Professional standards for

occupational therapy practice,

conduct and ethics
About the publisher
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British
Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and operates as a registered charity. It represents
the profession nationally and internationally, and contributes widely to policy consultations
throughout the UK. RCOT sets the professional and educational standards for occupational
therapy, providing leadership, guidance and information relating to research and development,
education, practice and lifelong learning. In addition, 10 accredited specialist sections support
expert clinical practice.

For more publications and free downloads please visit

rcot.co.uk/publications

Version 2/2021
Professional standards for
occupational therapy practice,
conduct and ethics
Published in 2021
by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
106–114 Borough High Street
London SE1 1LB
rcot.co.uk

This publication is available to download from rcot.co.uk/publications

This publication supersedes all previous editions of the Professional standards for occupational
therapy practice and the Code of ethics and professional conduct
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists rebranded in 2022. This publication was reprinted
in January 2022 to reflect the new branding but all other content remains unchanged
Copyright © Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2021

Author: Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Writer: Henny Pearmain
Date for review: 2026
Acknowledgements
The development of these Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct
and ethics was undertaken in consultation with RCOT members, Council, Boards and the RCOT
Publications Group. RCOT would like to thank all those who took part in this process for their valuable
contribution.
All rights reserved, including translation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted, by any form or means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
scanning or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the Royal College of Occupational
Therapists, unless otherwise agreed or indicated. Copying is not permitted except for personal and
internal use, to the extent permitted by national copyright law, or under the terms of a licence issued
by the relevant national reproduction rights organisation (such as the Copyright Licensing Agency in
the UK). Requests for permission for other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution,
for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works, or for resale, should be
addressed to the RCOT Publications Manager.
General enquiries about this document should be addressed to the Professional Practice Team at
[email protected]
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
shall not be liable for any loss or damage either directly or indirectly resulting from the use of this
publication.

ISBN 978-1-913496-02-9
Contents
Terminology and language 1

Section 1: Introduction 2
1.1 The professional standards for occupational therapy practice,
conduct and ethics 3
1.2 Occupational therapy in practice 4
1.3 Legislation, guidance, policy and procedures 5

Section 2: The uses and purposes of this document 6

2.1 Informing your practice 7
2.2 Informing educators and pre-registration learners in higher education 8
2.3 Monitoring and developing your practice and service 8

Section 3: Principles and standards – welfare and autonomy 10

3.1 Duty of care 11
3.2 Welfare  13
3.3 Diversity, equality and sensitivity 14
3.4 The importance of choice and personalised care 15
3.5 Informed consent and mental capacity 15
3.6 Engaging with risk  17

Section 4: Principles and standards – service provision 19

4.1 Focusing on occupation 20
4.2 Your professional rationale 20
4.3 Access to occupational therapy  20
4.4 Referral/request for assistance and assessment  21
4.5 Intervention or recommendations 22
4.6 Outcomes – quality, value and effectiveness 22
4.7 Developing and using the profession’s evidence base 23
4.8 Keeping records 24
4.9 Confidentiality and sharing information 25
4.10 Resources and sustainability  26

Section 5: Principles and standards – professionalism 28

5.1 Professionalism 29
5.2 Equality and inclusion 29
5.3 Professional conduct 29
5.4 Professional conduct on digital platforms, including social media 30
5.5 Professional and personal integrity 30
5.6 Communication 30
5.7 Collaborative working 31
5.8 Professional and personal relationships 32
5.9 The professionalism of colleagues 33
5.10 Personal profit or gain 33
5.11 Information and representation 34

Contents iii
Section 6: Principles and standards – capability and fitness to practise 35
6.1 Fitness to practise 36
6.2 Your professional competence 36
6.3 Maintaining and expanding your capability  36
6.4 Changing roles and responsibilities 37
6.5 Delegation 38
6.6 The capability of colleagues 38
6.7 Occupational therapy pre-registration practice-based learning 39
6.8 Your health and fitness to practise 39

Section 7: Key terms  40

Section 8: Legislation, policies and standards – key topics 51

References52

Bibliography56

iv Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

Terminology and language
A list of key terms can be found in Section 7. Considering the breadth of the profession, we
recognise that some of the terminology used in this document may need a degree of interpretation
when applying the Standards to your individual scope of practice or work setting. Each statement is
written as a description of the expected action/behaviour. If you don’t do it, you are not meeting the
standard, although you may have a justifiable reason. Throughout these Standards:

● The term ‘practitioner’ has been used to identify you as the active individual, wherever you work
and whatever your scope and level of practice. It includes occupational therapists, support
workers and occupational therapy learners, both students and apprentices. It is applicable to
practitioners in all roles, including those who are in management and leadership, education,
research, consultancy and advisory roles, and working in industry.

●  he term ‘occupational therapy workforce’ has been used as a collective term for all practitioners
T
as defined in the paragraph above.

● The work you do for and with individuals/groups has been termed ‘intervention’, which includes
providing services such as care and support, information, assessment, recommendations or
advice, direction, supervision and education.

●  he term ‘people (or those) who access the service’ has been used for those to whom you
T
provide intervention. These may be individuals, families and carers, groups or communities.

● Within the context of this document, the term ‘service’ usually refers to the overall occupational
therapy input that you provide, rather than referring to an occupational therapy department or
facility.

● 
Although not specified in the individual standards, the person’s carers and/or family are actively
involved where appropriate and with the individual’s agreement.

Terminology and language 1

Section 1
Introduction
This section describes the context and status of these
professional standards.
1.1 The professional standards for occupational therapy
practice, conduct and ethics

1.1.1 The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, as the sole professional body
for the profession in the United Kingdom (UK), supports, develops and protects
the UK domain knowledge. These Professional standards for occupational
therapy practice, conduct and ethics are an element of that knowledge and
define an agreed set of professional standards that guide the work of the
occupational therapy workforce. These standards are reflected in the skills,
ways of thinking, behaviours, practice and experiences of RCOT members, and
in published literature.

1.1.2 The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (hereafter referred to as ‘RCOT’)

is committed to valuing diversity within the profession, its membership, those
who access occupational therapy services, its staff and the wider working
environment. We understand that each individual is unique and should be
treated with fairness, consistency and transparency, and without
discrimination.

1.1.3 For the first time, the Professional standards for occupational therapy practice
and the Code of ethics and professional conduct have been merged into one
document, organised as a combination of ethical principles and standard
statements. Together they underpin and define the requirements for
professional practice and conduct. This document describes a level of
practice and a way of thinking that RCOT expects its members to abide by
and believes all members of the occupational therapy workforce should
adopt.

1.1.4 These Standards are universal and applicable, with some interpretation, to
all practitioners. Wherever you work and whatever your scope and level of
practice, you should be able to apply the underpinning principles of these
Standards to the work you do.

1.1.5 RCOT sets the professional and educational standards for the occupational
therapy profession in the UK. These Professional standards for occupational
therapy practice, conduct and ethics (herein referred to as the ‘Standards’) are
produced in consultation and collaboration with RCOT members. The
completion, revision and updating of the Standards is the delegated
responsibility of the RCOT Professional Practice Department. They are revised
every five years, or earlier if necessary.

1.1.6 This is a public document, so may be used by others outside the profession to
determine the measure of professional practice and conduct expected of
members of the occupational therapy workforce. RCOT encourages recognition
of these Standards by other individuals, organisations and institutions who/
which are involved with the profession, including employers, commissioners
and those who access occupational therapy services.

1.1.7 Membership of RCOT provides benefits to support safe, effective and ethical
working practice and continuing professional development. It is advantageous
to both practitioners and employers, but it is voluntary and cannot be a

Section 1 Introduction 3
 requirement for practice or a criterion for employment (Great Britain.
Parliament 1992). RCOT members sign up to abide by these Standards, but
they will be relevant and useful to all within the occupational therapy
workforce across the UK, whether they are members of the organisation or
not.

1.2 Occupational therapy in practice

1.2.1 Underpinning occupational therapy practice is the belief that participation in

meaningful occupations (‘all the things we need, want or have to do’ (Wilcock
2006, p14)) is fundamental to the facilitation and maintenance of health and
wellbeing. A person’s ability to carry out their activities and roles in daily life is
understood as their occupational performance. This ability to perform and
participate in occupations can affect and be affected by their experiences or
circumstances.

1.2.2 As an occupational therapist, or occupational therapy learner, you hold a

unique view of the people and communities with whom/which you work. You
have, or are developing, a degree-level (College of Occupational Therapists
1992) knowledge of how people perform physically, mentally, sensorially,
cognitively, psychologically and socially. This enables you to deliver
occupation-focused, person-centred intervention in all settings.

1.2.3 As an occupational therapy practitioner, you may intervene within the

dimensions of the person, their environment and in the occupation itself. A
person’s environment might be physical, social, societal, cultural, economic
and/or attitudinal. You enable the people with whom you work to bring about
change in order to achieve their chosen occupational goals. This may be
through the modification of their desired or required occupations, learning new
skills and approaches, alteration of their environment/s, or a combination of
these. You also understand activity in itself to be of therapeutic benefit.

1.2.4 As a support worker, you have an approach to your work that is based on an
understanding of the connection between the person, their environment and
occupation. You will understand that the purpose of the intervention you
provide is to maximise an individual’s occupational performance and
participation.

