Code of Ethics/Practice Standards
Revised March 1998
Overview: The Code at a Glance
Ethical Statements and Practice Standards
INTRODUCTION TO THE REVISED BCFFPA CODE OF ETHICS
The BCFFPA Code of Ethics, Practice Standards and Peer Review
Guidelines document was first adopted by the membership at the 1996 AGM
after 11 years of development.
The BCFFPA Code of Ethics is a living document that has developed
over time to bring greater clarity, greater integration between the
ethical statements and practice standards, and to ensure that the Code
address all aspects of relationships caregiver find themselves in.
- What is a Code of Ethics?
- Ethics, simply put, means doing the right thing. We
do the right thing when we take a course of action that minimizes the
degree of harm to individuals or groups.
- A code of Ethics is an expression of the values of an occupational group, and the principles that guide members' actions.
- Values are what we hold to be important.
- Ethical statements are general statements of principle that members agree to uphold.
- Practice Standards provide specific guidelines for actions that follow from the ethical statement.
- An ethical dilemma arises in a situation that
brings two ethical statements into conflict with each other. Judgement
is often required to decide what course of action is most ethical in
relation to the principles.
What is the Purpose of a Code of Ethics?
A Code of Ethics serves the following purposes:
- Ethical statements and practice standards provide guidelines that
assist us in deciding what actions to take from an ethical viewpoint
- A Code of Ethics is the expression of values and principles of a
particular occupational group for its members and the general public.
It is an important element in the identity of a group
- A Code of Ethics permits the self-regulation of an occupational
group by providing a basis for developing practice standards and
eventually, for reviewing the actions of its members
- A Code of Ethics has educational value in assisting members to
develop their judgement in weighing alternative courses of action in
difficult situations
How does the Code of Ethics and Practice Standards Affect Members of the BCFFPA?
When members sign their membership applications, they indicate acceptance of the BCFFPA Code of Ethics and Practice Standards.
A process for peer review is the next stage of development. Peer
review is a complex function through which an occupational group
maintains accountability to the public by applying standards to its own
members. The goals of peer review are self-regulation by an
occupational group; the maintenance of standards and accountability;
and discipline with a view to educating the individual member and the
membership at large.
A process for reviewing the actions of peers needs to provide
fairness and due process for all participants. It needs to attend to
legalities. Training will be needed to implement peer review, once it
has been developed and accepted by the membership.
In the meantime, it will be important to assist members to become
familiar with the Code of Ethics and Practice Standards and how they
apply to fostering day-to-day.
Overview: The Code at a Glance
I. Commitment to the Foster Child and Birth Family
| Value |
Ethical Statement |
| Safety/ Nurturance |
I will provide a safe, nurturing environment conducive to the development of each foster child |
| Rights |
I will respect the Rights of Children in Care |
| Privacy |
I will respect the confidentiality of the child in care and the
birth family |
| Heritage/Kinship ties |
I will strive to support the cultural, and religious heritage of children in care; I will assist in maintaining kinship ties |
| Individuality |
I will recognize the individuality and uniqueness of each child |
II. Commitment to Professional Practices
| Value |
Ethical Statement |
| Team-work |
I will work collaboratively and strive for relationships based on dignity, integrity and mutual respect |
| Effectiveness |
I will support positive professional practices in the placement, planning and caring for children |
III. Commitment to the Fostering Profession
| Value |
Ethical Statement |
| Competence |
I will strive to be competent in my role as foster parent |
| Continuous improvement |
I will act to promote excellence in fostering |
| Professional Development |
I will participate in continuing education to maintain and develop my skills as a foster parent |
| Integrity |
I will not exploit my relationships within the profession, the association and the community for personal or financial gain |
| Respect |
I will base my relationships with my colleagues on dignity and mutual respect |
IV. Commitment to the Community
| Value |
Ethical Statement |
| Welfare of Children |
I will advocate for policies and services which will meet the needs of children, families and communities |
| Responsibility to the Community/Public Trust |
Recognizing the Public Trust placed in me as a foster
parent, I will provide a positive role model for children and birth
families in the community |
Ethical Statements and Practice Standards
I. Commitment to the Foster Child and Birth Family
I will provide a safe, nurturing environment conducive to the development of each foster child.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment that contributes to
the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of
children
- Provide a quality of food, shelter, clothing and health care which meets community standards
I will respect the Rights of Children in Care.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Uphold the Rights of the Child in Care as outlined in Part 4, Section 70 of the Child, Family and Community Services Act
- Consult the child in planning (age and development permitting);
inform the child of their plan of care and decisions that effect the
child
- Advocate for and participate in developing the child's plan of care
I will respect the confidentiality of the Child in Care and the birth family.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Refrain from exploiting the relationship with the child or birth parents for sexual, personal or financial gain
- Refrain from actions that discriminate against children in care and their families
I will strive to support the cultural and religious heritage of children in care; I will assist in maintaining kinship ties.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Support and encourage the child to preserve their cultural and religious heritage
- Accept children's choices to pursue or abstain from religious, cultural and linguistic activities
- Respond to the child's ethnic and cultural heritage in a respectful
manner showing an awareness of ethnic and cultural differences
I will recognize the individuality and uniqueness of each child.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Assist children in making their own choices regarding personal
belongings, grooming, selection of clothing, choice of leisure or
recreational activities within legal and safety limits
II. Commitment to Professional Practices
I will work collaboratively and strive for relationships based on dignity, integrity and mutual respect.
