CASC/ACSS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007
HISTORY OF CASC/ACSS 2 Supervised Pastoral Education began in the U.S. in the 1920’s under Anton Boison Canadian Association for Pastoral Education (CAPE) – early 1970’s CAPE changed to Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE) in mid 1990’s
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 HISTORY CONT… 3 CAPPE was renamed the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) in 2010 Approximately 750 members across Canada 239 certified 39 SPE Centres The national certifying body for Supervisors and Specialists in pastoral care and pastoral counseling
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 HISTORY CONT… First Code of Ethics was approved a common Code of Ethics was developed by representatives from six professional associations across N. America Our 2006 Code of Ethics was further developed by a subcommittee of these representatives who were members of the National Ethics Committee
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 PURPOSE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM 5 Foster the values of CASC/ACSS Raise awareness of the ethical principles within our code Create an ethically aware culture Promote a responsible and sensitive regard for persons Support practice
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICS – WHAT IS IT? Beliefs we hold about what constitutes appropriate conduct The way human beings treat each other Involves a systematic investigation of our attitudes and behaviours 6
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS? 7 A formulation of universal principles of human conduct made specific to a profession
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHAT IS A PROFESSION? 8 A profession is a vocation requiring advanced training in a liberal art or science. It is a collective of persons engaged in a highly specialized work or vocation.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 THE PURPOSE OF A PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS It is important and valuable to formulate some kind of professional ethics code so that both the members of the profession, their colleagues, and those clients whom they serve may be clear about the ethical demands of the relationship into which such service introduces them. 9
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL CODES Guide professionals in thinking, planning, everyday conduct and in navigation of ethical dilemmas Serve as an umbrella document for the development of the codes of conduct or other more specific codes Assist in the adjudication of complaints against professionals Educate professionals about sound ethical conduct Provide a mechanism for professional accountability 10
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL CULTURE Is created when a professional group decides to adopt and integrate its code of ethics into its attitudes and behaviours It requires knowledge of oneself, including one’s own values and morality 11
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 CASC/ACSS’S CODE OF ETHICS IS DIVIDED INTO 4 SECTIONS: 12 Section 1 – The Purpose of the Code Section 2 – Preamble emphasizing who we are and the self-care required for healthy reflective practice (which cannot be mandated) Section 3 – Our Values Section 4: Ethical Principles guiding the Members’ professional behaviour within 8 specific relationships
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SECTION 1: PURPOSE OF THE CODE 13 The Code of Ethics for Spiritual Care Professionals: gives expression to the basic values and standards of the profession; guides decision making and professional behavior; provides a mechanism for professional accountability; and informs the public as to what they should expect from Spiritual Care Professionals.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SECTION 2: PREAMBLE 14 CASC/ACSS gathers together Spiritual Care Professionals who are grounded in communities of faith and informed by professional education and training. They are called to nurture their personal health of mind, body and spirit and be responsible for their personal and professional conduct as they grow in their respect for all living beings and the natural environment. When Spiritual Care Professionals behave in a manner congruent with the values of this code of ethics, they bring greater justice, compassion and healing to our world.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SECTION 3: OUR VALUES 15 As Spiritual Care Professionals: 1. Affirm dignity and value of all 2. Respect all faith groups 3. Respect human rights 4. Respect diversity 5. Encourage professional accountability 6. Protect clients from predatory/destructive relationships
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SECTION 4: THE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Ethical Principles in Relationships with Clients 2. Ethical Principles in Relationships between Supervisors/Educators and Students 3. Ethical Principles in Relationships with Social Institutions 4. Ethical Principles in Relationships with other Professionals and the Community
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SECTION 4: THE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CONT… Ethical Principles in Relationships with Colleagues 6. Ethical Principles in Advertising 7. Ethical Principles in Research 8. Ethical Principles in Relationship to CASC/ACSS
Copyright CACS/ACSS SECTION 3: OUR VALUES As Spiritual Care Professionals: 1. Affirm dignity and value of all 2. Respect all faith groups 3. Respect human rights 4. Respect diversity 5. Encourage professional accountability 6. Protect clients from predatory/destructive relationships
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 VALUING OTHERS BEGINS WITH VALUING ONE-SELF 19 As professional chaplains we commit ourselves to attend to our own spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual needs outside the work context thereby freeing ourselves to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationship boundaries within the work context.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE 20 Stress-filled profession Need for balance - a realistic workload Rest and relaxation to avoid burnout Supports ethical conduct Helps to establish healthy boundaries
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 BOUNDARY INDEX 21 A Boundary Index Exercise will assist us in examining our own boundaries and possibly point to areas of tension.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES 22 Objectives: Define Professional Boundaries Reflect on the Purpose of Boundaries Develop guidelines for establishing healthy boundaries Reflect on boundary case studies
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES 23 Framework for relationship between spiritual care professional and clients Includes dress, demeanor, body language, content, tone of voice, language, length and time of sessions, personal disclosure, limits regarding touch, the general tone of the relationship and professional fee structure Line between client and our professional selves Primary concern is the best interest of the client
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 Make the relationship professional and safe for the client Help us with self-definition Allows for genuine relationships Protects both sides in power imbalance PURPOSE OF BOUNDARIES 24
Copyright CACS/ACSS DEVELOPING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHO ESTABLISHES THE BOUNDARIES? The Spiritual Care Professional 26
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHO IS THE CLIENT? 27 Spiritual Care professionals understand “clients” to be any counselees, congregants, prisoners, patients and their family members, students or staff to whom they provide.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 AN INHERENT POWER IMBALANCE ARISES FROM: 28 The client’s trust The spiritual care professional’s expertise to help The client’s disclosure of personal information
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 TRUST IS DEFINED AS: 29 Faith or confidence in the loyalty, veracity, reliability, strength, etc. of a person or thing The state or condition of being trusted or relied on The obligation or responsibility placed on a person who is trusted or relied on (he or she is in a position of trust)
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHERE BOUNDARIES CAN BECOME BLURRED 30 Self Disclosure: Does self-disclosure shift the focus from the client? Does it serve the therapeutic goal of the client?
