Ethics of care does not provide you with answers for every situation. Instead, it gives you a framework to think about situations you may find yourself in, on any given day at your workplace. Working within an ethical framework is important as you go about your daily routine. It is always helpful to be mindful of your legal and ethical responsibilities at all times and to ensure you report or discuss any difficulties to your supervisor.
Let's consider some key areas of which you need to be aware of as you undertake your role:
Person-centred care
Focus on supporting the service user’s needs. Ask questions to determine what they would like, rather than what you think they need. Remember, not all communication is expressed through conversation, so look for other visual and non-verbal cues to identify what they really want.
Read more about person-centred care in the following sub-chapter.
False assumptions
Try to avoid accepting the many false assumptions about people living with a disability. Some false assumptions are:
- All disabilities are obvious
- People with disabilities need to do what they are told
- They don’t know what’s best for them
- One size fits all for aged and disability service users
- People with disabilities and older people can’t do anything for themselves
- You have to protect them from everything, including themselves
- They need constant care
- They can’t adapt to new things
- They can’t develop new skills such as using mobile phones or computers
- They do not have sex lives
- They should not have sex lives
- They all have mental impairments
- They are unproductive, so they should appreciate everything you do
- They are directing their behaviour at you personally
Self-reflection
When providing support/care to a service user, ask yourself the following questions:
- How is your mood? Are you disrespectful, rude, impolite or aggressive?
- Are you imposing your beliefs and values (such as those based on religion, race, gender, sexuality, ageism or ableism) on them, or respecting theirs? Are you making decisions based on what is easiest for you?
- Are you assuming you know what’s best for the service user?
- Is your body language disrespectful, uninterested or aggressive?
You cannot completely understand the different meanings of small but important words and gestures in every cultural and ethnic group, but be aware that you may be unintentionally doing something that could upset the service user.
