KDSCL has established Codes of Ethics to guide the actions of our staff and board members, as well as the how people receiving services are treated.

Each new staff and board member must review and sign the code. Staff members who violate the code may face corrective action. Board action may be taken with any board member who violates the Code of Ethics.

The core values that serve as roots for our Codes of Ethics are:

 PREAMBLE

KDSCL’s philosophy (ideas about the way support should be given) is based on the belief that every person has the right to make a life that leads to happiness and achievement of personal goals. 

Creating quality of life can involve:

1.  Having chances to try new things.

2.  Making your own choices.

3.  Being a part of the community you live in, belonging and feeling welcome.

4.  Controlling your own life.

5.  Having a purpose.

KDSCL believes in doing the following four things to help people create a quality life:

1.      Socialization: Getting together with other people.

2.      Empowerment: The power to make decisions.

3.      Inclusion: Be a part of the community, working, going to school, etc.

4.      Independence: doing as much for yourself as possible.

Definitions

“Code of Ethics”: Is a written list of guidelines given to KDSCL’s staff and volunteers to help them act according to KDSCL’s beliefs or ideas in trying to achieve its mission statement.

Staff or Employee: Is a worker paid by KDSCL.  This could be a union member, non-union staff or management.

Volunteer: Is someone who gives their time to KDSCL and is not paid.  This can be a Board Member or a volunteer who helps in the everyday work at KDSCL.

Financial: Means money and the things that are worth money.

POLICY

Employees, volunteers and Board Members must follow the KDSCL’s Code of Ethics. Employees sign the Code of Ethics form giving their word to follow the Code of Ethics. This paper is signed when employees are hired, and once per year in the month of January. Volunteers, including board members, sign the Code of Ethics form when they start a volunteer position and once a year in the month of September.

 KDSCL Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics starts with the following beliefs or ideas about how people involved with KDSCL should act:

1.      Show respect for yourself, each other and persons getting supports.

2.      Act in a spirit of compromise and agreement or reach a deal.  Each individual will hear and respect the other person’s point of view (outlook) and be open to helpful discussion (talk). Can involve give and take or meeting halfway.

3.      Be honest or truthful with everyone without being hurtful.

4.      Trust.  Each of us will be non-judgmental (understanding) of issues.  We will be helpful and able to respond to what people need.

As a staff or volunteer, the following will guide my actions with people who get supports from KDSCL, I will:

1. Treat individuals with courtesy (good manners), dignity (sense of worth) and respect. See the person and their abilities.

2.  Make sure people have as much control over what is happening in their lives as possible.

3.  Support people to use their skills to choose and offer many things to choose from. Giving important information and education helps make informed choices.

4.  Encourage and support self advocacy.

5.  Encourage self-respect, confidence and an understanding of human rights.

6.  Ask for the input (opinions) of each person served. 

7.  At all times respect (value) the legal rights of persons receiving services.

8.  Respect a person’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

9. Be aware of and change the barriers (difficulties or challenges) to accessibility that are in the agency.  Barriers can be getting into and using the buildings, attitudes that are not accepting and information that people cannot understand.

With Staff and Volunteers, I will:

1.      Treat others with respect, doing for and to others as I would have done for and to me in similar situations.

2.      Try my best to speak to everyone in a friendly, positive, enthusiastic, courteous (with good manners) way and show a positive attitude.

3.      Try my best to meet the needs of the persons we serve.

4.      Encourage the community to be accepting of all people. Encourage the people KDSCL supports to be an active part of the community.

5.      Give people the kind of support they want and need.

6.      Make a work place that values loyalty, trust and respect.  Do what I can to keep that type of work environment in place.

7.      Support a workplace that is open and non-secretive, yet private when required.

8.      Work as a team member and support my co-workers to doing their work.

9.      Respect (value) the cultural beliefs of all.

10. Make sure the work of each person is respected (valued) and recognized.

11. Supports the decisions (choices) of management and use the conflict resolution policy to fix problems.

12. Be loyal to the agency and avoid doing anything that might bring harm the reputation of the agency.

13.  Follow all laws and rules.

14. Look after KDSCL property and use it carefully, adhering to the Waste, Fraud and Corruption Policy of the Society.

15. Make every effort for personal and professional growth to improve how I do my work.

16. Carefully think about the public view of my personal and professional actions and the possible effect my actions may have on KDSCL’s reputation in my community and elsewhere.

17. Do my best to see that KDSCL is operated in a manner that supports the agency’s mission, follows its bylaws and earns the trust and support of the public.

18. Do nothing that could help me personally at the expense of KDSCL, avoiding even the appearance (look) of a conflict of interest.  This includes accepting gifts, money or loans from individuals we support and/or their families, entering into contractual relationships which could be perceived as a conflict of interest, selling or lending my personal property to individuals supported and/or their families, fund raising for personal causes, or witnessing legal or financial documents of individuals.

Financial Practices, I will:

Make sure all financial matters:

1.      Follow federal, provincial and local laws.

2.      Follow commonly accepted, sound accounting practices.

3.      Follow the society’s financial management policies, procedures and bylaws. 

Advertising and Promoting Activities, I will:

Make sure advertising:

1.      Always respects the dignity, rights and privacy of those receiving and providing services.

2.      Will never give the wrong impression about KDSCL.

3.      Will uphold the integrity (truth) of KDSCL so as to earn the continued support and trust of the public.

With Community Members, I will make sure:

1.      Community members (e.g. citizens, businesses, other agencies) are treated with respect and dignity.

2.      When community members ask for information it is given as soon as possible.

3.      Concerns or complaints from the community are looked into.

4.      Opinions from the community are asked for and the information received is used respectfully in improving services.

Breaking (doing something that goes against) the Code of Ethics

Any employee, volunteer or director who does something that goes against the Code of Ethics will be counselled or disciplined.  Retaliation (payback) against anyone reporting (telling) something that goes against the Code of Ethics is not allowed.  Anyone taking retaliation on someone will face discipline up to and possibly including termination.