1.2.5 To be considered as a competent or capable occupational therapy practitioner,

you need to demonstrate a combination of recognised knowledge and skills,
along with behaviours that reflect a professional way of thinking across the
four Pillars of Practice (RCOT 2021). You learn knowledge and skills through
your professional education and/or experience and continuing professional
development, but these elements alone are not necessarily what make you a
safe, effective and ethical practitioner. Your conduct must also promote and
protect the wellbeing of people who access your service, the wider public, and
the reputation of your employers and your profession. You are an autonomous
practitioner and are personally responsible for what you do. You can ensure
your own capability in practice through your knowledge, understanding and
application of these principles and standards.

4 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

1.3 Legislation, guidance, policy and procedures

1.3.1 This document does not identify every piece of relevant legislation, recognising
that there are differences across the four UK nations and that legislation
changes periodically. You must be attentive to and comply with any current
legislation, statutory guidance, best practice standards, and policies and
procedures that are relevant to your location, scope and level of practice. The
key broad areas of legislation related to this publication are listed in Section 8.

1.3.2 This version of the Professional standards for occupational therapy practice,
conduct and ethics (2021) supersedes all previous editions of the Code of
ethics and professional conduct and the Professional standards for
occupational therapy practice.

Section 1 Introduction 5
Section 2
The uses and purposes of this
document
This section describes how these Standards can be
useful and beneficial to you.
2.1 Informing your practice

2.1.1 This is a practical document. You need to understand its content and how to
apply it to your work. It is an information resource to direct you and a means by
which you can examine your practice. It may also be used as an aid to
discussions in the workplace, whether with your work colleagues or with those
who access the service. These Standards may help to guide strategic decisions
relating to occupational therapy. They can be used as a basis for dialogue and
negotiation with commissioners, funders, purchasers of services and in other
business settings. You can use the Standards to demonstrate the value and
uniqueness of your professional contribution.

2.1.2 These Standards describe the essential practice, behaviours and values that
you have a responsibility to abide by at all times. They may be taken as
appropriate standards of reasonable care, as defined by the professional body,
which may be referred to by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC),
your regulatory body.

RCOT expects its members to work to high standards of performance, to

continually improve and to seek out opportunities to lead and excel.

2.1.3 Maintaining these standards will help you to:

● be a safe, effective and ethical practitioner;
● provide a high-quality, evidence-informed and inclusive
service;
● provide a person-centred or personalised service;
● explain and promote the work you do in the language of
occupation;
● make best use of and sustain all resources, including financial,
human and environmental; and
● meet the registration requirements of the HCPC.

2.1.4 This document should be your first point of reference if you have a query
related to professional practice, conduct or ethics. You should also refer and
adhere to local policy and/or standards. You may find that occasionally local
circumstances prevent you from meeting some part of these Standards. In
such circumstances, you need to be sure that you are meeting your legal
responsibilities, your duty of care to those who access the service, and all
HCPC requirements. If you are concerned that your local policy causes you to
fall short of your legal and professional duties, or puts the welfare of those
who access your service/s, yourself or your colleagues at risk, you must raise
this with your employer. You should keep a record of your concerns and
actions.

Section 2 The uses and purposes of this document 7

 2.1.5 If you have a concern, or if there is uncertainty or dispute as to the
interpretation or application of the Standards, you are advised to contact
RCOT’s Professional Practice Enquiries Service, and possibly your local union
representative, for advice.

2.1.6 In any civil or criminal proceedings, these Standards may be admissible as

evidence. They can be used as a measure of reasonable and/or acceptable
practice in support of the complaint or the defence.

2.2 Informing educators and pre-registration learners in higher

education

2.2.1 Education providers will use this document throughout a pre-registration

learner’s education to inform them of the required standards of practice,
conduct and ethics that occupational therapists are expected to uphold during
their academic and professional lives. These Standards will support the
learning received by all future graduates, and are applicable from point of entry
to the pre-registration programme to the end of their professional career.

2.2.2 Education providers are required to ensure that the Standards are observed in
order to maintain their occupational therapy pre-registration programme’s
accredited status with RCOT.

For learners and educators, these Standards also complement the current version of RCOT’s
Learning and development standards for pre-registration education (RCOT 2019a).

2.3 Monitoring and developing your practice and service

2.3.1 The primary role of the HCPC is the protection of the public. It has overall
responsibility for ensuring that all relevant health professionals meet certain
given standards in order to be registered to practise in the UK. Anyone using
the title or practising as an ‘occupational therapist’ in the UK must be registered
with the HCPC. If a formal complaint is made about an occupational therapist,
the HCPC will consider whether its own standards have been met. You must
know and abide by the requirements of the HCPC.

2.3.2 A key function of RCOT is to inform, support and encourage you as members of
the profession. It is not RCOT’s role to judge a practitioner’s fitness to practise.
The Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and
ethics are developed in line with the HCPC standards (HCPC 2013, 2016). If
you use the RCOT professional standards as an informative and convenient
way to monitor and maintain your professional practice, they will help you to
meet the HCPC requirements. There are resources available on the RCOT
website to help you with this.

8 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 2.3.3 The results of monitoring and improving your practice can be included in your
continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio, along with your other
evidence of learning and development.

2.3.4 Using these Standards as a benchmark against which to scrutinise your

service also enables you to gather data for yourself and others who have an
interest or investment in your service.

Section 2 The uses and purposes of this document 9

Section 3
Principles and standards –
welfare and autonomy
This section relates to the ethics and values
underpinning your conduct and practice.
3.1 Duty of care

Your duty of care is your responsibility to act in a way that ensures that injury, loss or
damage will not be carelessly or intentionally inflicted on the individual or group to whom/
which the duty is owed as a result of your actions.
There is a general duty of care to one another, but as part of the occupational therapy
workforce you carry a specific duty of care to those who access the service, including their
families and carers, even if you are not directly responsible for their care.
In determining whether the duty of care was discharged, the standard against which your
work will be assessed is:

the standard of the ordinary skilled person exercising and professing to have that
specialist skill. A [person] need not possess the highest expert skill; it is well established
law that it is sufficient if [the person] exercises the ordinary skill of the ordinary
competent [person] exercising that particular art.
(Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee 1957 in Unison 2003)

In other words, you do not need to be the best there is, but you must be practising at the
standard of a reasonably competent practitioner. The standards to be expected are not
generally affected by any personal attributes, such as level of experience.

3.1.1 The duty of care exists from the moment:

● you/the service receive a referral or request for assistance; and/or

● the individual is accepted for occupational therapy or they agree and begin
to receive a service.

3.1.2 You discharge your duty of care by performing your professional duties to the
standard of a reasonably competent practitioner, in terms of your knowledge,
skills and abilities.

3.1.3 You may be in breach of your duty of care if it can be shown that you have failed
to perform your professional duties to the standard expected of a reasonably
competent occupational therapy practitioner.

3.1.4 If it is claimed that you have, in the performance of your duties, breached your
duty of care to the person who accesses the service, it is a good defence to
show that a responsible body of like practitioners would have acted in the same
way. This is the Bolam Principle (Bolam v Friern Hospital Management
Committee 1957).

3.1.5 The Bolam Principle will only be a good defence, however, if it can be shown
that the body of opinion relied on has a logical basis and is respectable,
responsible and reasonable in its own right. This is the Bolitho Principle (Bolitho
v City and Hackney Health Authority 1998).

Section 3 Principles and standards – welfare and autonomy 11

 3.1.6 Your responsibilities under your duty of care

3.1.6.1 You keep your knowledge, skills and abilities up to date.

3.1.6.2 You provide a service that is within your professional competence,

appropriate to the needs of those who access the service, and
within the range of activities defined by your professional role.

3.1.6.3 You maintain an accurate record of the intervention you provide

as part of your duty of care.

3.1.6.4 You have and record a demonstrable professional rationale for the
decisions you make and occupational therapy intervention you
provide.

3.1.6.5 You protect confidential information, except where there is

justifiable reason for disclosure.

3.1.6.6 You ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the
health, safety and welfare of any person involved in any activity
for which you are responsible. This might be a person accessing
the service, a carer, another member of staff, a learner or a
member of the public (Great Britain. Parliament 1974).

3.1.6.7 You ensure that anyone to whom you delegate work is competent
to carry it out in a safe and appropriately skilled manner (see
Section 6, point 6.5).

3.1.6.8 When you consider that wellbeing, safety and care standards are
not being met, you raise your concerns with an appropriate
person.

3.1.6.9 When a person with mental capacity is discharged or

discharges themselves from your service, or chooses not to
follow your recommendations, your duty of care does not
finish immediately.
You must:

● ensure that they are aware of any possible risks arising from
their choice;
● take reasonable action to ensure their safety;
● refer the individual to or provide information about an
alternative agency, if appropriate;
● inform relevant others, with consent if possible, especially if
there is an element of risk remaining;
● arrange for a follow-up, if required and consented to;
● comply with all necessary local discharge procedures;
● record this in the relevant documentation, together with any
assessment of mental capacity if required.

You will then have fulfilled your duty of care.

12 12
Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics
3.2 Welfare

3.2.1 Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations General
Assembly 1948) everyone has economic, social and cultural rights. These
include the right to social protection, an adequate standard of living, and
physical and mental wellbeing.

