Ethics and Professional development
Professional Code of Ethics
The objective of the NIP is to ensure psychologists work in accordance with high professional standards. Therefore the NIP has stipulated the
NIP Professional Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets out clear ethical principles, values and standards to guide and support psychologists' decisions in difficult and challenging situations that they may face. Psychologists registered with the NIP or members of the NIP are obliged to abide by the principles of this professional conduct.
The Code demands that a psychologist can only execute those professional practices that lie within their professional capability be it obtained through training or work experience. In the Netherlands there are no prohibited professional practices within psychology. The Dutch law does not regulate who is allowed to perform particular practices. What is standardised and regulated is the proof of professional capability of psychologists. This is done through a system of
Registrations. The idea is that whoever is professionally capable will have the competence to professionally practice. Psychologists need to be able to present this proof of professional capability at any time.
Code of Ethics for Psychologists 2007 (pdf)
NIP's Perspective
The NIP claims that independent diagnosis and treatment within the individual healthcare requires at least the capability-level of a Health Care Psychologist (gz-psycholoog BIG) or a NIP-registered Child- and Youth Psychologist (Kinder en Jeugdpsycholoog NIP).
Apart from the above mentioned capabilities of individual psychologists, governmental institutions, health insurance companies and the social services department that carry out health and social care assessments can demand additional requirements to the competences of psychologists.
The Code is developed to safeguard the welfare of consumers of psychological services and the integrity of the profession. The NIP disciplinary committee may investigate breaches of these standards, and those found guilty of breaches may be censured or excluded from membership of the Society.