Dual Relationship
Also called: multiple relationship, conflict of interest, boundary
Definition
A situation in which a practitioner holds a professional role with someone and also another role — social, financial, or personal — that could impair judgement, create a conflict of interest, or risk exploitation. The concern is the risk to objectivity and to the other person, not whether anyone intends harm.
In plain language
Having a second kind of relationship with someone you work with, such as friend, neighbour, or business contact. The worry is that it can cloud judgement, even when nobody means any harm.
Examples
Being asked to babysit privately for a family you work with, and raising it with your supervisor before answering.
Raising it early is what keeps the decision out of the moment.
Declining a personal gift beyond a token, in line with employer policy.
Not dual relationship
Greeting a family politely when you meet them by chance in a shop. An unavoidable encounter is not a second role.
Working with two learners in the same class, which is a normal caseload rather than a conflict.
Commonly confused with
See also
Written from
- bacb-rbt-ethics-code-2 — Professional boundaries and conflicts of interest
Written from the professional-boundaries structure of the technician ethics code. No code text reproduced.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.