Element 3
- 1. Element 3 Working Ethically 1. Protecting the rights of clients 2. Using effective problem-solving techniques to resolve differences in value systems 3. Delivering services to all clients 4. Recognising and discussing potential ethical issues and dilemmas 5. Recognising and reporting unethical conduct 6. Working within your job role 7. Applying disclosure and confidentiality guidelines and legal requirements 8. Taking into account your own values and attitudes 9. Recognising, avoiding and addressing conflict of interest. Nerrilyn Agius 1 9/08/2012
- 2. The clients we care for have the some needs, desires and rights as everybody else, be familiar and have an understanding of the laws, legislations, charters, industry standards, codes of conduct and accreditation standards that apply in your day-to-day duties. Nerrilyn Agius 2 9/08/2012
- 3. Ethical is defined as; “in agreement with accepted principles or rules for right conduct” Ethics are principles that guide your decisions and actions in a way that ensures you are safeguarding the rights and interests of the people in your care. Nerrilyn Agius 3 9/08/2012
- 4. When you know the legislations and standards you are obliged to meet, you need to apply this knowledge to your work. To do this effectively consider your clients’ rights in the following 10 areas based on the codes of ethics 1. Dignity 2. Privacy 3. Confidentiality 4. Informed choice 5. Access to services 6. Social needs 7. Freedom of association 8. Lodge a complaint • Internal • External • Advocacy 9. Express ideas and opinions 10. An agree standard of care Nerrilyn Agius 4 9/08/2012
- 5. When working in community services be aware of the values held by your clients, family members and carers as well as your own. Never assume you client and co-workers share you values or beliefs. You do not have to agree with other peoples values, ideas and beliefs but you must be respectful of their rights to have their values. Never impose your values on others. Nerrilyn Agius 5 9/08/2012
- 6. When beliefs and value systems differ, there is the potential for conflict and misunderstanding. Nerrilyn Agius 6 9/08/2012
- 7. Respecting individual differences: • Attitudes • Values • Beliefs • Culture • Gender roles • Sexuality Create a client centred approach Nerrilyn Agius 7 9/08/2012
- 8. As a support worker you will need to make a number of difficult decisions based on an ethical rather than a legal situation. These ethical issues you need to be aware of; •Understanding relationship boundaries •Accepting gifts •Maintaining client safety and security •Dealing with conflicting priorities •Dealing with conflicting rights and responsibilities. Nerrilyn Agius 8 9/08/2012
- 9. Ethical dilemmas occur when ideas or actions conflict with what you believe to be ethically correct. Strategies to deal with ethical dilemmas include: • Self – evaluation • Refer to regulations • Refer to others for discussion • Network • Mediations • Counselling Nerrilyn Agius 9 9/08/2012
- 10. Ethical decision – making is the process of evaluation and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. When making ethical decisions it is necessary to: • notice and eliminate unethical options • evaluate complex, ambiguous and incomplete facts • select the best ethical alternative • have ethical commitment, ethical consciousness and ethical competency • use ethical thinking and decision-making • notice the ethical issues and being committed to act ethically are not always enough; reasoning and problem-solving skills are often necessary Nerrilyn Agius 10 9/08/2012
- 11. Unethical conduct can occur in many situations. It can be difficult to identify as it may occur behind closed doors or when no-one else is around. Unethical conduct can be: Not following the care plan properly Walking someone alone who needs to be assisted by two people Breaching confidentiality Recording an incident untruthfully Recording a treatment without having performed the treatment Skipping care tasks Performing a procedure you are unqualified to do. Nerrilyn Agius 11 9/08/2012
- 12. Unethical behaviour is more likely to occur when a person is: • overworked • worried or stressed • working with clients who have high-care needs • not building a good rapport with their clients • not suited to the work environment Before taking any formal steps to report unethical conduct, you need to check that the behaviour is unethical. Nerrilyn Agius 12 9/08/2012
- 13. Unethical behaviour should be reported as soon as possible to your supervisor Each organisation will have a policy for reporting complaints, problems or grievances. Nerrilyn Agius 13 9/08/2012
- 14. To work within your job role you should adhere too: • the duties and responsibilities outlined in your position description • your organisation’s policies and procedures • your scope of practice • your legal and ethical obligations • your level of responsibility. Nerrilyn Agius 14 9/08/2012
- 15. Consent should be sought from the client before any personal information is disclosed. The only other circumstances where information can be legally disclosed are: Where there is a serious threat to a client’s health or safety Where there is a threat to public health or safety Where a court has issued a summons or court order for the information Where there are mandatory reporting requirements in place such as in the case of suspected child/ elder abuse Nerrilyn Agius 15 9/08/2012
- 16. Attitude – our personal ideas we have about things Values – what is important to us Beliefs – how we see and understand things Verbal language - the words and sounds we make Non- Verbal language – body language Nerrilyn Agius 16 9/08/2012
- 17. As a care worker do not be judgemental. Our duty of care is to create a professional, supportive and caring relationship with our clients. Non Judgemental behaviours include: • Remember there are other ways of feeling, thinking and behaving • Don’t expect your clients and co-workers to behave in a certain way • Accept the opinions and ideas of your clients and co- workers • Accept clients and co-workers as important individuals • Allow your clients and co-workers to complete tasks in their own way where possible Nerrilyn Agius 17 9/08/2012
- 18. A conflict of interest occurs when a staff member has private or personal interests that could conflict with their work Potential conflicts of interest can arise from the following issues: • Emotional • Sexual • Personal • Family • Social • Religious • Financial • Business • Political • Professional • Organisational Nerrilyn Agius 18 9/08/2012
Editor's Notes
- #5: Pages 62-67
- #8: Pages 70-71 discuss
- #12: Page 77Not following the care plan properlyWalking someone alone who needs to be assisted by two peopleBreaching confidentialityRecording an incident untruthfullyRecording a treatment without having performed the treatmentSkipping care tasksPerforming a procedure you are unqualified to do.
- #16: Page 80Where there is a serious threat to a client’s health or safetyWhere there is a threat to public health or safetyWhere a court has issued a summons or court order for the informationWhere there are mandatory reporting requirements in place such as in the case of suspected child/ elder abuse