Ethics Committee Chair (Ethics Officer)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy exists to promote the profession of psychotherapy and the highest standards of its practice in the United Kingdom.

UKCP is seeking a Lay Chair for our Ethics Committee. We are seeking individuals who are not UKCP members or employees and who are not from a health or psychological profession.

As part of our aim to improve equality and diversity practice within the profession, we are seeking to increase the diversity of our committee and board members. We would therefore welcome applications from under-represented and disadvantaged groups including people from Black and minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

To apply: please email your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to by post to:

Kyriana Delisle

UKCP

Edward House, 2nd Floor

2 Wakley Street

London EC1V 7LT

Deadline for applications is:Sunday 5February 2017

About the Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee (EC) meets at leastfourtimes per year normally with face-to-face meetings (usually on Fridays at the UKCP office) and is a lively and collegial committee. The committee has delegated authority from the Board of Trustees to develop and update overarching instruments (e.g.Code of Ethics, Code of Practice, etc), for the UKCP in conjunction with other UKCP regulatory committees. It is also called on to consult and comment on particular ethical developments and policies, as requested by the Board of Trustees. The committee is authorised to make decisions and take actions in pursuit of the promotion, maintenance and development of UKCP's ethical framework and the associated policy, guidance and standards. The group itself is well established and very enthusiastic about ethics and ethical practice.

Ethics Committee membership

  • The composition of the EC is drawn from experienced registrants with expertise in the field who are members in good professional standing and lay members. As far as possible membership of the committee should reflect the diversity of colleges, faculties and modalities that exist within UKCP
  • The term of office of a member of the ethics committee is three years; members may be reappointed no more than once, except in special circumstances.
  • The Chair of the EC is appointed by the Board of Trustees (BoT). The EC Chair does not have a seat on the BoT but keeps the Board updated via the UKCP Chief Executive’s report, making recommendations to the BoT regarding matters within the committee's remit.

Tasks of the EC are shared out between members, who are welcome to become involved in projects; for example authorship, research and event organisation. Committee members may also serve as nominated spokespeople and presenters at conferences and UKCP members’ days as deemed appropriate for the occasion.

Remit and Functions of the Ethics Committee

  • To promote ethical practice through appropriate means, such as conferences, seminars, workshops and publications (both published and online).
  • To respond to requests for an opinion from UKCP boards, committees, colleges, faculties, organisational and individual members on current best practice in relation to ethics and ethical considerations including probity and legislation. These responses will not include legal advice.
  • To oversee, review and maintain the UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct and the associated policy, guidance and standards. This will be in relation to information from within the psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counselling profession, and with reference to other relevant professional areas and the broader field of mental health and healthcare, including the law.
  • To consult and comment on particular ethical developments and policies, as requested by the Board of Trustees.
  • To independently initiate and offer comment on (for consideration by the Board of Trustees) ethical issues implicit in topical matters currently under public consideration.
  • To offer thoughts and comment (but not legal advice or guidance) on ethical queries received from UKCP members (individual, organisational or from colleges / faculties).
  • To disseminate lessons-learned and common themes arising from ethical queries.
  • To keep the Chief Executive of UKCP updated with the current and future work and plans of the committee.
  • To annually agree and submit the EC Activity Plan and Budget Request Form to the Finance and Audit Committee, and to regularly monitor the EC budget and progress of the EC Activity Plan.
  • To communicate effectively with UKCP’s members (individual and organisational), colleges and faculties in relation to ethical developments, practice and education via conferences, seminars, workshops and publications (both published and online).
  • To undertake such consultations, research and projects as are congruent with the effective maintenance and development of the UKCP’s ethical framework.
  • To liaise with the UKCP Professional Conduct Committee (the body that delivers the Complaints and Conduct Process) and make effective use of the information received in its work to maintain and develop the UKCP Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct and the UKCP’s broader ethical framework.
  • To contribute to the effective integration of ethics into the training and Continual Professional Development (CPD) systems supported within the UKCP structures.

Ethics Chair Person Specification

In your written application, please give evidence of examples of proven experience against each of the selection criteria listed in Part One of the person specification. These responses will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with the other criteria listed in Part Twoand Part Three.

Part One

Knowledge and Experience

  • A background in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
  • as a professional ethicist, who has had formal training in ethical thinking and decision-making
  • as a legal professional (although not necessarily as a lawyer)
  • as a faith representative who offers a perspective on the impact of religious belief on ethical decision-making
  • as a user of psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic counselling
  • as a clinician
  • with a philosophical background, or applied philosophy in practice
  • with a psychology background
  • with experience of disability therapy
  • Appreciation of and interest in key ethical theories and approachesis essential; specific knowledge and understanding of ethical principles and how they apply to psychotherapy is highly desirable although not essential.
  • Experience of effectively chairing and managing committees is essential.
  • Understands the role of the Committee and has a track record of accepting and supporting the views of others / the majority.
  • Experience of dealing with documents, processes and procedures is essential.
  • Experience of applying ethical principles to specific contexts and situations is desirable.
  • Experience of working collaboratively and across disciplines in a relevant setting is essential; direct experience of working in a relevant ethics committee role is desirable.
  • Familiarity with theories of moral philosophy is desirable.
  • Experience of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

Part Two

Skills and Abilities

  • Able to think critically and take a thoughtful approach to complex ethical matters.
  • High analytical capacity, with the ability to hold in mind and attend to multiple positions in relation to complex ethical matterswithin the context of the profession and UKCP.
  • Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to communicate complex information simply and succinctly.
  • Proven team-working skills; able to support others, work with UKCP staff and other committeesat all levels and have regard and respect for the views of others.
  • Good IT skills and able to use IT-based communication for committee business.

Part Three

Personal Style and Behaviours

  • Open to, and respectful of, the views of others.
  • Has integrity and takes responsibility for own actions.
  • Sound judgement.
  • Comfortable making challenging and complex decisions in the context of strong and/or controversial opinions and feelings.
  • Strong personal commitment to the principles and promotion of equality and diversity.

UKCP Ethics Committee – Lay Chair Role Description 20161