You seek to act in the best interests of all those who access the service and
those with whom you work, at all times, to ensure their welfare, optimising
their health, wellbeing and safety.

3.2.1.1 You always recognise a person’s human rights and act in their best
interests, without discrimination of any kind.

3.2.1.2 You enable individuals to preserve their individuality, self-respect,

dignity, privacy, security, autonomy and integrity.

3.2.1.3 You take appropriate actions to promote positive health and

welfare in the workplace (including physical and mental health),
safe working practices and a safe environment.

3.2.1.4 You do not engage in or support behaviour that causes any

unnecessary mental or physical distress. Such behaviour includes
neglect and indifference to pain.

3.2.1.5 You make every effort not to leave an individual in unnecessary

pain, discomfort or distress following intervention. Professional
judgement and experience are used to assess the level of pain,
distress or risk, and appropriate action is taken if necessary.
Advice is sought when required.

3.2.1.6 You support those who access the service if they want to raise a
concern or a complaint about the care or service they have
received. You communicate honestly, openly and in a professional
manner, receiving feedback and addressing concerns
co-operatively should they arise. Advice is sought when required
and local policy followed.

3.2.1.7 You have a professional duty of candour. When something goes

wrong as a result of your actions or omissions, you immediately
take steps to put matters right, and you apologise to those
affected if appropriate to do so. You inform your manager/
employer and follow local policy.

3.2.1.8 You do not knowingly obstruct another practitioner in the

performance of their duty of candour. You do not provide
information, or make dishonest statements about an incident, with
the intent to mislead.

3.2.1.9 You know, and act on, your responsibility to protect and safeguard
the interests of vulnerable people with whom you have contact in
your work role.

Section 3 Principles and standards – welfare and autonomy 13

 3.2.1.10 If you witness, or have reason to believe that an individual has
experienced, dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative
behaviour or neglect in your workplace or any other setting, you
raise your concerns. You notify a line manager or other
designated person, seeking the individual’s consent where
possible, and using local procedures where available.

3.2.1.11 If you are an employer or supplier of personnel, you report to the

relevant national disclosure and barring service any person who
has been removed from work because of their behaviour, where
that behaviour may meet any of the criteria for the individual to
be barred from working with at-risk children or adults.

3.2.1.12 You raise a concern with the relevant registration body if the
practice, behaviour or health of a practitioner appears to be a risk
to the safety of those who access the service, colleagues or the
public.

3.2.1.13 Where learners (students or apprentices) are involved, you also

report to the relevant education provider.

3.3 Diversity, equality and sensitivity

3.3.1 Your approach is always to protect the rights of individuals and to advance
equality of opportunity for all. You work in a way that is equally fair and just,
inclusive and without discrimination of any kind. You always act in accordance
with human rights, legislation and in the individual’s best interests.

3.3.1.1 You offer equal access to the service and fulfil your role without
bias or prejudice.

3.3.1.2 You treat all people, irrespective of their needs, with dignity and
respect as equal members of society, entitled to enjoy the same
choices, rights, privileges and access to services.

3.3.1.3 You reflect on and are sensitive to how diversity affects people’s
needs and choices, incorporating this into any service planning,
individual assessment and/or intervention where possible.

3.3.1.4 You recognise that each person has their own philosophy of life,
and the potential significance of personal, spiritual, religious and
cultural beliefs.

3.3.1.5 You are attentive to and seek to meet personal, spiritual, religious
and cultural needs or choices within the intervention that you
provide, following local policy.

3.3.1.6 Where possible, a reasonable request to be treated or seen by a

practitioner with specific characteristics is met; for example, by a
professional and not a learner, by a male or female practitioner or
by a particular language speaker.

14 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 3.3.1.7 You do not impose your own faith or belief system on any situation
or person at work.

3.3.1.8 You report in writing to your employer, at the earliest date in your
employment, any personal circumstances, religious and/or cultural
beliefs that would influence how you carry out your duties. You
explore ways in which you can avoid placing an unreasonable
burden on colleagues in these circumstances. This does not affect
your general duties as set out in law or these Standards.

3.4 The importance of choice and personalised care

3.4.1 You have a continuing duty to respect and uphold the autonomy of those
who access the service. You encourage and enable choice, shared decision
making and partnership working in the occupational therapy process, if wanted
by the individual (see Section 3, point 3.5 on informed consent and mental
capacity and Section 4, point 4.5.6 on carer/family involvement).

3.4.1.1 Your practice is shaped by and focused on the occupational needs,

aspirations, values and choices of those who access the service.

3.4.1.2 You uphold the right of individuals and groups to make choices over
the plans that they wish to make and the intervention that you
provide.

3.4.1.3 Where possible, you use the individual’s preferred means of

communication, optimising their ability to participate in planning
and decision making by any suitable means.

3.4.1.4 You seek to act in the best interests of people to ensure their
optimum health, wellbeing and safety. If the choices of an individual
with mental capacity are considered unwise, they are still accepted
as the individual’s choice.

3.4.1.5 If an individual with mental capacity declines intervention, decides

not to follow all or part of your recommendations or chooses to
follow an alternative course of action, you fulfil your duty of care as
defined in Section 3, point 3.1.

3.5 Informed consent and mental capacity

3.5.1 Before any person is provided with any intervention or treatment, or
undergoes any investigation, it is necessary to obtain that person’s informed
consent. The fact that a person has given their consent is not sufficient.
Consent is only valid if it is properly ‘informed’, meaning that all relevant
information has been given to the person in a way that they understand. The
process of providing information will depend, in each case, on an assessment of
the information relevant to that particular person’s decision at that point in time.
Obtaining informed consent is a continuing requirement and may need repetition
if there is repeated intervention or any change in the intervention offered; it is
not a one-off event. Unless restricted by mental health and/or mental capacity
legislation, it is the overriding right of any individual to decide for themselves
whether or not to accept occupational therapy.

Section 3 Principles and standards – welfare and autonomy 15

 3.5.2 This principle reflects the right of individuals to make decisions over their own
body, health and wellbeing, and is a fundamental part of good practice. A
practitioner who does not respect this principle may be liable to both legal
action by the individual and action by their regulatory body.

3.5.3 For consent to be valid, it must be given voluntarily by the individual. They must
be provided with all the information that is relevant to their decision and must
have the mental capacity to understand and consent to the particular
intervention or decision.

3.5.3.1 You attend to current legislation, guidance and codes of practice

in relation to mental capacity and consent.

3.5.3.2 You give sufficient information, in an appropriate manner, to

enable people to give informed consent to any proposed action or
intervention concerning them.

3.5.3.3 All means necessary are utilised to enable individuals to

understand the nature and purpose of the proposed action or
intervention, including any possible risks involved.

3.5.3.4 As far as possible, you enable individuals to make their own

choices. Where their ability to give informed consent is restricted
or absent, you try to ascertain and respect the individual’s
preferences and wishes, at all times seeking to act in their best
interests. All decisions and actions taken are documented.

3.5.3.5 People have the right to refuse or withdraw consent for any
intervention at any time in the occupational therapy process. You
respect a person’s choices where possible, even when they
conflict with professional opinion (see Section 3, point 3.4).

3.5.3.6 You respect the choices of a child under the age of 16 who is of
sufficient maturity to be capable of making up their own mind on
the matter requiring decision (Gillick competence).

3.5.3.7 You record when and how consent is given, refused or

withdrawn, whether verbal, indicated or written.

3.5.3.8 When a person’s mental capacity is in doubt, you must assess

their ability to make decisions in relation to the proposed
occupational therapy provision, in accordance with current
legislation and guidance. This requires that you assess their
capacity in a four-stage process:

● Does the person understand what information you are giving

them?
● Can they retain the information so as to form an opinion?
● Can they weigh up the information and reach an informed
decision?
● Can they communicate that decision to you?

16 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 If you have any doubt about a person’s capacity to make a
decision, you record your decision together with the reasons for
your conclusions. You should not provide intervention unless
someone with mental capacity has given informed consent for you
to do so.

3.5.3.9 If the person does not have the mental capacity to give consent,
you cannot provide intervention unless:

● you have consent from someone who is legally authorised to

decide that the intervention is in the best interests of the person
(such as a health and welfare deputy);
● there is an Advance Decision or a court order permitting
treatment;
● or, rarely, where it is not possible to obtain informed consent,
but the intervention is urgent and you believe should be given in
the person’s best interests even though no one has provided
consent for the intervention.

3.5.3.10 You do not coerce or put pressure on a person to accept

intervention, but inform them of any possible risk or consequence
of refusing treatment. For those without mental capacity, a ‘best
interests’ decision is required.

3.6 Engaging with risk

3.6.1 As a practitioner, it is your role, as far as possible, to enable people to

overcome the barriers that prevent them from doing the activities that matter
to them, to take opportunities and not to see risk as another barrier.
(RCOT 2018a, Section 1.2, p2)

3.6.1.1 You embrace and engage with risk, assessing and managing it
in partnership with those who access the service.

3.6.1.2 You enable people to take the risks that they choose and to achieve
their chosen goals, as safely as reasonably possible.

3.6.1.3 You co-operate with your employers in meeting the requirements

of legislation and local policy, whilst enabling people who access
the service to gain optimal occupational performance and
autonomy in their lives. These requirements include health and
safety, risk management, moving and handling and digital risk
management.

