Ethics in Supervision

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• Ethics in Supervision

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Definitions of Ethics

• The discipline dealing with what is good and bad
  and with moral duty and obligation.
• The code of conduct or behavior governing an
  individual or group.
• The ideals , beliefs, or standards that
  characterize or pervade a group, community or
  people.

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Principle

• A comprehensive and fundamental rule, doctrine,
  or assumption.

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Moral

• Conforming to a standard of what is right and
  good.

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Ethical Principles

• Those fundamental rules of conduct which serve
  the common good.

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Ethical Supervision

• Principles of conduct which assist employees in
  the performance of their job duties and their
  professional development.

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Ethical Supervision

• Principles of conduct which demonstrate respect
  for the rights of others and genuine concern for
  the well being of children and parents served by
  the agency.

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Principals of Ethical Supervision

• Be truthful and make it safe for others to tell
  the truth.
• Support subordinate leaders professional growth
• Build their competence to assess situations and
  take the initiative to develop adaptive solutions.

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Principals of Ethical Supervision

• Mentor rather than intimidate subordinate leaders
• Require subordinate leaders to study their
  profession

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Principals of Ethical Supervision

• Use power in accordance with whats right.
• Nothing destroys trust in the chain of command so
  quickly as a leaders exploitation of
  institutional power to coerce a private gain from
  subordinates, be it sexual, financial, careerist
  or otherwise.

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Principals of Ethical Supervision

• Everyone watches the trustworthiness of those who
  wield power above them and this fishbowl
  factor is far-reaching

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Principals of Ethical Supervision

• Trust is the master concept that links cohesion,
  leadership, and training. In fact, they are the
  things that build trust.

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Power and Authority

• Inherent tensions in the work mandate to protect
  and provide for child safety while also engaging
  parents/families.
• Supervisors can be effective role models for
  their staff on ways to negotiate this tension.
• Specifically, this is an opportunity to
  demonstrate active engagement with staff while
  holding them accountable to meet performance
  expectations.

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Ethics Mandates and Guidelines

• RCW 42.52 Ethics in Public Service includes
  sections on activities incompatible with public
  duties, confidential information, financial
  interests in transactions, and use of persons,
  money or property for personal gain.
• RCW 9A.80.010 Official Misconduct defines
  official misconduct and states it is a gross
  misdemeanor.
• DSHS Administrative Policy 18.64 standards of
  Ethical Conduct for Employees includes sections
  on required standards of behavior and conduct,
  and specifically prohibited employee actions.
• Childrens Administration operations manual 8110
  Ethical Standards includes references to the
  above and accessing information only on a need
  to know basis.
• National Association of Social Workers Code of
  Ethics 23 pages divided into sections for
  ethical responsibilities to clients, to
  colleagues, in practice settings, as
  professionals, to the social work profession and
  to the broader society. NASW considers ethics as
  the core of social work.

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• If you have any questions, feel free to contact
  Michael Tyers at [phone] or at
  Tymi300_at_DSHS.WA.Gov