|
Code of Conduct / Code of Ethics
Each Staff Member, Director, and Volunteer of Alternate Shelter Society shall read, sign agreement to, and adhere to the following code. Any Staff Member, Director, or Volunteer who is found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics will be subject to disciplinary actions, termination of duties, and/or legal action. The key to quality of work in our job of providing care to youth and their families is a strong commitment to our ideals. Before working/volunteering at Alternate Shelter Society, new Staff Members, Directors, Volunteers, or Contractors must read the Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics and sign a statement affirming their agreement to abide by them. Staff Members, Directors, and Volunteers should also be aware that leaving the Society does not relieve them of their commitment to follow the standards of ethics and conduct related to privacy and confidentiality for youth and Alternate Shelter Society. 1. I understand and respect the rights of each youth. 2. I respect the uniqueness of each youth. 3. I respect and have no biases in terms of the differences in culture, religion, race, creed, sexuality, ability, and/or physical appearance of each youth. 4. I recognize youth as having different developmental stages and therefore different needs. 5. I recognize the importance of all behaviour as a meaningful attempt to have needs met. 6. I recognize that each youth has a personal perspective of his/her environment, and that our relationship with that youth depends on understanding that perspective. 7. I recognize the importance of constantly reassessing the youth's growth and applying new approaches when needed. 8. I recognize the necessity of a consistent, holistic approach in coordinating a variety of resources, as I am someone who provides care to young people for whom the usual means of development have proven to be inadequate or inappropriate. 9. I recognize that my goal is to provide the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support which will optimize opportunities for the youth as well as the worker in the environment where care is provided. 10. I have a working knowledge of laws pertaining to youth in care and will ensure that their rights are not violated or denied. 11. I will assume the role of advocate for youth when dealing with various social agencies. 12. I recognize that my work is based on the interaction between the youth and the various systems in place to serve them. 13. I have the ability to create trusting relationships in a relatively short period of time. 14. I will not ask youth in care to keep secrets. 15. I will inform youth in care that I will not keep secrets, and that I will follow disclosure policies. 16. I recognize the profound social responsibility involved in my work due to the fact that I may touch deeply the lives of those I serve. 17. I recognize my responsibility to further my knowledge of my profession through keeping an open mind, reading, and education. 18. I recognize my responsibility to maintain my objectivity. 19. I will maintain a non-judgmental attitude in the face of a variety of behaviours. 20. I will develop my ability to work with youth in crisis. 21. I am committed to monitoring my personal strengths and weaknesses and transforming these into successful youth caring skills and strategies. 22. I will make clear decisions in crisis situations. 23. I assume responsibility for decisions made on the job. 24. I will not enter into drug, alcoholic, financial, or sexual relations with residents/clients or former residents/clients. 25. I will rectify any violations of ethical, moral, or legal standards which come to my awareness. 26. I will participate in staff training and the ongoing development of Alternate Shelter Society. 27. I will exercise care, prudence, and common sense, and shall keep informed of the policies and affairs of Alternate Shelter Society. 28. I will not use my professional position or relationships for purposes which violate Alternate Shelter Society's principles. 29. I will establish good working relationships with outside agencies. 30. I will respect the rights and views of my fellow workers and other professionals I come into contact with. 31. I will deal with Co-workers, the Board of Directors, and the Management of Alternate Shelter Society openly, honestly, and in good faith, and make available and share with them all information as may be relevant to ensure that agency policies and guidelines are followed. 32. I will respect the privacy of and treat in confidence all matters and information involving Alternate Shelter Society, the Board, Staff Members, Volunteers, and the youth in our care and their families, and not disclose anything that is not public record. 33. I will ensure that the policies and procedures of Alternate Shelter Society are accurately and clearly communicated to other Staff Members and youth in our care, and ensure that actions and conduct are carried out in accordance with those policies and procedures. 34. I will disclose to Alternate Shelter Society all matters of financial, personal, or perceived conflict, including disclosing any criminal charges that I have received since the time that I began working for Alternate Shelter Society, or any involvement, personal interest, or the interest of any other organization of which I may be a member, officer, or employee, which may have some conflict with Alternate Shelter Society. 35. I will adhere to Alternate Shelter Society’s high level of ethics and responsibility in all matters concerning business and marketing, and I will ensure that community and consumer relations are based in fair and ethical principles. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and considered the Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics and agree to conduct myself in accordance with it. I understand that if I am found to have acted contrary to or in default of any part of the Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics, I may be subject to sanctions. These include, but are not limited to, private and public censure. Signature of Staff Member/Volunteer/Director Date _______________________________________ __________________ Signature of Witness Date
|