Dual Relationships policy
1. Purpose
This policy supports ethical, accountable and discreet management of overlapping professional and personal roles. It recognises that dual relationships may arise, particularly in small communities, while requiring clear boundaries and protection from harm.
2. Scope
This policy applies to the Director, employees, contractors, students, clients and relevant stakeholders. It covers therapy, supervision, employment, training, groups, community relationships, social contact and other roles that overlap with an SSAH professional relationship.
3. Principles
Do no harm. Client wellbeing, autonomy, dignity and freedom from exploitation take priority.
Clear boundaries. The purpose, limits and expectations of each role are explained and maintained.
Transparency. A material overlap is disclosed to the Director, SSAH or an independent supervisor before it affects services.
Confidentiality. Information learned in one role is not disclosed or used in another without authority.
Proportionate management. Where avoidance is impracticable, safeguards, supervision, referral or role changes are documented.
4. Definitions
Dual relationship: a situation in which a person holds more than one role with another person, such as clinician and friend, clinician and colleague, or supervisor and therapist.
Boundary confusion: uncertainty or blurring between personal and professional roles that creates ethical concern or risk of harm.
Conflict of interest: a personal interest or relationship that interferes, could interfere, or could appear to interfere with professional duties and objective judgement.
Confidentiality breach: unauthorised disclosure or use of information outside the purpose and boundaries for which it was obtained.
5. Legal, ethical and professional framework
SSAH applies this policy consistently with the following requirements, where relevant:
AASW Code of Ethics 2020 and current AASW Practice Standards.
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and other applicable privacy or health-record law.
Health Complaints Act 2016 (Vic) and the General Code of Conduct for general health service providers.
NDIS Code of Conduct, where SSAH provides NDIS supports or services.
SSAH Conflict of Interest Policy and Complaints Policy.
6. Boundary requirements
SSAH workers must minimise conflicts, preserve confidentiality and keep personal relationships from interfering with professional responsibilities. In particular:
an employee or contractor must not provide therapy to an immediate family member, including a parent, sibling, partner or child;
a worker must not commence a separate personal or therapy relationship with a current SSAH client outside the worker's assigned professional role;
a worker should not act as both supervisor and therapist for the same person;
a prior therapy, supervision, employment, family, friendship, business or community relationship must be assessed before a new SSAH role begins;
people who are partners or siblings should not ordinarily be placed in the same training or support group; if the relationship begins or becomes known later, it must be disclosed to the facilitator; and
online and social-media contact must maintain the same professional boundaries and confidentiality as in-person contact.
7. Disclosure in groups, training and services
Workers must disclose a personal relationship that could affect professional dynamics, confidentiality, fairness or the delivery of services. At the start of a group or training activity, participants should be invited to identify prior or current relationships with other participants or facilitators privately where possible, without being required to disclose unnecessary personal information.
8. Cooling-off and transition between roles
Where a person moves between therapy, supervision, employment, training or another professional role, an appropriate cooling-off period should be considered. There is no automatic period suitable for every case. The decision must consider the former relationship, power imbalance, vulnerability, confidentiality, client preference, alternatives, professional standards and foreseeable harm.
9. Assessment and management
Identify the overlapping roles, affected people, power differences, confidentiality issues and actual, potential or perceived conflicts.
Discuss the matter promptly with the Director, SSAH or an independent supervisor before proceeding where practicable.
Consider avoidance, referral, reassignment, role clarification, a cooling-off period, informed discussion, additional supervision or another safeguard.
Document the assessment, consultation, client involvement, decision, controls and review date in the appropriate confidential record.
Monitor the arrangement and change or end it if boundaries become unclear, consent is not freely given or risk increases.
10. Compliance
All people within scope are expected to respect this policy. A worker's failure to disclose or manage a harmful dual relationship may result in supervision, changed duties, disciplinary action or termination of engagement. Where a client or participant cannot safely continue within the arrangement, SSAH may change the service or facilitate referral, with continuity and non-retaliation considered.
References
Australian Association of Social Workers. Code of Ethics 2020. https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aasw/ethics-standards/code-of-ethics/
Australian Association of Social Workers. Practice Standards 2023. https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aasw/ethics-standards/practice-standards/
Health Complaints Commissioner Victoria. General Code of Conduct for general health service providers. https://hcc.vic.gov.au/providers/general-health-service-providers-code-conduct
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03712/latest
Document contact
For questions or concerns about professional boundaries, a dual relationship or this policy, contact the Director, SSAH on 0435 005 669 or hello@socialsense.com.au. Correspondence may also be sent to PO Box 212, Brunswick VIC 3056.