AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners

This Malpractice and Maladministration Policy is for all service users, clients, and members of the public engaging with registered practitioners on the Register. It is also for use by members of the Register as a point of reference to ensure that they deal with all malpractice and maladministration investigations in a consistent manner. Malpractice or Maladministration are two distinct but related concepts.

The Register is committed to public protection and high professional standards, ensuring that the practitioners on it are properly trained and qualified, and meet the standards required to minimise risk to service users, clients and members of the public.

Maladministration

Mistakes or poor processes without intent to cause harm. Often due to carelessness, inexperience, or oversight. Examples include:

• Avoidable delays

• Mistakes from inattention

• Faulty or incomplete procedures

• Poor record keeping

• Failure to act when needed

• Poor communication

• Misuse of intellectual property

• Misrepresenting relationship/status with the Register

Malpractice

Intentional misconduct, misrepresentation, or breach of professional and ethical standards in delivering Animal or Equine Assisted Services, Horticultural or Nature-based therapies. Examples include:

• Breaching the Register’s Ethical Basis of Best Practice or Framework for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Horses

• Inappropriate treatment, language, or behaviour towards clients

• Disregarding protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010

• Making false claims about the benefits of a service

• Discrediting other recognised healthcare services

• Damaging the Register’s credibility

• Misrepresenting affiliation with the Register, AAHEP®, or the Professional Standards Authority

The Register protects service users, clients, and the public engaging with Animal or Equine Assisted Services, Horticultural or Nature-based therapies by defining and enforcing ethical and professional standards.

• Complaints can be raised directly in line with the Compliments and Complaints Policy.

• Allegations are reviewed by the Professional Conduct Review Committee (PCRC).

• If the PCRC decides to proceed, the matter is investigated under this policy.

• If no allegations are upheld, nothing is published.

• If allegations are upheld, the decision may be published on the Register’s website in line with the Professional Conduct Publication Policy.

Reasonable prevention steps include:

• Commitment to the Register’s ethical and professional standards.

• Careful verification of applications and supporting documents.

• Annual declarations from members and selective audits.

Report immediately (preferably in writing) with details of:

• Practitioner’s name, address, and registration number

• Affected service

• Description and dates of suspected malpractice/maladministration

• Any initial investigation and outcome

• Personal interest declarations (if any)

If an initial investigation has taken place before notifying the Register, those involved must be competent and impartial.

• PCRC assigns an impartial, trained investigator.

• Allegations reviewed against the declaration of compliance, or other associated ethical and professional commitments, as defined under the Registration Policy.

• Complainants are informed about process and timelines.

• Practitioners are notified of complaints, except where confidentiality/legal duties prevent disclosure.

• Fraud cases may be referred to police.

• Findings may be published on the Professional Conduct Notices page.

• Within 10 working days: Parties are notified.

• Practitioner response: 28 days to reply or request consensual disposal.

• If no consensual disposal, PCRC continues with review or formal hearing.

Investigations aim to:

• Assess if consensual disposal is appropriate

• Decide on interim suspension if needed for public interest

• Establish facts, causes, and scale of issues

• Consider impact on qualifications or services

• Recommend remedial actions or sanctions

• Decide on publication of outcomes

All investigations remain as confidential as possible, allowing practitioners to raise concerns about process or investigator conduct.

The PCRC will:

• Provide written notice of allegations and evidence

• Explain consequences and possible sanctions

• Share draft report for factual accuracy checks

• Identify breaches, facts, and responsible parties

• Recommend remedial actions or sanctions

• Publish final report on Professional Conduct Notices (if applicable)

• Notify relevant external bodies where necessary

If malpractice/maladministration is confirmed, the Register may:

• Publish outcome and sanctions

• Reduce future risk and protect public trust

• Revise risk assessments

• Issue deadlines for corrective action

• Increase monitoring of the practitioner

• Impose sanctions (warning, suspension, removal from Register)

• Notify other accredited registers

• Charge re-application fees if removal occurs

Parties can appeal sanctions under the Appeals Policy.

Reviewed annually by the Governing Board and updated as needed based on feedback, regulatory changes, or lessons learned.