Code of Ethics

Direct support work with people who have disabilities is based on the principle of interdependence. Interdependence means both parties will cooperate and interact with one and other. This gives the person being supported control and a say about their services, while also protecting the most vulnerable from harm. The code also gives our staff direction to empower people with a disability to be heard, have a good life, be included, insist on maximum independence, advocate for themselves, and to take their place as contributing members of the community.

6 KEY ETHICS

1. Respect for individual story
2. Achieving and maintaining wellbeing in an holistic sense
3. Upholding trust, confidence and integrity
4. Justice, Fairness and Equality
5. Commitment to appropriate and respectful communication
6. Confidentiality

Below is an outline of our 6 key ethics and a description of what action SILC will take to make sure people with a disability are supported in a way that these are followed.

SILC will listen to and respect the personal story of each individual accessing services, so they are in control of their life path through the “Plan for Supporting my Life”

Listen to the stories of people accessing services Value a person’s unique gifts and experience. Take into account the views of a person’s family or whanau where appropriate. Use methods other than verbal language to communicate where the person accessing services requires an alternative.

Help each person accessing services to value their unique identity and achieve personal wellbeing

Take into account the many factors involved in an individual’s wellbeing. Create relationships that establish trust and mutual respect. Make sure individual needs are identified and addressed. Promote independence and interdependence while safe from predictable harm. Ensure balance between the rights and responsibilities of the service users, their family or whanau, and the community.

SILC will work at all times towards partnerships with those people who are most vulnerable in society while maintaining trust, confidence and integrity.

Be aware of how our own values affect the decisions we make around supporting people with disabilities. Be accountable and take responsibility for our decisions and actions. Recognise the importance of modeling successful partnership principles.

SILC will promote and practice justice for the people accessing services and the community as a whole.

Help people understand and express their civil and legal rights and responsibilities ensuring advocacy is provided. Make sure community resources are made available to people accessing services. We will work together with individuals so they can have their say and their interests are looked after in a fair and equitable way.

SILC will communicate with and listen to people accessing services in a respectful way.

Meet the people accessing services with an open mind and spend time with them to find out the best way to communicate. Respect the knowledge of family or whanau and other significant people about the communication of the person accessing services. Ensure that we learn to communicate in the most appropriate mode for each Individual.

SILC will safeguard and respect the confidentiality of the people accessing services.

Construct a confidentiality agreement with the person accessing services. Use staff supervision to work out any ethical problems about information sharing. Recognise that there are times confidentiality agreements must be broken, for example, where there is potential harm to a person accessing services or others.