3.6.1.4 You take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by what you do, or do not do (Great
Britain. Parliament 1974, section 7). The principles remain the
same whether the potential harm is to people, organisations or the
environment.

Section 3 Principles and standards – welfare and autonomy 17

 3.6.1.5 As much as is within your control, you:

● establish and maintain a safe practice environment, including

when travelling or in the community;
● establish and maintain safe working practices; and
● establish and maintain secure digital systems, including when
travelling or in the community.

3.6.1.6 You notify a line manager, or other designated person, when you
identify a risk that is not within your control.

3.6.1.7 You monitor, review and, where necessary, revise any situation
that entails risk.

3.6.1.8 When a person lacks the mental capacity to make certain choices,
risk does not necessarily limit best interests decisions, especially
when these take into account the individual’s stated preferences
and wishes. A risk assessment and a ‘best interests’ decision are
both required.

3.6.1.9 Where care for the person is shared with or transferred to

another practitioner or service, you co-operate with them to
ensure the health, safety and welfare of the individual (Great
Britain. Parliament 2014. Regulation 12 (2)(i)).

3.6.1.10 You ensure that you remain up to date in all your statutory training
to ensure safe practice, including risk management, health and
safety, safeguarding, moving and handling techniques and data
protection.

3.6.1.11 Where appropriate, you ensure that you and those for whom you
are responsible are trained, competent and safe in the selection
and use of relevant equipment, being attentive to local
procedures.

You are advised to read RCOT’s current guidance on risk management (RCOT 2018a).

18 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

Section 4
Principles and standards –
service provision
This section relates to the ways of thinking
and actions that form your practice.
 4.1 Focusing on occupation
4.1.1 Underpinning your practice is the belief that engagement in occupation (‘all the
things we need, want or have to do’ (Wilcock 2006, p14)) is fundamental to a
person’s health and wellbeing.

4.1.1.1 The ultimate professional rationale for your intervention or

activity, including in diverse settings or generic roles, is the
enhancement of health and wellbeing through the promotion of
occupational performance, engagement and participation in life
roles (RCOT 2019b).

4.1.1.2 You understand the relationship between the person, the occupation
and the environment and how one may affect, or be affected by, the
other.

4.1.1.3 You enable individuals, groups and communities to change aspects

of their person, the occupation or the environment, or some
combination of these, to enhance occupational performance,
engagement and participation in life roles.

4.1.1.4 Assessment, interventions, outcomes and documentation should be

centred on occupational performance, engagement and participation
in life roles.

4.2 Your professional rationale

4.2.1 Your actions are based on a set of logical professional reasons, which are
themselves informed by professional knowledge, skills and experience, and
published resources.

4.2.1.1 You are able to explain, and you record, your professional rationale
for anything you do for/with or in relation to those who access the
service.

4.2.1.2 You use national guidelines, current policy, research and best
available evidence to underpin and inform your reasoning, rationale
and practice.

4.2.1.3 Your practice is shaped or structured according to recognised

theories, frameworks and concepts that are applicable to
occupational therapy.

4.3 Access to occupational therapy

4.3.1 Access to occupational therapy is based on the occupational needs or aspirations

of the individual, group or community.

4.3.2 Access is offered equally without bias or prejudice, in keeping with clearly
documented procedures and criteria for your service/s (see Section 3, point 3.3).

20 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 4.3.3 You consider the possible occupational needs of those who access the service
and the potential benefit of occupational therapy, within the remit and context
of your particular service provision and your level and scope of practice.

4.3.4 Where occupational needs are not present, or where there are needs that
cannot be met by you/your service, you refer or direct individuals to alternative
services, information and advice, where available.

4.3.5 There are certain circumstances where you can refuse to provide, or choose to
withdraw, intervention. These include where there is fear of violence; where
there is harassment; where there is a lack of appropriate and safe equipment;
where you do not have the knowledge and skills; where there is a conscientious
objection; where you know the person accessing the service personally; where
you are asked to do something illegal; where you believe the intervention would
be harmful to the person; where it is not clinically justified; or where you
consider there has been a change in circumstances such that the intervention is
no longer covered by valid and informed consent.

4.3.6 You have the right to refuse to provide any intervention that you believe would
be harmful to a person accessing the service or that would not be clinically
justified, even if requested by another professional. The guidance given by the
Court of Appeal in the case of R (Burke) v. General Medical Council Official
Solicitor and others intervening (2005) is that if a form of treatment is not
clinically indicated, a practitioner is under no legal obligation to provide it,
although they should seek a second opinion. Similarly, a doctor who is
responsible for a service user may instruct a therapist not to carry out certain
forms of treatment if they believe them to be harmful to the service user
(Department of Health 1977).

4.4 Referral/request for assistance and assessment

4.4.1 Following receipt and/or acceptance of a referral or a request for assistance, the
service to which the case is allocated takes the legal responsibility and liability
for any assessment and possible intervention provided (see also Section 3, point
3.1).

4.4.2 If you have accepted someone onto a waiting list, you have a degree of
responsibility. If your service carries a waiting list or another reason causes a
significant delay before you take any action, you contact the individual and the
referrer, informing them of the situation.

4.4.3 Through interview, observation and/or specific assessment, you identify and
evaluate the occupational performance and participation needs of those who
access the service.

4.4.4 You use assessment techniques, tools and/or equipment that are relevant and
appropriate to those who access the service, their occupational needs and their
circumstances.

4.4.5 Your analysis of the assessment outcomes shows how the current situation or
conditions of those who access the service affect their occupational
performance and ability to participate.

Section 4 Principles and standards – service provision 21

 4.4.6 If, as a result of assessment, occupational therapy is considered inappropriate
for the person, you inform the individual and the referrer, giving your decision
and your rationale.

4.4.7 If further assessments or investigations are indicated, you initiate these or refer
to other services.

4.5 Intervention or recommendations

4.5.1 You work in partnership with those who access the service, agreeing their
objectives, priorities and timescales for intervention.

4.5.2 You develop personalised intervention plans, or recommendations, based on the

occupational performance needs, choices and aspirations of those who access
the service, as identified through your assessments.

4.5.3 You intervene as early as possible, to optimise outcomes and to reduce, delay or
prevent future needs where possible.

4.5.4 You promote wellbeing, encouraging healthy occupations and participation in

life roles.

4.5.5 You empower people to maintain their own health and wellbeing and to manage
their own occupational needs, wherever possible.

4.5.6 With the individual’s agreement, you actively involve their carers and/or family,
keeping them informed and included in decision making, as appropriate.

4.5.7 In order to enable carers and/or family to be involved, their requirements and
needs are incorporated into the interventions/recommendations, where
necessary.

4.5.8 If indicated and with consent, you refer any carer for an assessment of their
own needs.

4.5.9 You consider how the assets and strengths of the individual, their carers/family
and their communities can be used to maximise their occupational performance
and participation.

4.5.10 You review and modify your plans and interventions regularly in partnership
with those who access the service.

4.5.11 Any decision to cease intervention is informed by your evaluation and the
choices of the person who is accessing your service (see Section 3, point 3.1.6).

4.6 Outcomes – quality, value and effectiveness

4.6.1 You evaluate the value and benefit of your intervention for those who access the
service in terms of their occupational performance, participation and wellbeing.

4.6.2 You use outcome measures to monitor, review and demonstrate the ongoing
effectiveness of your intervention.
22 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics
 4.6.3 You include the views and experiences of individuals or communities when
evaluating your practice.

4.6.4 Your evaluation takes account of information gathered from other relevant
sources, such as carers and/or family, or other professionals.

4.6.5 You undertake audits against appropriate available standards to facilitate

service improvement.

4.6.6 You collect and collate outcome data to meet the requirements of
commissioners/funders of services.

4.6.7 Where possible, you collect and use data to demonstrate the value for money of
the service/s you provide.

4.6.8 You use the information you collect, with other national, local and professional
guidance and research evidence, to improve the quality, value and effectiveness
of the service/s you provide.

4.7 Developing and using the profession’s evidence base

4.7.1 You take every opportunity to engage with research, proportionate to your
scope and level of practice.

4.7.2 You reflect on the value and importance of research as the foundation of the
profession’s evidence base.

4.7.3 You access, understand and critically evaluate research and its outcomes,
incorporating it into your practice where appropriate to provide evidence-
informed interventions.

4.7.4 You incorporate evidence-based outcome measures and research activity into
your practice, to demonstrate the effectiveness of intervention and services.

4.7.5 When undertaking any form of research activity:

● You understand the principles of ethical research and adhere to national and
local research governance requirements.
● You follow professional, national and local ethics approval and permission
processes.
● You make every effort to work collaboratively with people who access
services during all stages of the research process.
● You protect the interests of participants, fellow researchers and others.
● You establish and follow appropriate procedures for obtaining informed
consent, with due regard to the needs and capacity of participants.
● You protect the confidentiality of participants throughout and after the
research process and adhere to UK data protection laws.
● You disseminate your research findings using appropriate local, national and
international methods.

Section 4 Principles and standards – service provision 23

 This benefits those who access occupational therapy services, contributes to
the body of evidence that supports occupational therapy, and assists with the
translation of evidence into practice.

4.8 Keeping records

4.8.1 Good practice in keeping records protects the welfare of those who access the
service. As such, it forms part of your duty of care. Your records are also your
evidence that you have fulfilled your duty of care in your practice.

