Protecting the public. Supporting professional standards.
The International Professional Registrar (IPR) exists to promote safe, ethical, competent and responsible professional practice.
Registration carries responsibilities.
Every professional registered with the IPR is expected to maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct, practise within their competence, respect professional boundaries, protect the interests of clients and comply with the IPR Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct and Professional Standards.
Where concerns are raised about a registered professional, the IPR may consider whether that professional's conduct, competence or circumstances affect their Fitness to Practise.
The purpose of the Fitness to Practise process is not simply to punish professionals. Its primary purpose is to:
- protect the public;
- maintain appropriate professional standards;
- promote safe and ethical practice;
- respond fairly to legitimate concerns;
- protect the integrity of the IPR Public Register;
- maintain public confidence in registered professionals; and
- provide registered professionals with a fair and impartial process.
All concerns are considered objectively, confidentially and in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness.
The Fitness to Practise process
The IPR maintains a complete professional-conduct framework. Concerns may move through some or all of the following stages, depending on the nature and seriousness of the matter:
- Raise a Concern / Make a Complaint
- Preliminary Assessment
- Investigation
- Mediation/Resolution where appropriate
- Professional Conduct Inquiry/Hearing
- Decision
- Sanction/Outcome
- Appeal/Review
Fairness to all parties
The existence of a complaint does not establish professional misconduct.
IPR will seek to ensure that Fitness to Practise procedures are fair to both the person raising the concern and the registered professional.
Decisions should be based on evidence rather than assumption, reputation, popularity or pressure.
The principles guiding the process are:
- Public protection
- Fairness
- Impartiality
- Proportionality
- Confidentiality
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Professional integrity
Important notice
IPR registration is professional registration and does not replace statutory registration or licensing where these are required by law.
Where a matter potentially involves criminal conduct, abuse, safeguarding concerns or immediate danger, individuals should contact the appropriate authorities within their jurisdiction.
The IPR may refer information to another regulator, professional body or competent authority where legally permitted or required and where necessary for public protection.
Protecting the public. Supporting professional standards.
Fitness to Practise is not simply about responding when something goes wrong.
It is about maintaining confidence that professionals holding IPR registration continue to demonstrate the competence, integrity, accountability and ethical standards expected of their profession.
Professional registration carries professional responsibility.