top of page

Clinical Governance & Professional Standards

Last updated: August 2026

​

I am committed to providing psychological services that are ethical, evidence-informed, professionally accountable and delivered within clear professional boundaries.

​

Aaron Shaw Psychology is an independent private practice operated by me, Dr Aaron Shaw, HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist.

​

I also hold separate NHS, academic and other professional roles. These roles are operationally and professionally separate from Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

This page explains the governance arrangements I use to maintain that separation and to support safe, ethical and transparent private practice.

Professional registration and accountability

I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Psychologist.

​

My clinical work is undertaken in accordance with relevant professional standards, including the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

​

These standards include requirements relating to:

​

  • working within professional competence;

  • confidentiality;

  • maintaining appropriate professional boundaries;

  • keeping full, clear and secure records;

  • managing conflicts of interest;

  • communicating responsibly;

  • responding appropriately to concerns and complaints.

 

My HCPC registration can be independently verified through the HCPC Register.

​

I am also a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.

Independent Private Practice

Aaron Shaw Psychology is an independent private practice.

​

Services provided through Aaron Shaw Psychology are not provided on behalf of, commissioned by, affiliated with or endorsed by:

​

  • the NHS;

  • any NHS organisation;

  • any university;

  • any Clinical Psychology training programme;

  • any other current or former employer.

 

References on this website to my qualifications, clinical experience, professional roles or employment history are provided as relevant biographical information only.

​

They should not be interpreted as endorsement of Aaron Shaw Psychology by any organisation with which I currently work or have previously worked.

Separation from NHS Employment

I hold a separate substantive professional role within the NHS.

​

My NHS work and my private practice are maintained separately.

​

Private clinical work and associated private-practice activities are undertaken outside my contracted NHS working hours and around my existing professional commitments.

​

My NHS responsibilities take precedence during contracted NHS working time.

​

I do not use NHS:

  • patient or carer information;

  • clinical records;

  • patient databases;

  • referral lists;

  • email accounts;

  • clinical or administrative systems;

  • equipment;

  • premises;

  • staff;

  • administrative support;

to operate or promote Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

My private-practice records, correspondence, appointments and administrative systems are maintained separately from NHS systems.

​

Private clients do not receive preferential access to NHS services, clinicians, investigations, assessments or treatment as a result of seeing me privately.

Conflicts of interest

Holding a number of professional roles can sometimes create an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.

​

I take responsibility for identifying and managing these situations.

​

Where required, private practice and other relevant professional interests are declared through the appropriate organisational governance processes.

​

Where a potential conflict arises, I may take steps including:

​

  • declaring the conflict;

  • seeking advice from the relevant organisation;

  • withdrawing from a decision-making process;

  • declining private work;

  • restricting my involvement in a particular professional activity;

  • recommending another clinician or service;

  • documenting how the conflict has been managed.

 

Financial interests associated with Aaron Shaw Psychology must not influence decisions I make within my NHS, academic or other professional roles.

​

Similarly, confidential information obtained through another professional role is not used to benefit my private practice.

​

This reflects HCPC requirements to declare matters that could create conflicts of interest and ensure that they do not influence professional judgement.

NHS patients and private work

I do not use my NHS role to solicit, promote or generate private clinical work.

​

I will not knowingly take somebody on as a private clinical client where I am personally responsible for providing that individual's NHS care.

​

If an overlap becomes apparent after an enquiry has been received, I will consider the professional and ethical implications before deciding whether private work can appropriately proceed.

​

People receiving NHS care are, of course, entitled to obtain independent private healthcare. However, Aaron Shaw Psychology must not be used to obtain preferential access to, or circumvent, an NHS service for which I have professional responsibility.

Dementia services and my NHS role

I also hold a separate NHS role within a specialist dementia service.

​

This work is entirely separate from Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

I do not:

  • direct NHS patients towards my private practice;

  • use NHS dementia-service information to generate private referrals;

  • use confidential NHS records within my private practice;

  • provide private clients with preferential access to NHS dementia services;

  • use private payment as an alternative route into an NHS dementia pathway.

 

If you live in Bristol

If you live in Bristol and are concerned about possible memory problems or dementia, the appropriate NHS pathway is the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service.

​

If you are experiencing memory difficulties and do not currently have a diagnosis of dementia, you should normally speak with your GP, who can consider whether referral for specialist assessment is appropriate.

​

If you already have a diagnosis of dementia, or care for somebody who does, support is available directly through the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service Access Point.

Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service

​

Aaron Shaw Psychology is independent from the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service and is not an alternative route into NHS dementia assessment or care.

​

Where somebody contacting me privately would be more appropriately supported through commissioned NHS dementia services, I will signpost them accordingly.

Private neuropsychology and cognitive work

Any neuropsychological, cognitive or rehabilitation work provided through Aaron Shaw Psychology is independent of my NHS work.

​

Private psychological or cognitive assessment should not automatically be regarded as equivalent to an NHS medical or diagnostic assessment.

​

The purpose, scope and limitations of any assessment will be made clear before it is undertaken.

