Code of Professional Conduct

What every member is bound to.

The Code sets the binding ethical and professional obligations of every HICS member. It is the instrument a complaint is decided against, and the clearest single answer to the question a client, an employer or a referring professional actually asks: what may this counsellor do, and what may they never do?

Read the full Code

Who the Code answers to

It is written to be read by four people.

The member

The duties I have agreed to be bound by, and the ones I can be held to account for.

The client

What the person helping me may do, what they may never do, and where they must stop.

The employer

What a role built on a HICS designation can and cannot contain.

The complainant

The standard a member fell short of, and where the complaint goes.

The core

Six principles underpin every clause.

Where a situation is not expressly covered by a clause, members must act in a manner consistent with these principles.

  1. 2.1

    Respect for dignity and autonomy

    Members must treat every person with kindness, empathy, and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, faith, culture, gender, sexual orientation, identity, disability, language, socio-economic status, or worldview. Members must respect each client as the expert in their own life, uphold the client’s right to make their own informed decisions, and may not impose their own values, beliefs, or preferences on a client.

  2. 2.2

    Beneficence and non-maleficence

    Members must act in the best interests of the client and must take all reasonable steps to avoid causing harm. Where a member’s own competence, wellbeing, or objectivity could place a client at risk, the member must take responsible steps - including consultation, supervision, or referral - to protect the client.

  3. 2.3

    Integrity and honesty

    Members must be truthful and transparent in all professional dealings - with clients, colleagues, the public, and HICS. Members may not deceive, mislead, or misrepresent their qualifications, designation, competence, or status.

  4. 2.4

    Justice and non-discrimination

    Members must practise fairly and may not unfairly discriminate against any person. Members must remain aware of the social, cultural, economic, and systemic contexts that shape a client’s experience and access to support, in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000.

  5. 2.5

    Professional responsibility and accountability

    Members must take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, acknowledge and seek to repair any harm caused, remain open to feedback, and hold themselves answerable to this Code, to their supervisor, and to HICS.

  6. 2.6

    Competence and lifelong learning

    Members must practise only within the limits of their training and competence and must commit to ongoing learning, reflection, supervision, and continuing professional development throughout their careers.

What no member may do

The absolute limitations.

These apply to every member, at every designation, without exception. In short, a member does not diagnose, provide psychotherapy, prescribe or advise on medication, administer psychometric tests, use a protected title, or practise without supervision.

These are clause 6.3 of the Code, and a breach of any of them is a serious breach. The limitations are published in plain terms on the limitations page.

The duties that override confidentiality

Where a member must act, and cannot be told not to.

The obligations in section 8 are independent of confidentiality and cannot be waived by the client or the member. A member may not let an employer’s instruction or fear of losing a client prevent them from meeting any of these obligations.

The whole Code

Fifteen sections. Every one links to the full text.

  1. 01Preamble and PurposeWhat the Code is, who it binds, and how it sits alongside the other governing documents.
  2. 02Core Ethical PrinciplesThe six principles that underpin every clause, and the standard where no clause covers the situation.
  3. 03Informed ConsentConsent as an ongoing conversation, what must be explained, capacity, and the enhanced duty for minors.
  4. 04Confidentiality, Privacy and RecordsThe duty of confidence, POPIA obligations, secure records, the five-year retention period, and the limits of confidentiality.
  5. 05Professional Boundaries and Dual RelationshipsClear boundaries, the absolute prohibition on sexual contact, the 24-month post-termination rule, and dual relationships.
  6. 06Areas of Competence and Limits of PracticePractising within competence, the counselling/psychotherapy line, the affirmative duty to refer, and the nine absolute limitations.
  7. 07Supervision and Continuing CompetenceSupervision as a non-negotiable condition of practice, the minimum hours, CPD at a flat 22 points, and the supervisor’s own duties.
  8. 08Mandatory Reporting and Duty to ProtectThe duties that override confidentiality: child protection, sexual offences, domestic violence, imminent risk, and the Mental Health Care Act.
  9. 09Honest RepresentationRepresenting designation and competence honestly, the mandatory disclaimer, and the titles a member may never use.
  10. 10Conduct Toward Colleagues and HICSRespect for colleagues, the duty not to ignore unethical conduct, protection for good-faith reporters, and cooperation with HICS.
  11. 11Self-Care and Fitness to PractiseThe professional obligation to maintain wellbeing, and not to practise while materially impaired.
  12. 12Conflicts of Interest and Financial ConductManaging conflicts of interest, fair and transparent fees, referral integrity, and the rules on gifts.
  13. 13Research, Technology and Online PracticeOnline counselling held to the same standard as in-person work, digital privacy, the responsible use of AI tools, and research ethics.
  14. 14Breaches and AccountabilityHow a breach is dealt with, the range of consequences, and the conduct treated as a serious breach.
  15. 15Review and Version ControlWho owns the Code, how often it is reviewed, and how members are bound to the current version.

When the standard is not met

A breach has consequences.

A breach of the Code may lead to disciplinary action, and how serious that action is depends on the gravity of the breach, the harm caused, the member’s responsibilities, and any pattern of conduct. The response ranges from a formal warning, through conditions on practice and suspension, to downgrade or revocation of the designation and termination of membership.

The Code defines the standards. A separate Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure defines the process: how a complaint is received, investigated and decided; what rights the member has; and how a decision is appealed.

How a concern is raised

The Oath and the Code

The Code is the Oath made enforceable.

Every member affirms the thirteen-point Practitioner’s Oath on admission. Where the Oath states the spirit of ethical practice, the Code states the concrete duties - so each commitment in the Oath maps to the clause that gives it force.

The Practitioner’s OathThe full Code

HICS is a voluntary, non-statutory membership body. Membership is not a legal requirement to practise, confers no statutory authority, and is not equivalent to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Humanitas Independent Counselling Society membership designation. Not a statutory registration.