Parent Support Services Society – Code of Ethics

• PSS embraces the principles contained in the BC Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights. Relationships are based on an understanding of the equal worth of all human beings and on respect for individual difference. At no time will the employer, employee, or volunteer discriminate against each other or any client, participant or resident on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, appearance, source or level of income, level of education.
• Volunteers and paid staff shall perform their work with a high level of skill, competence, and accountability.
• All work and actions and interactions shall be carried out with integrity and objectivity. Integrity includes fairness, honesty, openness, respect and precludes conflict of interest.
• All work with program participants or anyone seeking our assistance is based on their individual’s right to self-determination and choice. The best interest of the person or group is our primary professional obligation.
• Staff and volunteers shall not exploit any relationship or knowledge gained through involvement with PSS for personal gain or benefit.
• Strict confidentiality shall be maintained at all times and applies to all participants, paid workers and volunteers. Confidential information may only be disclosed when required by law to do so or when informed consent to disclosure has been provided.
• PSS accepts that working for social justice and social change are part of an ethical commitment. Social responsibility involves identifying need or injustice and where feasible, taking steps to address situation where abuse, human suffering, discrimination or oppression occurs within and outside the work place.
• PSS recognizes the reality of power imbalance in society and commits to making every effort to equalize power in all dealings. Power imbalances will be acknowledged and address.
• PSS is committed individual and systemic advocacy that builds on the elements of rights, information, voice and inclusion. Advocacy is respected and endorsed as a healthy and legitimate activity and essential part of good professional practice.
• Staff and volunteers shall take direct, immediate, and appropriate action to resolve personal professional, and ethical conflicts.
• PSS is committed to the Code of Ethics of the BC Association of Social Workers.

Our mission is to protect the safety and wellbeing of children and promote the health of all families by partnering with those in a parenting role and their communities to build support, advocacy, education, research, and resources.

To realize our vision and mission we create opportunities for parents and grandparents that foster independence and personal responsibility, and by creating cost-effective and comprehensive community-based services in cooperation with public and private partners. Our staff is dedicated to providing these services with respect, compassion, and accountability, and to championing the Canadian Charter of Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We support families and their rights in this way because we value inclusion, social justice, and collaboration. We believe that, when we work together and learn from each other, these values can transform conflict into understanding; that understanding can transform hurt-filled households into healthy homes; and that healthy families can transform unjust societies into strong communities. That is why, at PSS, our goal is to build healthy communities, one family at a time.