Decisions about access to psychologists' services

Decisions about who receives services must involve no unlawful discrimination. Effective practice means the psychologist: (a) is respectful to clients at every point; (b) does not give a lesser service because they think the client's behaviour, mental health or other characteristics brought about the client's circumstances; (c) neither practises nor promotes unlawful discrimination; (d) bases services on assessed need and on how well the proposed service is likely to work, without providing or encouraging services that are not needed; (e) keeps themselves and others safe, without refusing services to a client who poses a safety risk where reasonable safety measures are possible; and (f) does not let moral or religious views or a conscientious objection block a client's access to services: the psychologist may decline to take part personally, but should tell the client (where relevant), their employer and other relevant practitioners respectfully and make sure the client has other options.

• Intake and waitlist criteria based on clinical need, with records of how declined referrals were handled
• Written conscientious objection procedure, with notices to the employer and onward referral details recorded
• Safety plans for clients assessed as presenting a risk, showing the reasonable steps taken to keep providing the service

• Referrals refused on grounds unrelated to need or capacity
• Objection raised with no alternative service arranged for the client
• Services extended past the point of need, with no review recorded