Mark Hand is Director of Profession, International, Cymru and Northern Ireland
Welcome to the first of a new series of monthly blogs that will be highlighting our shared role in upholding professional standards. This is vital, in order to preserve the reputation of you, our members, of the planning profession and of the RTPI.
Whether you’re a new student member or a Fellow with decades of experience, every member at every level of membership has signed up to the RTPI’s Code of Professional Conduct.
What does our Code of Professional Conduct say?
Our Code sets out the required standards of professional conduct and practice expected of RTPI members. Its purpose is to protect and guide practitioners, and to serve as a tool to maintain public trust in the profession.
All members, irrespective of their class of membership, are required to adhere to its five core principles:
- Honesty and integrity;
- Professional competence;
- Independent professional judgment;
- Professional practice and duties;
- Professional behaviour and respect.
The importance of professionalism
Professional institutions play a key role in defining ethical behaviour and setting standards to regulate the education, accreditation and practice of their members. It is the application of values and principles that helps to build public trust and confidence in a profession. The planning profession operates across a range of organisations and businesses, including private firms or consultancies, local planning authorities, sole practitioners and national agencies and governments. But perhaps most importantly, our work touches the lives of every community.
Being a member of the RTPI brings responsibilities and obligations. It not only involves a high level of technical competence, but also meeting certain standards of behaviour.
Complaints
Any alleged breach in the Code is dealt with through the RTPI’s Complaints Procedure. Complaints can be brought by other RTPI members, members of the public or clients.
The RTPI can also investigate matters without a formal complaint. The following penalties, increasing in sanction, may be imposed on RTPI members found to be in breach of the Code:
- Warning;
- Reprimand;
- Suspension; or
- Termination of membership.
RTPI members may or may not be named in the published report of the decision and advice on how to conduct themselves in the future can also be given, whether or not a penalty is imposed.
Why is this important to you?
Public scrutiny and distrust of professionals seems to be increasing everywhere. In 2025, we received 66 new allegations of misconduct, a significant increase compared to 35 cases in 2024. Of these 66, 42 related to allegations of professional misconduct (compared to 27 in 2024) and 24 related to allegations of plagiarism during the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) process (compared to eight in 2024).
In the UK, this trend sits in the context of wider post-Grenfell scrutiny of the construction industry and the wider built-environment professions including planning. The MHCLG recently consulted on a prospectus for a single construction regulator, and the RTPI continues to engage with the Construction Industry Council on these emerging proposals.
The good news is that the proportion of cases where misconduct is found remains constant, and the number of allegations received remains tiny given our 27,000 strong membership globally.
It is always worth remembering that as members, we have a role in self-policing conduct. Clause 32 of our Code of Professional Conduct requires members to report concerns about misconduct by others. To borrow the British Transport Police’s slogan – see it, say it, sort it.
And for members working in England, Scotland and Wales, many of you will be starting your working week in a re-positioned political context after last week’s elections. Even if the lead party hasn’t changed, the balance of power probably has. As members and as an Institute, we have a role in guiding a significant intake of new local councillors, Members of the Scottish Parliament or Members of the Senedd through what planning is (and isn’t) and how robust planning decisions are made. There may be times ahead when you need to diplomatically remind politicians that you’re bound by clauses 11 and 12 of our Code:
- Members must exercise fearlessly and impartially their independent professional judgement to the best of their skill and understanding.
- Members must not make or subscribe to any statements or reports which are contrary to their own genuine professional opinions, nor knowingly enter into any contract or agreement which requires them to do so.
Resources available
The Code of Professional Conduct can be found on our recently refreshed professional standards webpages, alongside information about how allegations of misconduct are investigated, the potential sanctions, recent decisions and a host of guidance to help you, including a series of Professional Standards Guidance Notes.
This guidance has been prepared to support RTPI members with their professional responsibilities relating to the importance of professionalism, ethical challenges, raising concerns and whistleblowing, and complaints.
