This topic should provide you with the ability to recognise how to work ethically in the community services industry, both respecting and protecting the rights of clients. You will learn to:
protect the rights of clients when delivering services, regardless of personal values, beliefs and attitudes;
utilise appropriate problem-solving techniques when facing competing value systems, and discuss potential ethical issues with appropriate personnel; and
recognise and report unethical conduct to appropriate personnel.
Section 3.3 Legislation and professional practice
Over and above such codes of ethics can be legislative Acts (legislation) with provisions outlining precisely what behaviour is required by workers in certain community services. For example, any services working with children have legislative responsibilities in relation to protection of children from sexual assault; and within the disability service there are similar legal requirements.
There is also a common law responsibility of a duty of care towards clients. This duty exists and is owed at all times by all workers and professionals catering for the needs of others.
As workers in the community services industry, you will need to be familiar with the requirements of the particular field in which you are involved. You will need to be aware of the governmental requirements for your behaviour within your chosen field (the legislation), your own professional code of conduct (eg. nursing), any professional code of conduct applicable to the field of work you are in (eg. disability) and your employing agency's code of ethics. We will be looking later at the code of conduct for welfare workers as an example.
