This Code of Ethics aims to protect both CPE participants and CPE supervisors/educators/consultants. It stresses the values of integrity, competence, responsibility and confidentiality.

1. The Nature of Supervision:

CPE supervision is training/education of a deeply personal nature, distinct from therapy and managerial supervision. Its goal is to help course participants evaluate and improve their pastoral skills and to develop their theological and spiritual understanding of what they offer in ministry. Bound into this endeavour is the need to maintain ethical standards.

Supervisors/educators/consultants have convinced the NZACPE of their level of self-awareness, integrity and professional competence or, in the case of supervisors/educators/consultants-in-training, of adequate supervisory oversight (see below for ongoing training and supervision.)

2. Responsibility towards Students:

Supervisors/educators/consultants recognise the value and dignity of all course participants, regardless of race, status, sex, age, belief or personal preference.

Supervisors/educators/consultants ensure that satisfaction of their own needs is not dependent on the course participants (e.g. they will not exploit this relationship for personal, financial, professional or sexual gain.)

Supervisors/educators/consultants remember that course participants, being in a process of education and change, are vulnerable.

Supervisors/educators/consultants give adequate time and attention to the preparation of their CPE course programme, to each course participant’s progress within the process and to the supervisor’s reports at its end.

Supervisors/educators/consultants take care in the Screening Interview to assess the potential course participant’s ability to cope with stress and during the course monitor this factor, including its effect on the potential course participant’s partner, family and community.

Supervisors/educators/consultants have a responsibility to address the needs of the course participants as they prepare to return home post-course.

Supervisors/educators/consultants will be in a supervisory relationship of their own, to take care of their own levels of stress, to recognise the limits of their own competence and so know when to refer course participants to others.

Supervisors/educators/consultants will keep up with professional literature and pursue on-going training or, where possible, peer group involvement.

Supervisors/educators/consultants will respect each course participant’s rights to privacy. They will not reveal confidential material about a course participant unless that person gives explicit permission. They will ensure that an agreement on confidentiality is reached at the start of each course.

3. Fees:

The method of payment of fees may be negotiated.

4. Complaints Procedures:

(a) A person believing they have cause for complaint shall approach any member of the NZACPE Executive who shall encourage the parties, with appropriate support, to resolve the dispute or difference by agreement between themselves.

(b) If the dispute or difference is not resolved by agreement between the parties, then the member of the NZACPE Executive first approached shall direct it to the Executive who shall appoint an uninvolved CPE Supervisor to meet with the parties concerned where the dispute or difference may be resolved.

(c) Should there be no satisfactory resolution, the complainant shall put the complaint in writing to the Secretary of the NZACPE for referral to a specifically constituted Complaints Committee, comprising of two CPE Supervisors/educators/consultants (one from outside the Centre involved) and an independent member appointed by the NZACPE Executive and agreed to by the complainant and the respondent. If they do not agree then the NZACPE Chairperson will appoint the independent member.

(d) Both parties will be encouraged to be accompanied by a support person when appearing before the Complaints Committee.

(e) If the complaint is upheld, the Complaints Committee will have the right to take disciplinary action as appropriate, including consultation with Church Courts.

(f) The Complaints Committee will hear all complaints within one month (of the written complaint being received by the Secretary); both parties will be advised of the outcome immediately a decision is made. A written statement of the resolution will be attached to the complaint and lodged with the secretary of the NZACPE.

(g) Should the complainant or the respondent be dissatisfied, they may lodge a complaint with The Human Rights Commission.