CODE OF ETHICS, PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
& STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

MISSION STATEMENT:
All Financial Counsellors will maintain a commitment to community participation, and community accountability. They will affirm the rights, skills and dignity of clients through an empowering approach to casework, which prioritizes positive outcomes for clients. They will aim to reduce powerlessness and alienation of all low income and vulnerable clients. They will aim to increase each client's self-reliance, self-determination, and access to available resources, and entry into existing community structures. They will ensure that their primary obligation is to the client, whose choices take precedence over the workers personal views, values, interests and aims.

THE 'CODE'
The Code of Ethics, Professional Conduct & Standards of Practice, provides a set of standards for the financial counselling profession to enable workers to distinguish what is legitimate and/or acceptable behaviour. This Code identifies standards of practice, which reflect the value base of the profession. It defines basic principles for workers to make ethical decisions. This then forms a statement for those outside the profession to evaluate and understand the financial counselling service being offered.

1. THE ROLE OF THE FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR

Financial Counsellors are required to abide by the strict Code of Ethics, Professional Conduct and Professional Standards as set out in this document.

Financial Counsellors work involves direct casework, group or class advocacy, community development, education, social action and, law and policy reform. The service provided by Financial Counsellors is free of charge, and without any conflict of interest. The work undertaken by Financial Counsellors particularly assists low income and vulnerable consumers.

Financial Counsellors work with individuals, families or groups of consumers who are experiencing disadvantage and/or dispute in regard to their financial situations. They provide para-legal information and advocacy on an extensive range of issues related to the inability to pay household bills, loans, credit cards, mortgages, rent, fines, taxation and child support.

Financial Counsellors assist clients to access income and concessional entitlements as well as other forms of available assistance. They provide information and education on many topics relating to these issues, as well as assisting clients on matters including bankruptcy and social security. Financial Counsellors refer clients to other services as appropriate, to encourage a holistic approach to the economic and social situation of the client.

Financial Counsellors provide information, options, support and advocacy to assist clients improve their financial circumstances. The aim is to assist and support the client to increase their skills and confidence to deal with their financial affairs in the future. An integral component of the role is to raise the client's awareness of their position and rights within the structural framework of today's financial marketplace.

The accredited qualification for Financial Counsellors in Victoria is the 'Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling)'. This Diploma is predicated on the philosophy and practice of Community Development. The principles of Community Development are grounded on a social justice framework which contribute to both an empowering individual approach to financial counselling together with priority on policy and law reform, and social action with the aim to improve the lives of all clients.

The demands of financial counselling practice necessitate the provision of continual opportunities for professional development. Regular accredited training and skill development ensures that Financial Counsellors stay abreast of ongoing legislative changes and developments in market place practice.

The practice of financial counselling is often undertaken in under-resourced and isolated environments. This fact in tandem with the often complicated and multi-faceted and ever changing nature of financial counselling casework has lead to widely acknowledged successes in the networking of Victorian Financial Counsellors. The priority placed on regular opportunities for networking and case consultation enhances peer support, worker expertise and the ability of Financial Counsellors to contribute casework experience to policy reform activities and research.

2. PRINCIPLES AND ETHICS

2.1 Financial Counsellors shall act in a legal, ethical and moral manner, maintaining the integrity of this "Code" and avoiding actions that could cause harm to others or bring the profession into disrepute.

2.2 Financial Counsellors who violate this "Code" will be subject to disciplinary action that can result in a fine, suspension or revocation of membership of the Association, in accordance with the Association's "Grievance Procedures" and Rules.

2.3 Where any Financial Counsellor has reason to question the ethical propriety of an action they should consult with the Association's President before that action is taken.

2.4 Financial Counsellors must observe, and discuss with their clients, the limitations of their services so as to facilitate honest and open communication and realistic expectations.

2.5 Financial Counsellors will encourage colleagues to observe proper standards such as will protect client's interests and maintain the good reputation of the Association and its members. An observed defection from acceptable standards should be addressed and if the problem is not resolved then it may be referred to the Association's President.

 

3. RESPONSIBILITIES TO CLIENTS AND CLIENT GROUPS

The Financial Counsellors' obligations arise from their professional relationship with the client - to safeguard the dignity of the client, to maintain the integrity of the practitioner and to recognise the values and worth of all persons involved in the practice of financial counselling.

3.1 Professional Conduct

The Financial Counsellor -

(a) Shall act only in the best interest of the client.

(b) Shall act only on behalf of the client.