4.8.1.1 You create and maintain a comprehensive written or digital record

of all that has been done for/with, on behalf of, or in relation to
those who access the service.

4.8.1.2 Your records are comprehensive and accurate.

4.8.1.3 Your records are completed promptly, as soon as practically

possible after the activity occurs.

4.8.1.4 All records, whether written or digital, are legible, understandable,

clearly dated, timed, kept chronologically and attributable to the
person making the entry.

4.8.1.5 You demonstrate that your practice is appropriate by recording

your clinical/professional rationale.

4.8.1.6 You identify the evidence that informs your practice, where
available.

4.8.1.7 You include all your risk assessments, actions taken to manage
the risk and any outcomes.

4.8.1.8 Your records demonstrate how you meet your duty of care.

4.8.1.9 Your records demonstrate that your practice is effective.

4.8.1.10 You process your records according to current legislation,

guidance and local policy.

4.8.1.11 You explain your reason for recording and processing information
to those who access the service.

4.8.1.12 You comply with any legal requirements and local policy in
relation to confidentiality, the sharing of information and any
individual’s request to access their own records.

4.8.1.13 You keep your records securely, retaining and disposing of them
according to legal requirements and local policy.

You are advised to read RCOT’s current guidance on keeping records (RCOT 2018b)
for further information.

24 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

4.9 Confidentiality and sharing information

4.9.1 Confidentiality is an important legal and ethical duty, but it is not absolute.
There is a balance between the professional and legal responsibility to respect
and protect the confidentiality of those who access the service, and sharing
information for the wellbeing and protection of the individual or the wider
public.

The same protections and restrictions apply to information/data stored and

transferred via hard copy or digitally and when communicating with others via
any medium, including virtual/online communities and networks.

You abide by the current versions of the UK General Data Protection Regulation
(UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (Great Britain. Parliament 2018)
in all your information/data processing.

4.9.1.1 You familiarise yourself with your duties under legislation,

regulations and local policy.

4.9.1.2 You safeguard verbal, written or digital confidential information

(data) relating to those who access the service, at all times.

4.9.1.3 Discussions with or concerning an individual should be held in a

location and manner appropriate to the protection of their right to
confidentiality and privacy.

4.9.1.4 You must have a valid, lawful basis for sharing or using a person’s
information. This must be recorded (Information Commissioner’s
Office 2019, p51).

4.9.1.5 You explain the reason and seek consent for sharing any relevant
information.

4.9.1.6 Members of a team should share confidential information when it

is needed for the safe and effective care of the person accessing
the service (Health and Social Care Information Centre 2013, p13).

4.9.1.7 You share information in the best interests of those who access the
service within the framework of the Caldicott Principles 2013
(Department of Health 2013), i.e. the information necessary for the
purpose with those who have a clear ‘need to know’.

4.9.1.8 You share relevant confidential information where there is legal

justification (by statute or court order) or where it is considered to
be in the individual’s or public interest in order to prevent serious
harm, injury or damage. You follow local policy and inform the
individual where possible.

4.9.1.9 When an individual has objected to specific information being

shared, this is respected unless there is a legal requirement to
share (Health and Social Care Information Centre 2013, p25).

Section 4 Principles and standards – service provision 25

 4.9.1.10 You adhere to local and national policy regarding confidentiality
and security in the storage, movement and transfer of information,
in all formats and media, at all times, making them available only
to those who have a legitimate right or need to see them.

4.9.1.11 You grant individuals access to their own records in accordance

with relevant legislation and current guidance/policy (both local
and national) (Information Commissioner’s Office 2019, p101).

4.9.1.12 You obtain and record consent prior to using visual, oral, written
or digital material relating to individuals for wider purposes (such
as teaching). The person’s confidentiality and choice must be
observed in these circumstances.

See also Section 4, point 4.7.5 in relation to confidentiality in

research.

4.10 Resources and sustainability

4.10.1 It is a universal responsibility to work as effectively and efficiently as possible to

make best use of and sustain environmental, physical, financial, human and
personal resources, whilst seeking to meet the needs of those who access the
service. This means using resources to deliver services in a way that does not
compromise the health of present or future generations (Stancliffe 2014).

4.10.1.1 You seek to ensure that your service meets the needs of those
who access it, now and in the future.

4.10.1.2 You seek to gain and provide value for money when acquiring or
providing goods and services.

4.10.1.3 You seek ‘to re-evaluate practice models and expand clinical
reasoning about occupational performance to include sustainable
practice’ (World Federation of Occupational Therapists 2012).

4.10.1.4 Where service resources are limited, any priorities that are
identified and choices made are compliant with legal
requirements, and national and/or local policy.

4.10.1.5 In establishing priorities and providing services, the choices of

those who access the service are taken into account and
implemented wherever reasonably possible.

4.10.1.6 Where a person’s first choice cannot be met, you explain this and
offer an alternative where available. If this is not possible, or is
unacceptable:

● you refer individuals to or provide information on different

service providers, sources of funding, etc.
● you ensure you meet your duty of care, as detailed in
Section 3, point 3.1.

26 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 4.10.1.7 If the person lacks the mental capacity to identify their preferences,
you should not provide any intervention unless:

● you have obtained consent from someone who is legally

authorised to decide that the intervention is in the best interests
of the person or the court;
● an Advance Decision exists covering the treatment; or
● the treatment is required urgently and you believe treatment
should be provided in their best interests, according to
legislation, guidance and policy.

4.10.1.8 You recognise the limits of your own capacity and do not extend
your workload or remit to the detriment of the quality or safety of
your practice or service.

4.10.1.9 You document, report and provide evidence (to the relevant
manager) on resource and service deficiencies that may endanger
the health and safety of those who access the service, carers,
yourself or your colleagues (Great Britain. Parliament 1998, section
43B, point (1)d). Local policy should be followed.

4.10.1.10 As a manager or leader, you act on any reports concerning

resources and service deficiencies, seeking to ensure the health
and safety of all those affected by your service.

You are advised to read the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ Sustainability
matters: guiding principles for sustainability in occupational therapy practice, education
and scholarship for further information (Shann et al 2018).

Section 4 Principles and standards – service provision 27

Section 5
Principles and standards –
professionalism
This section relates to the conduct and attitude
expected of you.
5.1 Professionalism

Professionalism goes beyond being a capable practitioner. It concerns how a practitioner

represents themselves, their employer and their profession to others. It is the way of
thinking, values and motivations that underpin the behaviours and interactions seen.

Your behaviour may be deemed unacceptable when it does not have the wellbeing of
those who access the service at its core, or when it undermines confidence in the service,
organisation or profession. This may be whilst in your work role, or outside of your work
role.

5.2 Equality and inclusion

5.2.1 You must comply with the law and the requirements set out in The Equality
Act 2010 (Great Britain. Parliament 2010), and not discriminate against the
following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment,
marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or
belief, sex and sexual orientation.

5.2.2 You embrace and value the diversity of everyone equally, across all aspects of
life, and this is reflected in your practice.

5.2.3 You recognise your own internal biases and the role you play in addressing
continued systemic discrimination within your own practice and wider
systems.

5.3 Professional conduct

5.3.1 You are accountable for your actions and behaviours, both inside and
away from the workplace.

5.3.2 You maintain professional boundaries at all times.

5.3.3 You reflect on and take responsibility for:

● the impression and impact you make on others, conducting and presenting
yourself in a professional manner whilst in your work or study role;
● your conduct outside of your work or study role, in situations where your
behaviour and actions may be witnessed by, or have an impact on, your
colleagues, your employer, those who access the service and/or the public.

5.3.4 You adhere to statutory and local policy at all times.

Section 5 Principles and standards – professionalism 29

 5.4 Professional conduct on digital platforms, including social media

5.4.1 You reflect on and take responsibility for the way you use digital platforms.

5.4.2 Your conduct and content on digital platforms and social media do nothing to
undermine confidence in your professional practice or rationale, your employer
or your profession.

5.4.3 When using digital platforms and social media, you recognise that you are
presenting yourself, through words and images, to a wide group of people.

5.4.4 You consider the outcome that, if you are known to be or identified as a
practitioner or an employee, your words and images may be seen as
representative of or applicable to your profession and/or your employer.

5.5 Professional and personal integrity

5.5.1 You act with honesty and integrity at all times.

5.5.2 You do not engage in any criminal or otherwise unlawful or unprofessional

behaviour or activity, which is likely to damage the public’s confidence in you or
your profession.

5.5.3 You do not undertake any professional activities when under the influence of
alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances.

5.5.4 You inform HCPC and/or your employers if you are convicted of a criminal
offence, receive a conditional discharge for an offence or if you accept a
police caution.

5.5.5 If a registered occupational therapist, you inform HCPC if you have had any
restriction placed on your practice, or have been suspended or dismissed by
an employer or similar organisation, because of concerns about your
conduct or competence.

5.5.6 You co-operate with any investigation or formal inquiry into your own
professional conduct, the conduct of another worker or the treatment of a
person who accesses the service, where appropriate.

5.6 Communication

5.6.1 Your language and communication style and manner are always professional,
whether towards your colleagues or those who access the service.

