Hospital Play Specialists who are registered with the Hospital Play Staff Education Trust and members of the National Association of Hospital Play Staff shall act, at all times, in such a manner as to justify public trust and confidence.

Registrants and members will maintain their professional registration, uphold and enhance the good standing and reputation of the profession. They will seek to serve the interests of society, but especially safeguard the interests of individual children and their families.

In the exercising of professional accountability, the hospital play specialist shall:

1. Uphold public trust and confidence in the profession by maintaining appropriate personal and professional standards.

2. At all times safeguard the well-being and interests of children, young people and their families having regard to the environment of care and its physical, psychological and social effects on the aforesaid.

3. Ensure that no act or omission is detrimental to the condition or the safety of children and young people in their care.

4. Take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence in line with registration, re-registration, scope of practice and relevant current legislation.

5. Respect confidential information obtained in the course of professional practice, refraining from disclosure of such information except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary in the public interest.

6. Make known to the appropriate person any conscientious objection that is relevant to the scope of professional practice.

7. Have an obligation to engage only in those areas in which they are qualified and not to represent themselves otherwise, but to make appropriate referrals with due regard for the special competencies of members of other professions working with the family.

8. Recognise the possibility that personal problems, needs and conflicts may perhaps compromise their professional effectiveness and judgement and shall use integrity to assess and amend any situations which may otherwise result in disharmony, inadequate performance or the using of children, young people and families to meet personal needs.

9. Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with colleagues and other professional personnel, recognising and respecting their particular contributions.

10. Refuse to accept any offers of gifts, favours or hospitality which might be interpreted as seeking to exert undue influence or preferential consideration.

11. At all times, maintain appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships with the child, young person and family, ensuring that all aspects of the relationship focus exclusively upon their needs.

12. Avoid any abuse of the privileged relationship which exists with children, young people and their parents/carers.

13. Be personally accountable for their own practice. This means being answerable for any actions and omissions, regardless of advice or directions from another professional.

14. Recognise and respect the role of patients and their families as partners in their care and the contribution they can make to it. This involves identifying their preferences regarding care and respecting these within the limits of professional practice, existing legislation, resources and the goals of the therapeutic relationship.

15. Be personally accountable for ensuring that the interests and dignity of children and young people are promoted and protected irrespective of gender, age, race, ability, sexuality, economic status, lifestyle, culture and religious or political beliefs.

16. Not engage in illegal conduct nor act with impropriety which may compromise or impede the fulfilment of professional responsibilities.