(c) Shall not complete any action on behalf of a client without the Authority of the client.

(d) Shall complete a written intake process on all relevant aspects of the client's financial, legal and social situation. This information forms a standard basis for the financial counsellor before they offer any information, options and/or consequences of action the client may request the worker to undertake on their behalf.

(e) Shall explain to a client the client's financial, legal and social situation and all relevant options open to the client in dealing with their situation.

(f) Shall carry out work on behalf of a client as soon as is reasonably possible, or if applicable, as per worker's official funding guidelines requrirements.

(g) Shall maintain clear and objective case notes as a record of information given to the worker and the actions subsequently undertaken on behalf of the client.

 

3.2 Confidentiality

The Financial Counsellor shall regard all information concerning clients disclosed in the course of practice as confidential, except where

(a) with the client's permission referrals are to be made and other professional consultation sought,

(b) the Financial Counselling Service is under a legal obligation to disclose information, ie. Freedom of Information (FOI)

(c) the information consists solely of data provided under a statistical data collection scheme authorised by the Association, and does not identify the client,

(d) the Financial Counsellor determines that the client is a danger to him/herself or other members of the community, and feels obliged to disclose this behaviour as a duty of care.

3.3 Accountability

In exercising certain powers and using information the Financial Counsellor has an accountability to both the employing agency and to clients. However, special accountability to clients in preserving their dignity and autonomy is acknowledged.

 

3.4 Respect, Courtesy and Consideration

The Financial Counsellor has an obligation to:-

(a) treat clients with respect, to promote maximum self-worth and to safeguard and promote the capacity for free choice by the client.

(b) address the client by his/her proper name or the name of his/her choice.

(c) provide a service of the highest standard, regardless of client's social status, gender, race, religion or political belief.

(d) inform clients at the beginning of any counselling relationship regarding the limits to confidentiality, and to obtain informed consent of a client before they release any information.

(e) safeguard the maintenance, storage and disposal of all clients' records so that unauthorised persons shall not have access to them.

(f) refer to other suitably qualified persons or organisations those clients unable to be assisted by the member.

(g) provide unbiased, objective opinions based on their skills, knowledge and experience and on the substantial facts.

(h) Cease to act on behalf of all clients involved if a conflict of interest arises between two or more clients, unless each of them agree in writing as to which person the member may continue to act on behalf of.

(i) Not act on behalf of a client for whom another person is providing financial counselling in relation to the same matter.

(j) Not directly or indirectly charge a client for their services.

(k) Cease to act for a client when;

i) it is reasonably clear that the client no longer wishes the Financial Counsellor to act on their behalf,
ii) all work requested by the client has been completed.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES TO COLLEAGUES

As a professional person the Financial Counsellor is expected to:

4.1 Respect the practitioner skills and conceptual abilities of colleagues

4.2 Provide loyalty and support to colleagues where this does not contradict the principles of this code of ethics

4.3 Share knowledge, skills and insights with colleagues

4.4 Bring to the attention of the colleague unprofessional or unethical conduct, and if unresolved, to refer the matter to the Association.

4.5 Accept that differences of view and practice are part of the profession.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYING ORGANISATIONS

The Financial Counsellor is expected to have clarified prior to employment that agency policies and practices are likely to allow the application of the principles contained in this code of ethics.

As an employee of an organisation the Financial Counsellor is expected to:

5.1 Carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined as terms of employment

5.2 Assist in promoting the stated aims of the employing organisation in terms of policy, procedure and practice

5.3 Distinguish in public statement or behaviour whether acting as an authorised spokesperson of the employer or in a private capacity, or on behalf of the Association.

5.4 Use professionally approved channels to express criticism of employment practices, which are detrimental to the profession.

5.5 Be accountable to the employing organisation for the full discharge of duties - except where such contradicts this code of ethics.

5.6 Keep records sufficient to enable, if necessary, another Financial Counsellor to continue to act for the client in their absence.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROFESSION

As a member of a professional occupation, and the Association, a Financial Counsellor is expected to:

6.1 Maintain proper standards of practice, and uphold the principles and ethics of the code at all times.

6.2 Maintain the standards of knowledge, skill and learning appropriate to professional development requirements of the Association, under its "Membership Criteria".

6.3 Promote understanding of the role and skills of professional financial counselling.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROFESSION

The financial counselling profession through the Association will contribute to the knowledge, attitudes and skills of practitioners and positively promote social and financial well-being in the community.

By the application of sanctions, the Association will move to protect individuals and communities against incompetent and unethical practices.