5.6.2 You are able to articulate the purpose of occupational therapy and the reason
for any intervention being undertaken, so enabling fully informed consent and
promoting understanding of the profession.

5.6.3 You communicate clearly, openly and effectively.

30 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 5.6.4 You reflect on the potential significance and impact of verbal and non-verbal
communication, remaining sensitive to the diversity of backgrounds,
experiences and needs of your listeners.

5.6.5 Where possible and appropriate, you facilitate communication in the

individual’s preferred or first language.

5.6.6 Discussions related to those who access the service are held in a way that
maintains their dignity and privacy.

5.6.7 You clearly and accurately participate in formal and informal reporting.

5.6.8 You communicate effectively within your line management structure.

5.6.9 You document your communication where a record is needed.

5.7 Collaborative working

5.7.1 You actively seek to build and sustain positive professional relationships.

5.7.2 You respect the responsibilities, practices and roles of other people with whom
you work.

5.7.3 You respect and value the diversity of your colleagues, recognising the unique
assets they bring to the workplace.

5.7.4 You act with integrity towards your colleagues at all times, treating them fairly
and equally, without discrimination, bullying or harassment. Bullying and
discriminatory behaviour are unacceptable and unprofessional.

5.7.5 If you experience or witness bullying and/or discriminatory behaviour, you raise
your concerns with a line manager or other appropriate person and follow
statutory and local policy.

5.7.6 You work with others within your area of expertise to promote knowledge,
skills, and safe and effective practice.

5.7.7 You work collaboratively with or refer to your colleagues, utilising their skills to
maximise the outcomes of intervention when appropriate.

5.7.8 You consult with other service providers when additional knowledge, expertise
and/or support are required.

5.7.9 You refer a person who accesses the service to another appropriate colleague
if the task is outside of your level or scope of practice (see Section 6, point 6.2).

5.7.10 You recognise the need for interprofessional and multiagency collaboration to
ensure that well-co-ordinated, person-centred services are delivered in the
most effective ways.

5.7.11 You work and communicate with colleagues and representatives of other
organisations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people accessing services.

Section 5 Principles and standards – professionalism 31

 5.7.12 When you and another occupational therapy practitioner are working with the
same person, you work co-operatively, liaising with each other and agreeing
areas of responsibility. This is communicated to the person and all relevant
parties.

5.7.13 You seek consent from those who access the service for their personal
information to be shared with colleagues or other services where necessary.

5.8 Professional and personal relationships

5.8.1 It is your responsibility to ensure that you maintain a professional relationship

with those who access the service and that you always act in their best
interests.

If concerns are raised about any relationship, sexual or otherwise, it will always
be your responsibility to demonstrate that you have not exploited the
vulnerability of an individual, regardless of when the relationship may have
started or ended, or however consensual it may have been.

5.8.1.1 You foster appropriate therapeutic relationships with those who

access the service in a transparent, ethical and impartial way.

5.8.1.2 You maintain a professional relationship and high standards of

care in situations where there is tension or discord.

5.8.1.3 You do not enter into relationships that would impair your
judgement and objectivity and/or that would give rise to the
advantageous or disadvantageous treatment of any individual or
group.

5.8.1.4 You do not enter into relationships that exploit individuals sexually,
physically, emotionally, financially, socially or in any other manner.

5.8.1.5 You do not exploit any professional relationship for any form of
personal gain or benefit.

5.8.1.6 You avoid entering into a close personal relationship with an

individual whilst you are responsible for providing occupational
therapy, but instead maintain an appropriate professional
relationship.

5.8.1.7 If there is a risk that any professional boundary may be broken,

you disclose and discuss this with your manager. In these
circumstances, you hand over therapy care for the individual to an
appropriate professional colleague.

5.8.1.8 As far as is reasonably practical, you do not enter into a

professional relationship with someone with whom you
already have or have had a close personal relationship. This
includes family members, neighbours, partners and friends.

32 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 5.8.1.9 Where there is no reasonable alternative, you make every effort to
remain professional and objective whilst working with an individual
you know or have known.

5.8.1.10 In these circumstances, this is disclosed and discussed with your

manager and a note made in relevant records. This is for your
protection as much as for the person accessing the service.

5.9 The professionalism of colleagues

5.9.1 Any reference you make to the quality of work or the integrity of a professional
colleague is expressed with due care.

5.9.2 You raise your concerns with a line manager or other appropriate person and
follow statutory and local policy if:

● you become aware that something has gone wrong or someone has
suffered harm as a result of a colleague’s actions or omissions;
● you become aware of any intentional malpractice, criminal conduct or
unprofessional activity, whether by occupational therapy personnel or other
staff; or
● you are aware of any kind of discrimination, bullying and/or harassment in
the workplace, whether towards colleagues or those who access the
service.

5.9.3 The information you provide is objective, relevant, evidence based where
possible and limited to the matter of concern.

5.9.4 If giving evidence in an inquiry or court case concerning any alleged

negligence or misconduct of a colleague, the evidence you provide is objective
and substantiated.

5.10 Personal profit or gain

5.10.1 You do not accept tokens such as favours, gifts or hospitality from those who
access the service, their families or commercial organisations when this might
be construed as seeking to obtain preferential treatment (Great Britain.
Parliament 1889, 1906, 1916). In respect of private practice, this principle still
prevails in terms of personal gain.

5.10.2 Local policy is always observed in the case of gifts.

5.10.3 If an individual or their family makes a bequest to a practitioner or a service, it

is declared according to local policy.

5.10.4 You put the interests of those who access the service first and do not let this
duty be influenced by any commercial or other interest that conflicts with this
duty: for example, in arrangements with commercial providers that may
influence contracting for the provision of equipment, or care and support.

Section 5 Principles and standards – professionalism 33

 5.11 Information and representation

5.11.1 Information and/or advertising (in any format or on any platform) in respect of
professional activities or work is accurate. It is not misleading, unfair or
sensational and complies with any relevant legislation.

5.11.2 You accurately represent your qualifications, education, experience, training,

capability and the services you provide. Explicit claims are not made in respect
of superiority of personal skills, equipment or facilities.

5.11.3 You respect the intellectual property rights of others at all times. You do not
claim another person’s work or achievements as your own unless the claim can
be fully justified.

5.11.4 You only advertise, promote or recommend a product or service in an accurate

and objective way. You do not provide preferential or unjustifiable information
about a product or service.

5.11.5 If you are aware that possible misrepresentation of the protected title
‘occupational therapist’ has occurred, you raise a concern with the HCPC.

34 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

Section 6
Principles and standards –
capability and fitness to
practise
This section relates to your ability to meet the demands
of your role safely and effectively.
 6.1 Fitness to practise

The HCPC refer to a practitioner’s ‘fitness to practise’, which means you have the skills,
knowledge, experience, character and health to practise safely and effectively (HCPC 2017b,
p4). In order to remain competent, you need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date
and relevant to your level and scope of practice. You also need to be attentive to and look
after your own physical and mental health and wellbeing.

6.2 Your professional competence

6.2.1 You only provide services and use techniques for which you are qualified by
your professional education, ongoing learning and/or experience. These
must be within your professional competence, appropriate to the needs of
those who access the service, and relate to your terms of employment.

6.2.2 You have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to make reliable
professional judgements, suitable to your level of responsibility and scope of
practice.

6.2.3 You seek advice or refer to another professional when you do not have sufficient
knowledge and/or skills.

6.2.4 You are attentive to and abide by the current legislation, guidance and
standards that are relevant to your level and scope of practice and place of
work.

6.2.5 You make yourself aware of developments within the profession and current
research, relevant to your level and scope of practice, applying these where
appropriate and possible.

6.3 Maintaining and expanding your capability

6.3.1 You continuously maintain high standards in your professional knowledge, skills
and conduct across the four Pillars of Practice: Professional Practice; Facilitation
of Learning; Leadership; and Evidence, Research and Development (RCOT 2021).

6.3.2 You reflect on and apply the Principles for continuing professional development
and lifelong learning in health and social care (Interprofessional CPD and
Lifelong Learning UK Working Group 2019). The five principles state that
continuing professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning should:

1: be each person’s responsibility and be made possible and supported by your

employer;
2: benefit service users;
3: improve the quality of service delivery;

36 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 4: be balanced and relevant to each person’s area of practice or employment;
and
5: be recorded and show the effect on each person’s area of practice.
(Interprofessional CPD and Lifelong Learning UK Working Group 2019, p6)

6.3.3 You remain up to date with any changes to legislation, guidance and
standards, both general and specific to your level and scope of practice.

6.3.4 You remain up to date with professional developments, guidance and research,
both general and specific to your level and scope of practice.

6.3.5 You participate in any statutory and mandatory training required for your work.

6.3.6 You seek to extend your capabilities, across all four Pillars of Practice, through
post-graduate study, which may or may not be award bearing.

6.3.7 You maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of your CPD
activities, according to the requirements of the Health and Care
Professions Council (HCPC 2017a, p5).

6.3.8 As a practitioner, you receive and/or provide regular professional supervision

and appraisal, where critical reflection is used to review practice. This may be
provided locally or via long-arm support.

6.3.9 You support the learning and development of colleagues and the profession by
sharing your knowledge, skills and experience.

