Task # 3: Ethical Policy-Making Exercise

Ethical Organization
Check Point
Child and Youth Services
By: Sara Galbraith
Catherine Harrison
Shelina Hassanali
Stephanie Janzen
Gerald Johnson
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
What we do
We provide individual assessment, intervention and counseling
services for children from ages 4-18 in learning, behavior, social
and emotional development. We offer family support and
coordinate intervention services. We work with schools, other
agencies, and community to support the needs of children. We
offer short and long term follow up to ensure each childs
success.

Where are located?
We are located in an urban area. We share rented office space
with another practitioner that has ample parking, is very close to
public transportation, and is wheelchair accessible. Our
reception, office equipment, and supplies are shared. We have
a reception area, conferencing area, testing room, counseling
room, and a play therapy room. We also have private offices for
psychologists. Our records are centrally located with locked,
fireproof filing cabinets.
Mission Statement
To promote the well-being of children and their
families by providing them with the tools and services
to achieve positive change.
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Values Statement
We believe:
There are no failures, only opportunities for growth and
change;
With the right tools, every child can reach his/her potential;
Collaboration between professionals, families and
communities is fundamental in creating positive change;
Every child is unique has the capacity to achieve success.

Hiring Practices
Create a job description: including professional and personal profile with clear duties and
expectations;
Advertise through community media and professional organizations;
Develop interview questions;
Interview with a colleague if possible;
Check references, criminal record information, and confirmation of registration with
appropriate vocational and/or professional college;
After hiring, provide a formal orientation including full discussion of privacy and confidentiality,
including a signed agreement regarding the maintenance of such information.

Professional Development & Supervision to Uphold Performance Standards
Weekly meetings;
Client Evaluation Survey;
Regular professional development with the aim to 1) develop professionally, and 2) stay
current;
Regular evaluation and review.
Policies and Procedures
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Policy for dealing with complaints from clients
When a complaint surfaces, the ethical decision-making model should be
initiated (if it has not already been done so).
Treat the client with respect and dignity;
If possible, talk one-on-one with your client. If still unresolved, ask client to
submit a written complaint. Follow up with a written response;
If necessary, solve with the aid of a mediator
If still unresolved, act with (need code)

Policies and Procedures contd . . .
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Consent & Confidentiality
Informed consent for any services provided by the clinic will be obtained as outline by
the CPA Section 1.19-1.26;
Sound machines for white noise to promote confidentiality;
Keys/access to filing cabinets are given only to those staff who require access to them.
(Section 1.41)

Regular meetings with Supervisor/Team (Section 2.8)
Employees will have regular meetings with their supervisor in order to promote good
practice and uphold a high standard of quality services to all clients. Items to be
discussed will vary and can include case conceptualization, advising on ethical
dilemmas, current caseload and any changes which need to be made to the caseload
to ensure optimal service;
In the case of an ethical dilemma/question, the Ethical Decision Making Process will be
implemented and the employee will consult with a supervisor as appropriate;
Supervisors will be available for consultation on a set schedule every week to ensure
proper access to consultation as needed;
Case conceptualization meetings will be held as needed in certain cases where the
input of the team will be helpful to provide the best service to the client. Identifying
information will not be shared at these meetings. (Section 1.45)

Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards
Continuing Profession Development (2.8 of the CPA Code of Ethics for Psychologists)
The clinic will provide all employees with ongoing professional development within the agency;
The clinic will provide all employees with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops etc. outside
of the agency for the purposes of professional development;
All employees will be expected to keep themselves updated with new research, interventions,
programs, etc. in their field of practice and in the general field of psychology;
All employees will be encouraged to share their learning and knowledge with colleagues at this
clinic as well as with others in the field and community as appropriate. (Section 4.4)

Clear Access to Policies and Information for Clients
A document/pamphlet outlining important clinic information (business name, address, contact
information, hours) as well as other pertinent information(policies re: confidentiality, fees,
responsibilities of the client etc.) should be provided to each client as well as readily
available/clearly posted at the clinic.

Fees (Section 3.14)
The clinic will have a fair fee schedule which is clearly described to each client via oral and written
communication
The fee schedule will be clearly posted/available in the clinic
The availability of any payment plan or insurance-related information will be clearly described to all
clients.
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards contd . . .
Employee Policies
Above and beyond the Canadian Psychological
Associate Code of Ethics (CPA), employees shall also
follow an agency code of conduct which provides a
set of basic expectations. While some of these
standards parallel standards within the CPA Code of
Ethics, others reflect the basic and unique
requirements for this agency.

Importantly, such expectations shall include standards
around professionalism . . .
Check Point: Child and Youth Services

Employee Policies
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
Only properly qualified and
trained individuals will be hired.
Such individuals will be registered
with the appropriate body, and
shall not misrepresent their
credentials. (principle III, III.I, CPA)
Demonstrate a high degree
of respect towards others in
the workplace, including
those with differing values,
perceptions and ideas.
(Principle I, I.I, CAP)
The ability to adequately
address conflict:
approaching the individual
directly and privately, and
approaching the supervisor
if the issue continues to
remain unresolved.
Avoid engaging in
harmful behaviors
associated with
workplace gossip,
harassment or
discrimination. (Principle
I, I.2, I.4, I.5 CPA)
Timeliness: Employees
shall arrive to work on
time, and leave no
earlier than the
designated time. When
vacation is needed,
adequate notice shall
be given
(approximately one
month).
Organization skills: employees will maintain an
organized and clean workspace. They will
keel clear relevant and confidential
documentation (Principal I, I.4I CPA) and will
be able to effectively prioritize items.
Appropriate attire: employees shall
wear clean and non-tattered clothing,
which is professional looking and
suitable for the nature of counseling.
The ability to maintain
professional boundaries and
avoid multiple relationships:
Employees will keep
appropriate boundaries with
fellow employees and clients.
(Principle III, III.3 CPA)
Similar to other such standards within an agency, these are non-
optional, non-aspirational, and non-trivial to the extend that any
violation is basis for formal disciplinary action (Truscott & Crook,
2004). In the event that such expectations are not followed,
employees will be advised via a meeting with the supervisor, as
well as provided with a letter outlining expectations within the
workplace. In the event that such behaviors further continue,
employees may be formally reprimanded.

The agency shall be responsible for accommodating employees
with varying disabilities, and shall provide workers compensation
coverage in the event of an accident or injury.

The agency will provide benefits for employees, and will
encourage and endorse the seeking of personal counseling
support for each employees if such a need arises.
Employee Policies
Check Point: Child and Youth Services
References