ACEP Code of Conduct
The ACEP Code of Conduct serves as a unique and powerful endorsement of your integrity and as a code of ethics for consultation & engagement professionals. Observed by every ACEP member, it defines the characteristics we share as practitioners serious about building a responsible profession.
By signing up to the code when you join ACEP, you show your commitment to working in the public interest – you accept your professional duty. It’s the very foundation of our profession, built upon every day by the competence, integrity and diversity of our members.
We’re not here to referee between ACEP members and the general public but do accept the reporting of breaches by organisations who might have had delivery work (such as a contract) undertaken by one of our members, such as an expert or agency.
Dealing with misconduct
What is the ACEP Code of Conduct?
The code comprises three key principles:
Uphold high standards
Working together to address issues in your profession and in wider society, you want everyone to have access to honest decision making. You share what you know, uphold standards and conduct yourself professionally and fairly at all times.
PUBLIC INTEREST
You shall:
- have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment;
- have due regard for the legitimate rights of stakeholders;
- conduct your professional activities without discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability, or of any other condition or requirement;
- promote equal access to the benefits of democracy and seek to promote the inclusion of all sectors in society wherever opportunities arise.
Professional integrity
You have integrity and show competence, but you know you don’t know everything, that’s why you continuously learn and grow and never take on tasks that you don’t have the skills and resources to complete.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY
You shall:
- only undertake to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence;
- NOT claim any level of competence that you do not possess;
- develop your professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis, maintaining awareness of developments, procedures, and standards that are relevant to your field;
- ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding of legislation and that you comply with such legislation, in carrying out your professional responsibilities;
- respect and value alternative viewpoints and seek, accept and offer honest criticisms of work;
- avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious or negligent action or inaction;
- reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement.
Advance the profession
As a ACEP member, you’re an ambassador for the industry and use your voice to help promote it positively to the world. You support your colleagues and other members in their growth both personally and professionally.
DUTY TO THE PROFESSION
You shall:
- accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not take any action which could bring the profession into disrepute;
- seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement;
- uphold the reputation and good standing of ACEP;
- act with integrity and respect in your professional relationships with all members of ACEP and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity;
- encourage and support fellow members in their professional development.