General Osteopathic Council

Code of conduct

It is essential that the General Osteopathic Council commands the confidence of the public, the profession and other stakeholders.  To this end, the Council, as its governing body, must adopt and comply with appropriate standards of conduct.

Council members, and anyone else acting on behalf of the GOsC who is not a member of staff, are expected to sign and observe a Code of Conduct, and any procedures for its enforcement. Its purpose is to provide them with guidance on carrying out the GOsC’s statutory functions in line with currently accepted standards of public service. 

Who does the Code of Conduct apply to?

The Code of Conduct applies to:

  • members of the Council;
  • members of committees, both statutory and non-statutory;
  • members of working groups;
  • legal advisors and legal/medical assessors involved in Fitness to Practise procedures;
  • visitors conducting reviews of training courses for accreditation purposes;
  • assessors undertaking work as part of registration procedures;
  • any other individuals who may from time to time act on behalf of the GOsC in a non-executive capacity.

General conduct guidelines

Members and other non-executive persons acting on behalf of the GOsC will comply with the following general guidelines at all times:

  • act in good faith;
  • act in accordance with the GOsC’s statutory objective, as individuals and collectively;
  • act in accordance with the seven principles of public life (set out below);
  • treat others equally, fairly and with respect.

The seven principles of public life

The seven principles of public life, as set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (www.public-standards.gov.uk/) are:

  • Selflessness: holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest.  They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefit for themselves, their family, or their friends;
  • Integrity: holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties;
  • Objectivity: holders of public office should be objective in carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for reward and benefits;
  • Accountability: holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
  • Openness: holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take.  They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest demands;
  • Honesty: holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take any steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest and;
  • Leadership: holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.