HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics: What Every Registrant Must Demonstrate
Every professional on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register agrees to meet the same ten standards of conduct, performance and ethics. Whether you are a paramedic, physiotherapist or practitioner psychologist, these HCPC standards set the baseline for how you treat service users, work with colleagues and behave as a professional. They are also the standards the HCPC uses when deciding whether a concern about your practice should be investigated. This guide sets out all ten standards, explains what each one asks of you, shows how they are used in fitness to practise cases and explains how to demonstrate that you meet them.
What Are the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics?
The HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics are the ten core standards every HCPC registrant must meet. They describe how registrants should behave and practise, whatever their profession or setting.
They sit alongside the profession-specific standards of proficiency, which cover what you must know and be able to do. You can read the full text on the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics page. For HCPC guidance beyond these ten standards, such as CPD and proficiency, see our HCPC registration guidance post.
The Ten HCPC Standards at a Glance
The ten HCPC standards fall into three broad groups: how you treat service users, how you practise safely and how you behave as a professional.
| Group | HCPC Standards |
|---|---|
| Service users | 1. Promote and protect the interests of service users and carers; 2. Communicate appropriately and effectively; 5. Respect confidentiality |
| Safe practice | 3. Work within the limits of your knowledge and skills; 4. Delegate appropriately; 6. Manage risk; 7. Report concerns about safety |
| Professional behaviour | 8. Be open when things go wrong; 9. Be honest and trustworthy; 10. Keep records of your work |
Each standard is supported by more detailed expectations in the full document.
The Standards Most Often Engaged in Concerns
Some HCPC standards come up more often than others when concerns are raised. The HCPC threshold policy lists dishonesty, improper relationships with a service user and serious or reckless errors among the concerns that go straight to the Investigating Committee.
Honesty and Trustworthiness (Standard 9)
Dishonesty is treated as a serious concern because it undermines trust in the registrant and the profession. Falsified records, misleading statements and failing to declare relevant information can all engage this standard.
Openness When Things Go Wrong (Standard 8)
The HCPC expects registrants to be open with service users when things go wrong.
Confidentiality and Records (Standards 5 and 10)
Sharing information inappropriately and keeping poor records are common sources of concern. The HCPC publishes separate guidance on confidentiality and on record keeping to help registrants meet these standards.
Working Within Your Limits (Standard 3)
Standard 3 asks registrants to work within the limits of their knowledge and skills. Concerns can arise when a professional takes on tasks outside their training or scope of practice, or fails to refer a service user to a colleague with the right expertise. The HCPC publishes guidance on scope of practice to help registrants judge where those limits lie. If your role is changing, review your training and supervision arrangements before taking on new responsibilities, and record how you decided the work was within your competence.
How to Demonstrate the HCPC Standards
Demonstrating the HCPC standards means showing, with evidence, that you understand and apply them. This matters both day to day and if a concern is raised.
- Identify the standard: find the exact standard, or standards, your situation engages.
- Reflect in writing: explain what happened, its impact on service users and what you have learned.
- Complete targeted learning: choose CPD that matches the standard, such as candour, confidentiality or record keeping.
- Show change in practice: keep evidence of new routines, supervision or audits.
- Organise your evidence: present it clearly, as described in our guide to dealing with an HCPC investigation.
If a case reaches a hearing, our guide to HCPC sanctions explained sets out the possible outcomes.
Conclusion
The HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics are the foundation of every registrant's practice. All ten apply to you, whatever your profession, and they are the benchmark the HCPC uses when it considers a concern. Know them well, pay particular attention to honesty, openness, confidentiality and records, and keep evidence of how you meet them. If a concern has been raised, start targeted learning early with our HCPC remediation courses, or use the bulk buy offer if you need several courses.
Key Takeaways
- Which course should I take for an HCPC professionalism or conduct concern? Our Professionalism course is written for this, for HCPC registrants, and follows the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics; pair it with a written reflection that names the standard engaged.
- Will a course help my HCPC investigation? A course is evidence of insight and remediation, which the HCPC case examiners or Investigating Committee look for — strongest with a written reflection and changes in your practice. No course can guarantee an outcome.
- When should I send the certificate and reflection to the HCPC? With your written response, before the HCPC case examiners or Investigating Committee decide — or before an HCPC final hearing or a review if the case has gone further.
- Can I finish the course before my deadline, and is it CPD accredited? Yes — it is online and self-paced with a certificate on completion, and CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service, counting towards your HCPC CPD record.
Frequently Asked Questions
01How many HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics are there?
There are ten HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics. They cover service users' interests, communication, working within your limits, delegation, confidentiality, managing risk, reporting safety concerns, openness, honesty and record keeping. The current version took effect on 1 September 2024.
02Who must follow the HCPC standards?
Every professional registered with the HCPC must follow the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics. This applies across all 15 regulated professions, including paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists and practitioner psychologists, whatever their role or setting.
03What happens if I breach the HCPC standards?
A possible breach can lead to a fitness to practise concern. The HCPC's threshold test asks whether a concern suggests fitness to practise may be impaired, including whether there could be a breach of its standards. Serious matters such as dishonesty go straight to the Investigating Committee.
04What is the difference between HCPC standards of conduct and proficiency?
The standards of conduct, performance and ethics are ten standards shared by all registrants and cover behaviour and ethics. The standards of proficiency are profession-specific and set what registrants must know and be able to do. The latest proficiency revisions took effect on 1 September 2023.
05How do I show I meet the HCPC standards?
Link your reflection to the specific standard involved, complete targeted learning and keep evidence of how your practice has changed, such as audits or supervision notes. Clear, dated evidence carries the most weight if the HCPC considers a concern about your practice.
This guide is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a specialist regulatory solicitor or your medical defence organisation.
The CPD courses linked from this guide, Ethics and Ethical Standards for HCPC Regulated Health & Care Professionals and Duty of Candour in Healthcare Practice, are by Probity & Ethics, written by Dr Shehzad Iqbal, CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service (provider no. 13197) and offered since 2020.
