Speak Out August 2020 low res

2020 Code of Ethics FAQs

When does the 2020 Code take effect? The 2020 Code of Ethics will launch on Friday October 23rd however we are giving members advanced access so you can begin to familiarise yourself with the content before the launch. The 2010 Code of Ethics is current until 23rd October, after that date the 2020 Code of Ethics supersedes it and members are obliged to comply with the new version. How will this change the complaints process? The expectations and foundations of how to make ethically appropriate decisions

As we prepare for the formal launch of the 2020 Code of Ethics at the end of October we thought we would share some of the most commonly asked questions about the 2020 Code. If you have any other questions about this please feel free to email ethics@speechpathologyaustralia. org.au Why do we have a revised Code of Ethics? Speech Pathology Australia conducts a major review of the Code of Ethics at least once every 10 years. The last major review was in 2010 and the world has changed substantially since then! A few key examples are: models of service delivery have evolved along with funding programs to access speech pathology; consumer directed care has altered how clients engage with speech pathologists; smart phones and social media use have both skyrocketed since 2010, and this has changed both how speech pathologists interact with clients and each other. Additionally, how members access information relevant to their practice has changed significantly, the majority of members log into SPAs website on mobile devices, rather than desktop computers. How has it been updated? You can read about the process under the ‘Advance Notice’ article in this volume of Speak Out. The content of the Code of Ethics has been refreshed and expanded where needed to reflect current and emerging practice, but the major change will be how you interact with the Code of Ethics. The 2020 Code of Ethics has been designed to be interactive, with links to frequently asked questions, definitions, and supporting documents, external websites or other mediums, such as webisodes. We will update these supporting documents as needed, to make sure you have the information you need to make ethical choices in your daily practice.

Ethics

will not fundamentally change but the 2020 Code of Ethics is intended to reflect and support the everyday decisions and challenges that speech pathologists face in 2020 and into the next 10 years. If a formal complaint is received regarding a speech pathologists ethical or professional conduct that occurred on or before October 23rd 2020 the

Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics

2020

Investigation Panel from the Ethics Board will consider

it against the 2010 Code of Ethics. If the conduct occurs after October 23rd 2020 the Investigation Panel will consider the complaint against the 2020 Code of Ethics. Still have questions? Have a look at the 2020 Code of Ethics on the Speech Pathology Australia website and if you think of a resource you’d like to see, or you still have questions, contact the Ethics Team at the email above.

Trish Johnson Professional Support Advisor Nadia Marussinszky Ethics Advisor

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August 2020 | Speak Out