinical supervision, with IAAAC accredited or approved supervisors, in the ration of 1 hour supervision for each 20 hours practice.
10. Attend the AGM of the IAAAC where possible and practicable.
11. Take an active part in the AGM when in attendance.
12. Service on the Board of Directors of the IAAAC if selected by vote at AGM.
13. Serve on a sub-committee, ethics/fitness to practice committee or appeals committee if requested by the Board of Directors and it is practical to do so.
14. Cooperate with the implementation of this Code of Ethics.
15. Participate in, and abide by, any disciplinary actions and rulings based on this code.
16. By this indent be aware that failure to participate or cooperate may, of itself, be a serious violation of the Code of Ethics.

Members of the IAAAC will not:


1. Attend supervision while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hung over or smelling of an intoxicant.
2. Attend a counselling session while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hung over or smelling of an intoxicant.
3. Make any public comments disparaging the IAAAC, the addictions profession, or other professions.
4. Continue in practice as an Addiction Counsellor if in active addiction themselves.

Principle 4: Responsibility to Society:

Members of the IAAAC will:


1. Inform the public of the impact of all forms of addiction through active participation in civic affairs and community organizations.
2. Engage in pro bono work where appropriate and practicable.
3. Educate the public about the disease of addiction while working to dispel negative myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions about addictions and the people who have them.
4. Work with other health care professionals in providing a supportive environment for the client who is receiving prescribed medications.

Principle 5:

Working with minors and/or people with learning disorders, mental and/or physical impairment.

Members of the IAAAC will:


1. Obtain Garda clearance.
2. Where possible seek the consent, in writing, of both parents where a minor is the client.
3. Where this is not possible obtain the consent of the legal guardian, in writing.
4. Where the client suffers a mental/physical impairment and is not a minor seek consent of his/her legal guardian or the statutory body responsible for the client.
5. Inform the reticent/absent parent of the counselling relationship to be entered into.
6. Maintain records of efforts to enforce indent 5 above.
7. Make parents/guardians aware of the Child first policy of National and E.U. legislation.
8. Obtain verification in writing that the parents/guardian/statutory body has been made aware of indent 7.
9. Where circumstances dictate, report, to the statutory authorities, any incident where s/he deems the child or person with mental/physical impairment is or was at risk.
10. Ensure the physical/mental/sexual integrity and safety of the client.
11. Afford the consenting parent /guardian/agent of the statutory body the opportunity to be present during the counselling session.
12. Where indent 11 is not practicable or desirable conduct each session in the presence of another qualified accredited counsellor or another professional person.
13. Where indent 11 is not availed of or indent 12 is not possible, ensure that counselling takes place in a room that allows clear visibility of both client and counsellor, from outside the room, for the duration of the counselling session.
14. Ensure indent 15 in the paragraph relating to client/counsellor relationship is complied with.
15. Adhere to the Child first policy of National and E.U. Legislation.
16. Avail of Supervision that caters for engagement in this area of counselling.
17. Ensure s/he has adequate indemnity insurance to engage in the counselling of minors and the mentally/physically impaired.
Members of the IAAAC will not:


1. Enter into a professional relationship with a minor or a person who is physically/mentally impaired without the written consent of his/her parents/parent/guardian/statutory body legally responsible of the clients well being.
2. Enter into a professional relationship with a minor or a person who is physically/mentally impaired without adequate indemnity insurance.

Principle 6: Violation of Ethical Principles.

1. The IAAAC Ethics/Fitness to Practice committee has jurisdiction for all complaints filed against any person holding or applying for accreditation and, therefore, has authority to conduct investigations/enquiry into any instance of alleged misconduct by any member of the I.A.A.A.C. (as defined by our membership criteria)
2. A complaint may issue from:
   1. A client.
   2. Institution.
   3. Parent/guardian.
   4. Another counsellor.
   5. Supervisor.
   6. Statutory body.
3. In the normal course of events all complaints must be in writing.
4. In the event of a complaint warranting jurisdiction by the Fitness to Practice Committee the defendant will be supplied with the names of the Committee.
5. The defendant will have the right to have two members of said committee withdrawn by unchallenged objection.
6. The defendant will only have one recourse to objection.
7. In the event of indent 3 being activated a designated person within the remaining committee will select two people to fill any vacancy.
8. Legal representation is not provided for these hearings.
9. The defendant and/or complainant may have legal representation and/or friend/union representative present during any stage of the procedure in which they are obliged to participate.
10. The member upon receiving the decision of the Fitness to Practice committee will have a 21 day period within which to lodge, in writing, an appeal to the appeals committee, if s/he so decides.
11. No decision of the Fitness to Practice committee, Ethics committee, appeals committee or Board of Directors can distract from the members right to address any issue through the courts of the State or E.U.
12. Where matters are sub judice the Fitness to Practice committee or Appeals committee will suspend any investigation or enquiry pending the outcome of said process.
13. The Board of Directors will, on the recommendation of the fitness to practice committee, impose sanctions, including fines, suspension and cancellation of accreditation on those found guilty of breaches of this code of ethics.
14. No member of the Ethics Committee, Board of Directors, Accreditation committee, Officers, or Staff can be named as a respondent under these policies and procedures as the result of a decision, action, or exercise of discretion arising directly from their conduct or involvement in carrying out adjudication responsibilities.

Principle 7: Supervisor responsibility to client and IAAAC.

Supervisors will:


1. Be members of the IAAAC or other bodies recognized as competent to deliver and maintain high level supervision that enhances and develops the resident skill of IAAAC accredited Counsellors.
2. Be accredited by the IAAAC as supervisors.
3. Will subscribe to this ethical code in its entirety.
4. Afford their counsellor client all the rights, privileges and considerations, targeted in the client counsellor relationship, contained in this code of ethics.
5. Be cognizant of the responsibly laid to him/her by
   1. Indents 11, 12 and 13 of the "will" element of Principle 1.
   2. Indents 5 and 9 of the "will" element of Principle 2.
   3. Indent 3 of indent 3 of "not" element of Principle 3.
   
   Of this code of ethics.
   
   
6. Expand matters as described by a. above to include indent 9 of Principle 2.
7. Report perceived breaches of this code, encountered in the course of their function as a supervisor to the IAAAC through the secretary of the Association.
8. Be aware that the appropriate certifying authority or regulatory body mentioned in indent 9 of principle 2 is the IAAAC.

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