​

Where someone's presentation indicates that they may require:

  • medical assessment;

  • neurological investigation;

  • neuroimaging;

  • specialist dementia assessment;

  • psychiatric assessment;

  • another NHS or specialist service;

 

I will discuss this and recommend appropriate onward assessment where indicated.

​

Private payment through Aaron Shaw Psychology does not provide access to NHS investigations or services.

Academic, recruitment and selection activities

I may undertake separate academic, teaching, supervision, research, recruitment or professional-selection activities.

​

These roles are independent of Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

I do not disclose or use confidential information obtained through:

  • recruitment;

  • shortlisting;

  • interviewing;

  • university admissions;

  • course selection;

  • other confidential professional processes

within my paid coaching or professional-development services.

​

Where I am personally involved in a recruitment, interview, selection or admissions process, I will not provide paid application or interview support to an individual where this would create an actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest.

​

If another professional role creates a potential conflict, I will consider this before accepting the work.

Career mentoring, DClinPsy and interview coaching

Professional-development services offered through Aaron Shaw Psychology — including Assistant Psychologist interview coaching, DClinPsy application support and career mentoring — are independent educational and professional-development services.

​

They are not:

  • psychological therapy;

  • part of an NHS recruitment service;

  • provided on behalf of a university;

  • provided on behalf of a DClinPsy training programme;

  • affiliated with the Clearing House;

  • endorsed by a recruitment or admissions panel.

 

I do not provide confidential recruitment, interviewing or admissions information obtained through another professional role.

​

Purchasing coaching or mentoring provides no preferential access or advantage within any recruitment or admissions process.

​

Further information is contained in my Terms & Conditions.

Professional boundaries

I maintain appropriate professional boundaries across my different roles.

​

Before accepting private work, I consider whether a previous or existing professional relationship could create:

  • a dual relationship;

  • a conflict of interest;

  • an inappropriate boundary;

  • a risk to objectivity or confidentiality.

 

There may therefore be circumstances in which I decline private work or recommend another psychologist even where I would otherwise have the relevant clinical expertise.

Scope of clinical practice

I work within the limits of my professional knowledge, skills, training and experience.

​

HCPC standards require registrants to practise only in areas in which they have the knowledge, skills and experience required to work safely and effectively.

​

Where another professional or service would be better placed to meet someone's needs, I will discuss this and recommend appropriate onward assessment or support where possible.

​

Psychological assessment and therapy inevitably involve some uncertainty. I therefore do not guarantee a particular diagnosis, therapeutic outcome or level of improvement.

Clinical recommendations may change as further information becomes available.

Clinical records

I maintain appropriate clinical records of the services I provide.

​

Clinical records are:

  • written and maintained by me;

  • stored electronically;

  • kept securely;

  • maintained separately from NHS records and systems;

  • retained in accordance with my established record-retention arrangements.

 

Clinical notes provide an appropriate professional record of assessment, formulation, intervention, risk, significant decisions and treatment planning. They are not intended to be verbatim transcripts of therapy sessions.

​

Further information about how records are stored and retained is contained in my Privacy Notice.

Recording of psychological sessions

I do not routinely audio- or video-record psychological therapy sessions.

​

Occasionally, recording may be considered for a specific:

  • therapeutic;

  • clinical;

  • supervision; or

  • professional-training purpose.

 

For example, recording may occasionally be required as part of appropriately supervised training in a therapeutic approach.

​

If recording is proposed, I will explain in advance:

  • why it is being requested;

  • how the recording will be used;

  • where it will be stored;

  • who will have access to it;

  • whether it will be shared with a supervisor or trainer;

  • how long it will be retained;

  • how it will subsequently be deleted.

 

Appropriate informed agreement will be obtained separately before any recording takes place.

​

I do not routinely use automated transcription services to create clinical notes from therapy sessions.

Confidentiality

Information disclosed during psychological work is treated as confidential.

​

There are, however, recognised limits to confidentiality.

​

Information may sometimes need to be shared where this is justified because of:

  • serious risk to someone's life or safety;

  • serious risk to another person;

  • safeguarding concerns involving a child or adult at risk;

  • a legal obligation;

  • a valid court order;

  • another circumstance in which disclosure is professionally or legally justified.

 

HCPC standards require confidential information to be protected and only disclosed where there is an appropriate basis for doing so.

​

Where reasonably possible, I will discuss concerns about information-sharing with the person concerned before disclosure occurs.

​

Further information is available in my Privacy Notice and clinical Client Agreement.

Data protection

Aaron Shaw Psychology is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and processes personal information in accordance with applicable UK data-protection requirements.

​

I collect only information reasonably necessary for the service being provided.

​

Private clinical records are maintained separately from NHS and other employment systems.

​

Details regarding:

  • information collected;

  • lawful bases for processing;

  • special-category health information;

  • third-party service providers;

  • storage and security;

  • information sharing;

  • retention;

  • individual data-protection rights

are explained in my Privacy Notice.

​

Information about website cookies and tracking technologies is provided in my Cookie Policy.

Professional supervision and consultation

Clinical supervision and professional consultation are important parts of safe psychological practice.