6.3.10 You keep up to date with digital skills, understanding the scope, benefits and
potential impact of emerging digital technologies to ensure that you can make
best use of what is available.
For further information about continuing professional development, please refer to the
Interprofessional CPD and Lifelong Learning UK Working Group (2019) Principles for
continuing professional development and lifelong learning in health and social care.

6.4 Changing roles and responsibilities

6.4.1 If you seek or are asked to work in areas within which you have less
experience, you ensure that you have adequate skills and knowledge for safe
and effective practice and that you have access to appropriate supervision and
support (see Section 6, point 6.2).

6.4.2 You assess any possible risks in taking on a different role or responsibilities, to
ensure that you provide a safe service.

6.4.3 If you are asked to act up or cover for an absent colleague, or if you are asked
to take on additional tasks, such duties are only undertaken after discussion,
considering additional planning, support, supervision, and/or learning and
development requirements.*

*
Circumstances may require you to be flexible in what you do. You need to use your professional judgement to remain
safe in your practice and always work in the best interests of those who access the service. It is the responsibility of the
organisations in which you work to ensure you are supported to do this (NHS England et al 2020)

Section 6 Principles and standards – capability and fitness to practise 37

 6.4.4 You ensure that adequate support and learning opportunities are provided to
enable you to carry out any additional tasks or responsibilities safely and
effectively.

6.4.5 You formally raise any concerns you may have about your capability to carry
out any additional tasks or responsibilities.

6.4.6 If you find that you cannot agree to such a request, you contact your local union
representative for advice and support where necessary.

6.5 Delegation

6.5.1 When you delegate interventions or other procedures, you ensure that the
person to whom you are delegating is competent to carry them out.

6.5.2 You provide appropriate supervision and support for the individual to whom you
have delegated the task/s.

6.5.3 Although all registered practitioners are autonomous professionals, responsible

for their own practice and professional judgement, you, as delegating
practitioner, retain ultimate accountability for any actions taken.

6.6 The capability of colleagues

6.6.1 Should you have reasonable grounds to believe that the conduct or professional
performance of a colleague may be deficient in standards of professional
capability, you notify their line manager or other appropriate person in strictest
confidence. This includes (but is not limited to) when:

● a colleague’s performance is seriously deficient;

● they have a health problem that is impairing their competence to practise; or
● they are practising in a manner that places those who access the service or
colleagues at risk.

6.6.2 In reporting any concerns to a line manager or other appropriate person, the
information is objective, relevant, substantiated where possible and limited to
the matter of concern.

6.6.3 If asked for a second opinion by a person who accesses the service and/or their
carer, it is confined to the case in question and not extended to the general
capability of any other practitioner.

38 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

6.7 Occupational therapy pre-registration practice-based learning

6.7.1 You take professional responsibility for providing regular practice-based

learning opportunities for pre-registration occupational therapy learners
where possible and for promoting a learning culture within the workplace.

6.7.2 You recognise the need for personal development and learning to fulfil the role
of the practice educator and, where possible, undertake appropriate study.

6.7.3 As practice educator, you provide an experience of practice for learners that
complies with the current version of the RCOT Learning and development
standards for pre-registration education (RCOT 2019a) and current
professional standards, and is compatible with the stage of the learner’s
education or training.

6.7.4 As practice educator, you have a clear understanding of the role and
responsibilities for yourself, the learner and the education provider.

More information is available from the current versions of the RCOT Learning and
development standards for pre-registration education (RCOT 2019a) and the Career
development framework (RCOT 2021).

6.8 Your health and fitness to practise

6.8.1 You monitor and proactively look after your own physical and mental health
and wellbeing.

6.8.2 You seek help or advice at the earliest opportunity should your physical or
mental health become a concern.

6.8.3 You make changes to how you practise, or you stop practising, if your health
may affect your ability to perform your job capably and safely.

6.8.4 You inform your employer/appropriate authority and the HCPC about any
health or personal condition that you believe may affect your ability to practise
safely and effectively, if you are unable to adapt your work or if you need to
stop practising (HCPC 2017b, p6).

More information on informing the regulatory body is available from Guidance on health
and character (HCPC 2017b).

Section 6 Principles and standards – capability and fitness to practise 39

Section 7
Key terms
RCOT has selected or developed these definitions
and explanations to help with the understanding of
this document.
 Autonomous A fundamental element of the Health and Care Professions Council
Standards of proficiency for occupational therapists (HCPC 2013),
practice this is the ability to assess a professional situation and address it
appropriately, with the relevant occupational therapy knowledge and
experience. It is also inclusive of the ability to make reasoned decisions,
to be able to justify these decisions and accept personal responsibility
for all actions.

Best The best interests approach asks whether any proposed course of
action is the best one for the individual, taking into account their:
interests
• past and present wishes and feelings;
• b
 eliefs and values that may have influenced the decision being
made, had the person had capacity; and
• other factors that the individual would be likely
to consider if they had capacity.

Candour ‘Telling patients openly and honestly that something has gone wrong
with their care is an essential part of a healthcare professional’s
(duty of) practice. The obligation to do so is known as the professional duty of
candour.’
(Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
2019, Section 1.1)

Capability The ability to do something. ‘A step beyond competence; capable

practitioners can handle change and devise solutions in complex
situations.’
(McGee and Inman 2019, p14)

Carer Someone who provides (or intends to provide), paid or unpaid, a

substantial amount of care on a regular basis for someone of any age
who is unwell, or who, for whatever reason, cannot care for
themselves independently.
(Based on Great Britain. Parliament 1995)
This is sometimes divided into formal carers (care workers), who are
paid to give care, and informal carers (often family), who are not paid
to provide care.

Section 7 Key terms 41

 Competence/ ‘Competence is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities at a
level of expertise sufficient to be able to perform in an appropriate
Competency work setting.’
(Harvey 2020)

Confidentiality Confidentiality means protecting personal information. There is an

ethical and legal duty to protect people’s personal information from
improper disclosure. Appropriate information-sharing is an essential
part of the provision of safe and effective care.
(Adapted from General Medical Council 2017, p10)

Continuing The way in which an individual continues to learn and develop

throughout their career, including during their pre-registration
professional programme. CPD is essential and evolves skills, knowledge,
development professional identity and professional conduct so that individuals stay
(CPD) up to date and practise safely and effectively.
(Adapted from Interprofessional CPD and Lifelong Learning UK
Working Group 2019)

Data ‘Data protection is the fair and proper use of information about people.
It’s part of the fundamental right to privacy – but on a more practical
protection level, it’s really about building trust between people and organisations.’
(Information Commissioner’s Office 2019)

Delegate To give an assignment to another person, or to assign a task to another

person, to carry out on one’s behalf, whilst maintaining control and
responsibility.

Digital ‘Digital technologies are electronic tools, systems, devices and

resources that generate, store or process data.’
technology
(Victoria State Government – Education and Training 2019)

42 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 Discrimination Treating a person, or particular group of people, less favourably than
another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation,
based on an identifiable characteristic.
(Adapted from European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights,
Council of Europe 2011, p22)
The Equality Act 2010 identifies the following protected
characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil
partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and
sexual orientation.
(Great Britain. Parliament 2010, chapter 1)

Diverse Settings or roles in which occupational therapists traditionally have not

worked.
settings

Diversity ‘The fact of many different types of things or people being included in
something; a range of different things or people.’
(Cambridge University Press 2020)
‘The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It
means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing
our individual differences.’
(Queensborough Community College 2018)

Duty of care A responsibility to act in a way that ensures that injury, loss or damage
will not be carelessly or intentionally inflicted on the individual or body
to whom/which the duty is owed, as a result of the performance of
those actions.
A duty of care arises:
• When there is a sufficiently close relationship between two parties
(e.g. two individuals, or an individual and an organisation). Such a
relationship exists between a person who accesses the service and
the member of the occupational therapy workforce to whom they
have been referred, whilst the episode of care is ongoing.
• Where it is foreseeable that the actions of one party may cause
harm to the other.
• Where it is fair, just and reasonable in all the circumstances to
impose such a duty.
(Caparo Industries Plc v Dickman 1990)

Section 7
1 Introduction
Key terms 43
 Environment The circumstances, objects or conditions that make up a person’s
surroundings, in which they live and that they experience. This might
include physical, social, societal, cultural or economic environments.

Equality ‘Equality is about ensuring that every individual has an equal

opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents.
‘It is also the belief that no one should have poorer life chances
because of the way they were born, where they come from, what they
believe, or whether they have a disability.
‘Equality recognises that historically certain groups of people with
protected characteristics such as race, disability, sex and sexual
orientation have experienced discrimination.’
(Equality and Human Rights Commission 2018)

Ethical A quality or status that describes the reasoning, actions and

behaviours of a person, group (or organisation) as right in the moral
sense.

Ethics Principles and values that govern the reasoning, actions and
behaviours of a person or group, in this case within a profession. These
often relate to beliefs about what is morally right and wrong.

Generic role A generic role may involve combining tasks previously undertaken by
different professions. This might be a part or all of a role. For example,
or practice providing management support across a range of professional groups
or carrying out a range of health checks within the community.

