The Ethical Framework is enforced through the Professional Conduct Procedure and associated procedures of Play Therapy Canada (PTC).  It is described below under the following headings:

Introduction

Members are required to inform any carer and the client, if appropriate, who indicates that they have a complaint or grievance about the existence of this procedure and any other applicable complaints or disciplinary procedures. If requested to do so, practitioners should inform their clients and carers about how they may obtain further information concerning these procedures. Further information may be obtained by contacting PTC directly.

The first aim of the Professional Conduct Procedure is to afford protection to the public. The second is to protect the name of PTC and the professions of play, creative arts and filial therapies as conducted by both individual and organisational members in Ireland.

A complaint can be brought by either:

a) a member of the public seeking or using a service provided by a member of PTC or

b) a member against another member

Complaints should made in writing addressed to:

The Chief Executive - Play Therapy Ireland Ltd

The Cottage, Sandy Lane, Banna, Ardfert, Kerry, Ireland

PTC cannot deal with complaints against individuals or organisations who were not members of PTC at the time of the alleged breach of professional conduct.

A complaint must be lodged within three years of the alleged breach.

All records, save for details of the formal complaint, the formal response, the decision of the Professional Conduct Panel, Appeal decision and sanction which are kept for five years, will be kept for a period of two years only.

The administration of the Professional Conduct Procedure will follow protocols laid down from time to time by PTC. These will be administered by the Chief Executive of PTC.

PTC is not responsible for travel or any other expenses incurred either by the Complainant or the Member Complained Against (or any support person/representative) in connection with any stage of the complaint. The Society cannot order one party to a complaint to pay another party's costs.

PTC may decide to hear a complaint against a member when another organisation is involved in a similar process arising out of the same substantive matters.

Before making the complaint, the Complainant is expected to attempt to resolve the issue with the individual or organisational Member Complained Against. The Complainant must demonstrate that all informal channels or, in the case of organisational members, all internal processes and procedures have been exhausted. If local resolution is impossible or inappropriate, an explanation as to why this is the case will be required.

PTC reserves the right to distribute any findings upheld against a member where it considers it right and just to do so in all circumstances.

This Professional Conduct Procedure  will apply to all complaints received by PTC after 1st February 2006.