Practice Standards The foster Parent will:
- Inform all parties of basic expectations including hours of access to the home, family rules and routines
- When necessary inform other professional parties of rights, roles and responsibilities relating to children in care
- Share vital information about the child on a need-to-know basis
with other professionals; record information shared and with whom
- Raise issues and concerns regarding the actions of colleagues
through appropriate committees, channels and representatives and in
accordance with legislation and policy e.g., Duty to Report, Resolution
of Issues, Protocol for Investigating Allegations of Abuse &
Neglect, Peer Review Guidelines
I will support positive professional practices in the placement, planning and caring for children.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Consider the needs of my birth family in making decisions about taking in our retaining a child in the home
- Accept child placements only when the terms, policies and practices
permit the exercise of one's professional judgement and skills and only
when the agreed upon expectations meet the skills and experience
approved by my designation i.e. Regular, Level 1, etc.
- Negotiate and adhere to the terms of all contracts fairly and honestly and with respect to conditions of termination
- Manage and account for all moneys received under the Family Care
Rate; maintain an up-to-date record of all expenses relating to the
care of the child
- Keep records in accordance with ministry policy:
- reports as required by caregiver's contract
- daily log for each child
- Life Book for each child in care for more than 6 months
- basic information on each child, e.g. medical, school, professional contacts, historical background
lll. Commitment to the Fostering Profession and the Association
I will strive to be competent in my role as foster parent.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Know my personal limits and recognize the need for self-care;
accept no commitment that will impair the effectiveness of my service
- Decline or withdraw from service if time needed for development of
sufficient skills to care for a child poses risk to the child or
members of the household
I will promote excellence in fostering.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Preserve and enhance the dignity and integrity of fostering in one's work within the association and the community
I will participate in continuing education to maintain and develop my skills as a foster parent.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Recognize the need for lifelong learning based on self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses
- Participate in education or training as specified in BCFFPA
training criteria, (currently 6 hours per year) to develop, maintain
and update skills
I will not exploit my relationship within the profession, the association an the community for personal or financial gain.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Permit no exploitation of one's professional position for gain or benefit in other contexts
- Ensure that outside interests do not interfere with professional judgement
- Recognize the potential for both actual and perceived conflict of
interest where dual relationships exist with organizations, colleagues
or families
- Disclose a conflict where one exists and remove one's self from discussion and voting
- Accept no gifts or gratuities of significance that my potentially
influence one's judgement in the exercise of professional duties
I will base my relationships with colleagues on dignity and mutual respect.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Respectfully and accurately represent the views of colleagues
- Base views on personal observations and accurate presentation of the facts
- Use appropriate channels to express opinions, concerns and other responses
- Demonstrate respect in one's interactions with colleagues
regardless of ability, culture, gender, socio-economic status, sexual
orientation, race and religion
- Show no tolerance for behavior that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual
IV. Commitment to the Community
I will advocate for policies and services which will meet the needs of children, families and communities.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Identify barriers to services and gaps in services, direct
recommendations for new or improved services through appropriate
channels
- Attend community and service provider forums when possible to do so
In recognition of the public trust placed in me as a foster
parent I will provide a positive role model for children and birth families in the community.
Practice Standards The foster parent will:
- Demonstrate a nurturing, caring role towards children and birth families
- Conduct my personal life in a manner that does not compromise my
professional responsibilities or diminish the public trust in foster
care
