Responsibilities
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
TO CLIENTS AND CLIENT GROUPS
The welfare and community worker is placed in a unique relationship to other persons because of employment and profession. Obligations arise from that relationship - to safeguard the dignity of the client, to maintain the integrity of the practitioner and to recognise the value and worth of all persons involved in the welfare work practice.
- CONFIDENTIALITY - The welfare and community worker shall regard all information concerning clients disclosed in the course of practice as confidential, except where:
- With the client's permission referrals are to be made and other professional consultation is sought;
- Failure to disclose information would breach the terms of the welfare worker's employment (such exceptions must be notified to the client).
- ACCOUNTABILITY - In exercising certain powers and using information, the welfare and community worker has accountability to both the employing agency and to clients. However, special accountability to clients in preserving their dignity and autonomy is acknowledged.
- RESPECT - The welfare and community worker has an obligation to treat clients with respect, to promote maximum self worth and dignity, and to safeguard and promote the capacity for free choice by the client.
TO COLLEAGUES
As a professional person the welfare and community worker can be expected to:
- Respect the practitioner skills and conceptual abilities of colleagues.
- Provide loyalty and support to colleagues where this does not contradict the principles of this code of ethics.
- Share knowledge, skills and insights with colleagues.
- Bring to the attention of colleagues unprofessional or unethical conduct, and if unresolved, to refer the matter to the appropriate professional bodies.
- Refrain from any personal behaviour which may damage the profession.
TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYING ORGANISATIONS
The welfare and community worker is expected to have clarified prior to employment that agency policies and practices are likely to allow the applications of the principles contained in this code of ethics. As an employee of an organisation the welfare and community worker is expected to:
- Carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined as terms of employment.
- Assist in promoting the stated aims of the employing organisation in terms of policy, procedure and practice.
- Distinguish in public statements or behaviour, whether acting as an authorised spokesperson of the employer or in a private capacity.
- Use professionally approved channels to express criticism of employment practices which are detrimental to the profession.
- Be accountable to the employing organisations for the full discharge of duties - except where such contradicts this code of ethics.
TO THE PROFESSION
- Maintain proper standards of practice, and uphold principles and ethics of the code at all times.
- Maintain the standards of knowledge, skill and learning appropriate to professional development.
- Promote understanding of the role and skills of professional welfare and community work.
OF THE PROFESSION
The welfare and community work profession through the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc. will contribute to the knowledge, attitudes and skills of practitioners and positively promote social wellbeing in the community. By the application of sanctions, the Institute will move to protect individuals and communities against incompetent and unethical practices.
On advice from a State Branch of the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc., a review of alleged incompetent and unethical practices will be conducted by the Membership Assessment Panel which may recommend to the National Executive sanctions including removing eligibility for or membership of the Institute.