Code of Ethics

Responsibility for Self:

Maintains competency.

• Takes accountability for identifying, developing and fully utilizing knowledge and abilities for professional practice.
• Ensure competence by education, training, supervision and experience.
• Disengage from situations that may cause or be seen to cause loss of objectivity or effectiveness.
  

Maintains high standards of profession conduct.

• Practice the professional to the best of their ability and in accordance with the standards and regulations governing child care in Alberta.
• Failure to comply with relevant provincial and local agency regulations, standards and codes shall be considered a breach of the Code of Ethics of the CYCAA.
  

Maintains physical and emotional well-being.

• Aware of own values and their implication from practice.
• Aware of self as a growing, learning and strengthening professional.
  

Responsibility to the client:

• Responsible for ensuing that their relationships with their clients are therapeutic. If the relationship brings no benefits or is detrimental to the client, terminate the non-therapeutic relationship and refer the client to other professionals.
• Maintain professionalism in consultation, communication and collaboration with other professionals in providing the best possible care for the client.
• Will maintain confidentiality with regard to information concerning clients.
• Any use of client information for teaching, public education, or research is acceptable only if the client and all those in a position of legal responsibility have given informed consent for the release of information.

Responsibility to the Employer/Employing Organization:

• Publicly respect the prerogatives and obligations of the institutions or organizations with which they are associated.
• Treats colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith.
• Relates to the clients of colleagues with professional consideration.
• Respects the commitments made to the employer/employing organization.

Responsibility to the Profession

• Shall not intentionally, and/or accidently compromise the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta and/or the objectives of the CYCAA in any way or means.
• Will ensure the accuracy of information and soundness of recommendations forwarded to another involved professional, agency or the courts.
• Maintain personal and professional integrity.
• Be responsible for involving themselves in their professional association and working to strengthen that association.
• Recognizes that in situations of professional practice the standards in this Code shall guide the resolution of ethical conflicts.
• Ensures that education and training programs are competently designed and delivered.
• Ensures that administrators and supervisors lead programs in high quality and ethical practice in relation to clients, staff, governing bodies and the community.

Responsibility to Society:

• Contributes to the profession in making services available to the public.
• Promotes understanding and facilitates acceptance of diversity in society.
• Demonstrates the standards of this Code with students and volunteers.
• Encourages informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.

(Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta, 2008)