Code of Conduct for Communication Professionals

Effective from 1 January 2010

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The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that NRCPD registered communication professionals carry out their work with a due regard for the rights of deaf and hearing people involved in, or affected by, all aspects of the communication process. The Code is supported by guidelines for the benefit of consumers and practitioners.

A communication professional is anyone registered with NRCPD as a:

  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Lipspeaker
  • Electronic or Manual Notetaker
  • Speech to Text Reporter
  • LSP – Deafblind Manual

It is a condition of registration that communication professionals confirm their agreement to abide by the Code and the accompanying guidelines. Any alleged breach of the Code will be addressed through the complaints procedures applicable.

This Code replaces any previous Codes issued by the Independent Registration Panel or the ACE/Deafblind Registration Panel. It will remain in force until amended or revoked by the NRCPD Registration Board. Notice of amendment will be made on the NRCPD website and through other appropriate means.

The Code of Conduct sets out the professional and ethical principles that must underpin the work of all NRCPD registrants when working with consumers, or managing, training, supervising or mentoring other communication professionals. It prescribes standards of conduct that must be adhered to in order to:

  • provide assurance of professional standards to users of the services of communication professionals, and to the public at large, and
  • maintain the integrity of the professions.

Confidentiality
You must respect the confidential nature of any information gained in the course of your professional activity.

Competence
You must recognise and work within the limits of your competence, and if necessary, refer on to another proficient professional.

Integrity
You must seek to reflect credit on your profession.
You must seek to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Impartiality
You must avoid discrimination against parties involved in an assignment, either directly or indirectly, on any grounds.
You must disclose any information, including conflicts of interest, which may make you unsuitable for an assignment or call into question your impartiality, and decline or withdraw from the assignment if this cannot be satisfactorily resolved.

Professional
Development
You must keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date.


Guidelines
Glossary