Gillick As a result of the Gillick case, in England today, except in situations

that are regulated otherwise by law, the legal right to make a decision
competency on any particular matter concerning the child shifts from the parent to
the child when the child reaches sufficient maturity to be capable of
making up his or her own mind on the matter requiring decision.
(Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority 1985)
Separate legislation applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

44 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 Governance ‘Governance encompasses the system by which an organisation is
controlled and operates, and the mechanisms by which it, and its
people, are held to account. Ethics, risk management, compliance and
administration are all elements of governance.’
(Governance Institute of Australia 2020)

Hand over To give away or entrust the responsibility for an individual to another.
The handover action is complete when the receiving person
acknowledges and accepts management and responsibility.
This is not to be confused with the role of the practitioner in a ward/
case handover, where they may report information to other staff but
still retain responsibility for the occupational therapy provided to the
individual.

Healthy Activities that encourage and develop health and wellbeing, or

decrease the risk of injury or disease.
occupations

Human rights ‘Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every
person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of
where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your
life. They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be
restricted – for example if a person breaks the law, or in the interests of
national security.
‘These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness,
equality, respect and independence. These values are defined and
protected by law.
‘In Britain our human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act
1998.’
(Equality and Human Rights Commission 2019)

Inclusion Inclusion is a universal human right. The aim of inclusion is to embrace

and value the diversity of everyone equally, across all aspects of life. It
is about giving equal access and opportunities, and removing barriers.
It is also about giving respect, and getting rid of discrimination and
intolerance.

Section 7
1 Introduction
Key terms 45
 Informed Informed consent is an ongoing agreement by a person to receive
treatment, undergo procedures or participate in research, after the
consent risks, benefits and alternatives have been adequately explained to
them. Informed consent is a continuing requirement. Therefore,
occupational therapy personnel must ensure that those who access
the service continue to understand the information with which they
have been provided, and any changes to that information, thereby
continuing to consent to the intervention or research in which they are
participating.
In order for informed consent to be considered valid, the individual
who accesses the service must have the capacity to understand the
information and use it to make an informed decision. The consent must
be given voluntarily and be free from undue influence.
Alternatively the consent may be given by a health and welfare deputy
or by a court.

Intervention The work you do for and with individuals/groups, which might include
providing services such as care and support, information,
recommendations or advice, direction, supervision and education.
‘The process and skilled actions taken by occupational therapy
practitioners ... to facilitate engagement in occupation.’
(O’Brien et al 2012, p180)

Learner ‘An individual enrolled in an occupational therapy pre-registration

programme, regardless of which entry route into the profession the
learner is enrolled in. Learners may also be known as “students” or, in
the case of apprenticeship pre-registration programmes, “apprentices”.’
(Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2019a, p12)

Lifelong ‘Formal and informal learning opportunities that allow an individual to

continuously develop and improve the knowledge and skills they need
learning for employment and personal fulfilment.’
(Interprofessional CPD and Lifelong Learning UK Working Group
2019)

46 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 Mental ‘‘‘Mental capacity” means being able to make your own decisions.
capacity ‘Someone lacking capacity – because of an illness or disability such as
(lacking) a mental health problem, dementia or a learning disability – cannot do
one or more of the following four things:
• Understand information given to them about a particular decision
• Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision
• Weigh up the information available to make the decision
• Communicate their decision.’
(Mental Health Foundation 2019)
Mental capacity, or a lack thereof, may be time-limited and context-
specific. Consider that it may be possible to explain risks and benefits
by an alternative means or with the assistance of family members who
have experience of communicating with the individual concerned.

Occupation ‘In occupational therapy, occupations refer to the everyday activities

that people do as individuals, in families and with communities to
occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.’
(World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) 2019)
‘Occupation includes the things we need, want or have to do.’
(Wilcock 2006, p14)

Occupation- Occupation-centred describes an approach where occupation is at the

core. It is made up of occupation-focused and occupation-based
centered practice.

Occupation- Occupation-focused describes practice where information about the

person, environment and occupation relates closely with occupational
focused performance.
(Fisher 2013)

Occupational A person’s ability to carry out the activities and roles that they need,
want, or are expected to do in their daily life.
performance

Section 7 Key terms 47

 Occupational For the purposes of this document, this is a collective term that
includes occupational therapists, support workers and occupational
therapy therapy learners, including students and apprentices. It is applicable to
workforce practitioners in all roles, including those who are in management and
leadership, education, research, consultancy and advisory roles, and
working in industry.

Outcome ‘An outcome measure is a standardised instrument used by therapists

to establish whether their desired therapeutic outcomes have been
measure achieved.’
(Laver Fawcett 2007, p12)

Participation ‘Participation is involvement in a life situation.’

(World Health Organization 2002, p10)
‘Participation can take on both objective (for example, frequency) and
subjective dimensions involving experiences of meaning, belonging,
choice, control, and the feeling of participation.’
(Eriksson et al 2007; Hemmingsson and Jonsson 2005 in
Bonnard and Anaby 2016, p188)

People who The term ‘people (or those) who access the service’ has been used for
those to whom you provide intervention. This may be an individual,
access the families and carers, a group or a community.
service

Personal A relationship that exists for social or emotional reasons. This may be
with a colleague or may develop with a person who accesses the
relationship service.

Personalised A personalised approach to health and care ensures that people are in
control of and are given choices in the way their needs are addressed,
care planned and delivered. This approach is based on people’s strengths
and what matters to them. It ensures that individuals are active
participants, not just passive recipients, of the support they receive.

Practice ‘An occupational therapist who supervises, facilitates learning,

assesses and supports a pre-registration learner during the required
educator 1000 hours of successfully completed practice-based learning.’
(RCOT 2019a, p13)

48 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

 Practice-based ‘Occupational therapy education delivered in a variety of settings that
allows learners to apply and practise their newly acquired knowledge
learning and skills in a safe environment. Practice-based learning has
traditionally occurred in role-established settings, such as hospitals
and community health services; however, alternative and non-
traditional settings are also integral to pre-registration programmes.
The inclusion of practice-based learning settings in which there is no
existing occupational therapy role is important to develop learners with
leadership skills who are capable of working in diverse settings.’
(RCOT 2019a, p13)

Practitioner For the purposes of this document, the term ‘practitioner’ has been
used to identify you as the active individual, wherever you work and
whatever your scope and level of practice within the occupational
therapy workforce.

Professional A professional boundary is the line between acceptable and

unacceptable behaviour for a practitioner who is part of or represents
boundary a profession.
(Adapted from General Social Care Council 2009, p5)

Professional ‘The process used by practitioners to plan, direct, perform and reflect
on client care.’
(clinical)
(Schell et al 2014)
reasoning

Professional The basis for your course of action, based on your professional
reasoning.
rationale

Professional A formal relationship that exists for the purpose of carrying out your
role, with boundaries governed by policies, procedures and agreed
relationship ways of working.

Reasonable An objective standard. Something (e.g. an act or decision) is

reasonable if the act or decision is one that a well-informed observer
would also do or make.

Section 7 Key terms 49

 Scope of This is the area or areas of your profession in which you have chosen
to practise, with the knowledge, skills and experience to practise
practice lawfully, safely and effectively.
(Adapted from HCPC 2013, p4)

Service Within the context of this document, the term ‘service’ usually refers to
the occupational therapy that you provide as an individual or group,
rather than referring to the occupational therapy department or facility.

Supervision ‘A professional relationship and activity which ensures good standards

of practice and encourages development.’
(COT 2015, p1)

Sustain/ ‘Sustainable health care combines three key factors: quality patient
care, fiscally responsible budgeting and minimizing environmental
Sustainable impact.’
(Jameton and McGuire 2002)

Way of A mental attitude or approach that predetermines your interpretation

of information and situations, your response to them and your
thinking behaviour or conduct.

Welfare ‘The availability of resources and presence of conditions required for

reasonably comfortable, healthy and secure living.’
(National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health
2016, p7)

50 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

Section 8
Legislation, policies and
standards – key topics
You are expected to be familiar with and comply with any current legislation and policies, best
practice standards, and employers’ policies and procedures that are relevant to your scope, level
and location of practice. This document does not identify every piece of relevant legislation,
recognising that many differ across the four UK nations. Areas of legislation and guidance that are
relevant to this document include:

Bullying Health and safety/safe working practice

Candour Health care
Clinical governance Human rights
Confidentiality – data protection and Keeping records
sharing, access to records/freedom of
Mental health and mental capacity
information
Negligence (Bolam test)
Consent
Reporting and disclosure
Consent for a child under 16 years (Gillick
competence) Risk

Discrimination Safeguarding vulnerable people

Duty of care Sexual offending

Equality Social care

Section 8 Legislation, policies and standards – key topics 51

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56 Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics

Professional standards for occupational
therapy practice, conduct and ethics
These Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics are
produced by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) in consultation and
collaboration with its members. They describe the essential practice, behaviours and
values that RCOT members have a responsibility to abide by at all times. Maintaining
these standards will help occupational therapists to be safe, effective and ethical
practitioners, providing a high-quality, evidence-informed and inclusive service. They
may be taken as appropriate standards of reasonable care, as defined by the
professional body, which may be referred to by the Health and Care Professions
Council (HCPC), the regulatory body for occupational therapists.

Reviewed every five years, this publication provides a useful reference point for
members of the public, employing organisations and others who need to be aware of
the expectations of the professional body.

rcot.co.uk
© 2021 Royal College of Occupational Therapists. A registered charity in England and Wales (No. 275119)
and in Scotland (No. SCO39573) and a company registered in England (No. 1347374)