Welcome to Professional Boundaries (Boundaries)

Welcome to this course

Real 2025 research for the Royal College of Surgeons found that in almost one in four proven sexual misconduct cases, tribunal sanctions were more lenient than the GMC itself had recommended, and 24% of doctors found guilty were not struck off at all. Real, current MPTS data also shows that over a third of sexual misconduct allegations brought before doctor tribunals in 2025 involved colleagues, not patients.

This course covers professional boundaries properly, the real power imbalance in professional relationships, real documented tribunal cases, boundaries with colleagues specifically, and modern risk areas including social media, grounded in real data, not a generic conduct checklist.

By the end of this course you will be able to

  1. Explain the real power imbalance that underlies professional boundary standards
  2. Recognise the real, documented risk factors in boundary violation cases
  3. Understand why boundaries with colleagues are treated just as seriously as boundaries with patients
  4. Identify modern risk areas, including social media, before they become a genuine concern
  5. Apply a genuine, practical self-check to a relationship or situation that feels uncertain

Who this is for

Any regulated health or social care professional. This is a genuinely common course, the underlying standard on professional boundaries is consistent across GMC, NMC, GDC, HCPC, GPhC, and Social Work England.

Please read this first

This course explains the general standard on professional boundaries. It is not legal advice. If you’re facing a live concern involving an allegation of a boundary violation, contact your defence organisation, union, or indemnity provider immediately.

Structure How this course is organised +

Four modules, three knowledge checks, and a final 12-question assessment. Score 80% to unlock your certificate.

  • Module 1 — why professional boundaries matter
  • Module 2 — real cases, real consequences
  • Module 3 — boundaries with colleagues
  • Module 4 — modern risk areas and practical safeguards

Around 2 hours in total, worth 2 CPD hours.

Part of Probity & Honesty — Common Courses +

This course sits alongside CrownEthics’ Probity & Honesty library, including Duty of Candour & Openness, Probity & Honesty in Practice, Financial Integrity & Probity, and Rebuilding Trust with Patients & Regulators.

Back to Course