Confidentiality

The service shall not reveal the names of clients of the service nor details of their individual situation without the permission of the client, and then only as relevant. Staff and volunteers shall regard this rule as binding both whilst they work for the service and after they cease to do so.

Privacy

The service shall at all times aim to maintain the privacy of the client, maintaining an environment that minimises the emotional cost to the client.

Self Determination of the Client

The service shall respect and encourage the right of clients to make their own decisions. Wherever possible, CAB staff shall offer the client alternative courses of action.

Prejudice

Staff and volunteers shall respect the individuality of the client and as far as possible be aware of their own attitudes so that they will not be discriminating or prejudiced in their dealings with clients.

Advocacy

Staff and volunteers shall whenever necessary take action to ensure that clients receive the support and/or information they need. It is appropriate that the CAB, with discretion and in an empowering manner, provide low-key advocacy, intervention and representation on behalf of a client only after obtaining their permission to do so. However, it must be understood that this cannot be done in a manner that is contradictory to this Code of Ethics or beyond the capacity of the CABs day-to-day operation.

Referrals

This service shall not provide any information or advice which could be more appropriately supplied by a specialist service.

Anonymity

Staff and volunteers should at all times try to preserve their own anonymity in relation to clients.

Operational Standards

Staff and volunteers shall operate in accordance with CAB policies and shall endeavour to maintain a high standard of sensitivity, efficiency and integrity.

Financial Matters

Staff and volunteers shall not accept remuneration from clients, nor provide material or financial assistance to clients from their own resources. An official receipt must be issued for all donations to the service.

Duty of Care — Appropriate Provision of Information

Staff and volunteers shall endeavour to provide appropriate information with the goal that the information provided is not deliberately misleading or designed to impede of harm the client in any way.

Duty of Care — Safety

The CAB shall endeavour to provide appropriate duty of care for all those people who fall within its immediate sphere of influence, including the maintenance of a safe working environment, adequate training and backup for both staff and volunteers.