​

I may discuss aspects of clinical work with an appropriately qualified supervisor or professional colleague where this supports safe, ethical and effective practice.

​

Where clinical material is discussed, I aim to minimise unnecessary identifying information.

​

Professionals involved in consultation or supervision are themselves expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality.

Safeguarding and risk

As a Clinical Psychologist, I have professional responsibilities relating to risk and safeguarding.

​

If significant concerns arise relating to:

  • suicide;

  • serious self-harm;

  • serious harm to another person;

  • abuse;

  • neglect;

  • exploitation;

  • the safety of a child;

  • the safety of an adult at risk;

 

I will consider what action is necessary to manage the concern appropriately.

​

Depending upon the circumstances, this may include:

  • developing a safety plan;

  • encouraging additional healthcare support;

  • contacting a GP or another healthcare professional;

  • contacting safeguarding services;

  • involving emergency services.

 

Information will only be shared where there is an appropriate professional or legal justification, and disclosure will be limited as far as reasonably possible to what is necessary.

Emergencies and crisis support

Aaron Shaw Psychology is an outpatient psychological service.

​

It is not an emergency, crisis or 24-hour mental-health service.

​

Email, website enquiries, telephone messages and social-media accounts are not continuously monitored and should not be relied upon where urgent help is required.

​

If you or another person is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical or mental-health support, you should use the appropriate NHS urgent-care or emergency services.

Social media and educational content

I use social media and other online platforms to share psychological information and information about Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

Material published through these channels is intended for general educational and informational purposes.

​

It does not constitute:

  • individual psychological assessment;

  • diagnosis;

  • individual treatment;

  • personalised clinical advice.

 

Viewing, following, commenting on or messaging a social-media account does not by itself create a psychologist-client relationship.

​

My professional social-media accounts are independent of my NHS, university and other employment.

​

Views and educational content shared through Aaron Shaw Psychology are my own and do not represent or imply endorsement by any NHS organisation, university, employer or other institution with which I hold a professional role.

​

Social-media content may be created and scheduled in advance. The date or time at which material is published does not necessarily indicate when it was created.

​

I maintain professional confidentiality and boundaries when using social media.

​

HCPC guidance specifically permits registrants using professional social media to make clear that their views are their own and do not represent their employer, while requiring professional content to remain accurate and confidentiality to be protected.

Marketing and professional information

Information published by Aaron Shaw Psychology is intended to provide an accurate description of:

  • my qualifications;

  • professional registration;

  • relevant clinical experience;

  • services offered;

  • fees;

  • locations;

  • availability.

 

References to my professional experience are not intended to imply endorsement by an employer or professional organisation.

​

I do not guarantee particular clinical, recruitment or admissions outcomes.

​

Psychological educational material is provided to help people understand common psychological experiences and should not be interpreted as indicating that an individual reader necessarily has a particular diagnosis or psychological difficulty.

Professional indemnity

I maintain appropriate professional indemnity arrangements for the services provided through Aaron Shaw Psychology.

​

Private-practice indemnity is separate from arrangements associated with my NHS employment.

Fees and contractual arrangements

Fees and payment arrangements are made clear before services are provided.

​

Private services are independent of NHS care.

​

Details regarding:

  • fees;

  • payment;

  • cancellations;

  • non-attendance;

  • insurance-funded work;

  • online appointments;

  • professional-development services;

  • consumer rights

are provided in my Terms & Conditions.

 

Clinical clients also receive an appropriate Client Agreement before therapy begins.

Complaints and concerns

I aim to provide services that are ethical, respectful and professionally accountable.

​

If somebody is unhappy with any aspect of the service provided through Aaron Shaw Psychology, I encourage them to raise this with me.

​

I will seek to respond openly, fairly and professionally.

​

A formal Complaints Policy explains:

  • how to raise a complaint;

  • how complaints are considered;

  • expected response times;

  • confidentiality;

  • appropriate external routes where relevant.

 

As an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist, I am also accountable to my professional regulator in relation to matters concerning professional conduct and fitness to practise.

Website information

Information contained on this website is provided for general informational purposes.

​

Reading information on this website or submitting an enquiry does not itself establish a therapeutic or psychologist-client relationship.

​

Website content is not intended to replace appropriate individual medical, psychiatric or psychological assessment.

​

Where an individual requires personalised advice, appropriate individual assessment should be sought.

Governance documents

This Clinical Governance statement should be read alongside the other policies governing Aaron Shaw Psychology:

​

Privacy Notice
How personal and clinical information is collected, processed, stored and protected.

​

Cookie Policy
How cookies and other website technologies are managed.

​

Terms & Conditions
The contractual arrangements applying to clinical and professional-development services.

​

Complaints Policy
How concerns and complaints can be raised and considered.

​

Ongoing governance review

I review my private-practice governance arrangements periodically and when there is a significant change in:

  • professional practice;

  • services offered;

  • technology;

  • legislation;

  • regulatory guidance;

  • employment or other professional responsibilities.

 

Where a new service or professional role creates a potential conflict or governance issue, I will consider this before proceeding and take appropriate steps to manage it.

​

Last reviewed: August 2026

bottom of page