What are we consulting on?

The Council is required under the Teaching Council Act, 2001 (‘the Act’), to publish, review and maintain codes of professional conduct for teachers. The Act requires that the codes include standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence.

The first Codes of Professional Conduct were published by the Teaching Council in 2007. At that time, the Council committed to reviewing the Codes within a period of three to four years. A revised edition has now been drafted, which takes cognisance of a number of developments in the intervening years, including the publication by the Council of its Registration Regulations, 2009, together with its Policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education. It sets out the core values that characterise the work of teachers and elaborates on those values in required standards of professional conduct and practice.

The revised Code has a legal standing under the Act. It will act as a reference point for the Council in exercising its functions under Part 5 of that Act, which relates to the fitness to teach of a registered teacher. Engaging in conduct which is contrary to the Code is defined in the Act as professional misconduct.

 
What changes are proposed?

It is emphasised that there is no change to the status of the Code and it does not set out to give an exhaustive list of examples, but rather continue to rely upon the common sense and professionalism of teachers to make informed judgements in the circumstances they may find themselves.

The revised code seeks to be more concise and easier to navigate than the first draft. The format and wording were the subject of much deliberation, so as to ensure the Code will serve its purpose well, having regard to the Council’s important investigative and disciplinary functions.

The proposals in detail

• Part 1 Introduction: sets out the purpose, scope and legal status of the Code.

• Part 2 Ethics of the Teaching Profession: sets out the four core values which underpin the work of the teacher in the practice of his or her profession. They are set out under four headings: care; respect; trust and integrity. In the previous edition, this Section had been more detailed, with a total of 13 headings. In drafting this edition, the Council considered that much of what had been included under in the Core Values section in the first edition, were not values but rather professional commitments. As such, they have now been incorporated into Part 3 of the revised draft.

• Part 3 Standards of Professional Conduct: sets out the professional commitments that are expected of registered teachers. In the previous edition, these commitments had been set out in two separate sections – professional practice and professional conduct. Now all are combined in one section. Part 3 also incorporates some of the text which had been included under the Core Values heading in the last edition.

Submitting Feedback

Feedback on the draft Code of Conduct may be submitted using the Feedback Form.

We will collate all feedback received and use this to inform the Council’s work in finalising the Code. Once finalised, the Code will be published and disseminated to all teachers and the wider education community. 

Questions in relation to the draft Code or the consultation process  may be emailed to code@teachingcouncil.ie

The deadline for receipt of feedback is 27 January 2012.