Ethical Behaviour & Code of Conduct

Deanne York Douglas
Deanne York Douglas
Last updated 
Understanding the importance of complying with HWH code of conduct and our ethical behaviour in the workplace.

Statement

HomeWise Health (HWH) delivers services that promote individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making and actively works to prevent abuse, harm, neglect and violence. 

HWH recognises that its reputation, the quality of the services it provides, and our clients' and the community's confidence are determined by the integrity and behaviour of the people we engage to provide services on our behalf.

Scope

Compliance with this policy is a condition of appointment for all persons engaged in providing services on behalf of HWH.

Definitions

Client-any person(s) for whom services are provided either directly or indirectly, including a person with a disability or the family members of that person.

Conduct - the way a person behaves.

Dignity - a sense of self-respect

Ethical Behaviour - acting with integrity, honesty and transparency. Treating people with dignity and respect upholds their human rights. Never abuse, exploit, harass or neglect a person with a disability.

Restrictive Practices - any practice, device or action that removes or restricts another person's freedom, movement or ability to decide. This includes detention, seclusion, exclusion, aversive intervention, chemical restraint, physical restraint, mechanical restraint and environmental restraint. Restrictive practices do not include therapeutic, or safety devices/practices where the device or practice is being used for its intended purpose and the person is not resisting or objecting to its use. (Restrictive Practices Reference Guide for the South Australian Disability Service Sector pg. 62).

A worker engaged in providing services - any person employed in either a paid or voluntary capacity to work with clients, client families or in an administrative capacity within HWH (including the Board).

Responsibilities

The Board is responsible for:
  • the governance and oversight of HWH and behaving ethically uphold this Code's principles.
The Executive Officers are responsible for:
  • enforcing this code
  • behaving in a manner that upholds the principles of this Code.
Human Resources Executive is responsible for:
  • reviewing and monitoring the application of this Code in all Divisions of HWH.
Care Managers are responsible for ensuring:
  • persons engaged in providing services have read and understood the Code of Ethical Behaviour before employment
  • persons engaged in providing services have signed the Code of Ethical Behaviour Declaration upon commencement of employment, and the declaration is forwarded to the Human Resources Department.
Workers engaged in providing services are responsible for:
  • reading the Code of Ethical Conduct and signing the Code of Ethical Behaviour Declaration upon commencing employment. The signed declaration should be handed to a Manager/Supervisor to be forwarded immediately to the Human Resources Department for inclusion in their file
  • making a Declaration of Interest, if the Carer has a delegated financial authority or a personal interest which might influence their decisions or conflict with the interests of HWH

Code of Conduct

A Worker engaged in providing services on behalf of HWH must:
  1. demonstrate integrity and humanity. Observe the principles of the AQUA UN Declaration of Human Rights, avoiding all discriminatory practices, including but not restricted to those relating to race, gender, sexual preference, religion and politics
  2. comply with all applicable Australian Laws
  3. provide support in a safe and ethical manner
  4. comply with providing services as directed verbally and/or in writing in the client's Care instructions
  5. restrict communication with clients to shift hours and direct all communication relating to shifts and availability through the appointed HWH Care Manager
  6. comply with HWH social media policy
  7. not give misinformation or participate in gossip about carers or clients
  8. not express personal opinions as being those of HWH
  9. comply with all lawful and reasonable directions given by someone who has the authority to give direction
  10. manage infection control
  11. provide appropriate supports and not discourage clients from seeking support from medical professionals, such as doctors or specialists
  12. comply with relevant privacy laws and not discuss or disclose personal information with anyone without the appropriate authority
  13. maintain accurate and objective records and documentation
  14. not offer non-medically prescribed advice to cure illnesses
  15. not work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  16. not financially exploit clients
  17. not engage in sexual or improper relationships with clients
  18. not impose restrictions on client choice and decision-making; provide transparent and honest information to clients based on professional direction
  19. preserve and, wherever possible, improve the quality of life for the client
  20. disclose and take reasonable steps to avoid any conflict of interest (real or apparent)
  21. use HWH resources in a proper manner
  22. treat all client's belongings and resources in an ethical, respectful and proper manner
  23. promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns that may impact the quality and safety of supports and services provided to clients
  24. take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against, and exploitation, neglect and abuse of, people with disability
  25. provide supports and services safely and competently recognise and promote individual freedom of expression
  26. not make use of the position held to gain, or seek to gain, a benefit or advantage
  27. at all times, behave in a manner that upholds the values, integrity and good reputation of HWH.
The Principals and Managers of HWH should take appropriate actions to achieve the objectives of HWH. These actions include but are not limited to:
  1. the effective and economical management of all available resources
  2. the  appointment, training and continuous development of competent and appropriately skilled Workers
  3. the development of effective communication, understanding and cooperation between all Workers at all levels
  4. fair and equitable treatment of all persons
  5. compliance with workplace-related legislation and regulations, including Work, Health and Safety, human resource management and financial management
  6. frequent review of management objectives to ensure the ethical application of all practices.

The Principles of Ethical Behaviour

Workers engaged in providing services on behalf of HWH must behave in a manner that will not bring themselves or HWH into disrepute. Their behaviour must not cause embarrassment to or disadvantage a client.

Procedures

Any Worker engaged in providing services on behalf of HWH will have access to this policy in the Care Team documents. They will be made aware of the policy as part of their induction and informed that compliance with the policy is a condition of appointment.

They should also be informed of the requirement to complete a Code of Ethical Behaviour Declaration and, in some circumstances, to declare their financial interests as part of this policy.

Personal interest occurs when either a Worker engaged in providing services or their spouse or partner or a member of the Worker's immediate family or a close associate:
  • has a financial interest in a business providing services to HWH
  • has personal knowledge of or involvement with a person contracted to perform services for payment by HWH. 
  • Reporting Unethical Behaviour
If a person believes that the behaviour of any Worker engaged in providing services on behalf of HWH is unethical, they must immediately report it to their Manager/Supervisor.

Unethical behaviour is defined as:
  • workplace behaviour that is contrary to this code
  • workplace behaviour that violates any law, or is corrupt conduct or misconduct
  • mismanagement of resources or fraudulent behaviour
  • behaviour that creates a danger to public health, safety or the environment
  • behaviour that restricts clients' rights to be treated with dignity and respect, have freedom of expression, choice and control, and privacy is free from discrimination.

Breaches of this Policy

A breach of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Ignorance of these procedures will not generally be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance. Only in extreme circumstances and where such ignorance can be demonstrated to have occurred through no fault of the individual concerned will HWH accept such an argument.

Distribution and Review

HWH will ensure that all persons engaged in providing services will be aware of this policy and have easy access to it (mobile). All policies are to be reviewed periodically or when other circumstances dictate.

Related Legislation
  • Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) 
  • Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)   
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)  
  • Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)   
  • Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth)    
  • Children's Protection Act 1993
  • Equal Opportunity Act 1984 
  • Health and Community Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC) - Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners.
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (Code of Conduct) Rules 2018, rule changes in 2021
  • National Standards for Disability Services
  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
  • Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Act, No. 12, 2017 (Cth) 
  • Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 
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