Professionalism and Ethical Behaviours

 

Professionalism and ethical behaviours are core parts of practice for Direct Support Workers (DSWs). They help workers provide safe, respectful, responsible, and person-centred support.

Ethical standards are guidelines that help professionals understand how they should behave and make responsible decisions when supporting other people.

 

They help workers:

 

Treat people with respect and dignity.

Protect people's rights and safety.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Respect for privacy and confidentiality.

Support people's choices and independence.

Make responsible decisions when difficult situations occur.

 

The Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) developed ethical standards to help guide people working and teaching in the human services field.

 

Why Are Ethical Standards Important?

 

Ethical standards are important because they:

 

Keep people safe.

Protect people's rights.

Promote dignity and respect.

Guide professional decision-making.

Help workers understand their responsibilities.

Promote trust between the person receiving support and the support worker.

Example

 

Good response:

A person receiving support tells their Direct Support Worker something private. The worker listens respectfully, maintains confidentiality, and follows the appropriate procedures if there is a safeguarding concern.

 

Bad response:

The worker tells friends or other people personal information about the individual or discusses the person's private situation where other people can hear.

 

Easy-Read Summary

 

Ethical standards help Direct Support Workers know how to behave professionally. They help workers respect people's rights, dignity, privacy, choices, and safety.

Ethical Standards

Professionalism: The conduct, aims, and qualities expected of a professional person.

Ethical standards: Guidelines that help professionals make appropriate and responsible decisions.

History: The Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) adopted Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals in the United States in 1996.

Purpose: The standards provide guidance for ethical and professional behaviours among people working and teaching in human services.

Competencies and Procedures

 

Competency is the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviours a worker needs to perform their job effectively.

 

In Canada, the Developmental Services Human Resource Strategy (DSHRS) has worked on identifying core competencies for workers in developmental services.

 

Its goals include:

 

Developing a stronger and more skilled workforce.

Identifying effective training and development approaches.

Promoting developmental services as a career of choice.

Learning from training models and best practices.

Improving the quality of support provided to people with developmental disabilities.

Easy-Read Summary

 

Professionalism means behaving appropriately and responsibly as a professional.

 

Ethical standards help workers know what is right and responsible when supporting people.

 

Competencies are the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviours workers need to do their jobs well.

 

Together, professionalism, ethics, and competencies help Direct Support Workers provide safe, respectful, effective, and person-centred support.

Professionalism and ethical behaviours are important parts of being a Direct Support Worker.

They help workers provide safe, respectful, responsible, and person-centred support.