Practising ethically

This chapter delves into the ethical frameworks that underpin professional practice. It examines the role of formal codes of conduct and their importance in ensuring consistency, transparency and accountability in the services offered to individuals and communities. The discussion compares different professional codes, exploring both their shared principles and specific applications. Importantly, the chapter highlights the challenges that arise in multidisciplinary settings, where differing ethical codes may lead to confusion or conflict. Through practical examples, it shows how values-based practice is enhanced when ethical standards are understood as living guides, rather than bureaucratic checklists. The chapter reaffirms the idea that ethics is not peripheral but central to good practice and stresses the need for ongoing reflection and dialogue to manage complex ethical situations with integrity.