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 BLURRED BOUNDARIES CONT… 31 Giving or Receiving Gifts Multiple Relationships Overlapping Relationships
Copyright CACS/ACSS “Spiritual Care professionals respect the integrity of their employees or students using the power they have as managers/directors or supervisors/educators in responsible ways.” CASC/ACSS Code of Ethics 2009 under Ethical Principles in Relationship between Supervisors/Educators and Staff/Students BLURRED BOUNDARIES CONT…
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 CONFIDENTIALITY 33 Objectives: Define confidentiality Reflect on importance of confidentiality Define guidelines for maintaining confidentiality Discuss a case study
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY? The keeping private of information, whether written or spoken Information may be of an intimate nature Information may be told in confidence or in trust that it be kept secret 34
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 HOW DO BREACHES IN CONFIDENTIALITY HAPPEN? 35
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 SAFEGUARDING PRIVACY Privacy Act Maintain trust of clients 36
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 COMPETENCE 37 Objectives: Consider the meaning of competence and what it means to be accountable Review the CASC/ACSS Standards of Practice Examine ways to improve our competence Discuss case studies
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 COMPETENCE 38 Defined as: Ability; the state of being competent Competent Adequately qualified or capable Effective
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND THE COMMUNITY 39 Spiritual Care Professionals are accountable to the public, faith communities, employers and professionals in all professional relationships.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE 40 Values Professional Competence Functions Documentation Personal and Professional Development Advocacy
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ACCOUNTABLE? 41 Being trustworthy The ability to act independently and make decisions Responsible for one’s conduct
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 42 Spiritual Care Professionals are accountable to their faith communities, one another and other organizations.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 RESPECT 43 Objectives: Define Respect Reflect on the importance of respect in ministry Examine our own biases that hinder our respecting others Discuss a case study
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 DEFINITIONS OF RESPECT 44 Noun: Deferential esteem felt or shown towards a person, thing or quality Verb: Regard with deference, esteem or honour 1.avoid interfering with, harming, degrading, insulting, injuring or interrupting 2.treat with consideration 3.refrain from offending, corrupting or tempting a person or a person’s feelings
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH COLLEAGUES 45 Spiritual Care Professionals engage in collegial relationships with peers, other chaplains, local clergy and counsellors, recognizing that perspective and judgement are maintained through consultative interactions rather than through isolation.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 HONESTY OBJECTIVES 46 Define Honesty Reflect on honesty as a significant quality in ministry Consider whether honesty is always the best policy Examine the relationship between honesty and trust Discuss a case study
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 HONESTY IS DEFINED AS… 47 Fair and just in character or behaviour Free of deceit, acting in an honourable and life-giving way Showing fairness
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN ADVERTISING 48 Spiritual Care Professionals engage in appropriate informational activities that educate the public about their professional qualifications and individual scopes of practice.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 EXAMPLES OF HONESTY 49 Reporting of criminal convictions Truth in Advertising Transparent Approach to Research
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RESEARCH 50 Spiritual Care Professionals engaging in research follow guidelines and applicable laws that strive to protect the dignity, privacy and well-being of all participants.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 DISCUSS… WHY YOU THINK HONESTY IS AN IMPORTANT QUALITY IN SPIRITUAL CARE 51
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIP TO CASC/ACSS 52 Spiritual Care Professionals within CASC/ACSS maintain the highest possible standards of trust in relationship to one another in the interest of the public whom they serve.
Copyright CACS/ACSS 2007 THE END 53 This has been prepared for the use of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care by the CASC/ACSS Atlantic Ethics Committee and approved by the CASC/ACSS National Ethics Committee for use in workshops by trained facilitators. Images in this presentation have been used in accordance with Microsoft’s Service Agreement and Code of Conduct Edited by Mary McIllwraith and Heather Embree for Code of Ethics Adopted in February 2006 Updated by CASC/ACSS National Ethics Committee April 2010