Pathways

Child and Youth Services

By: Sara Galbraith, Catherine Harrison, Shelina Hassanali, Stephanie Janzen & Gerry Johnson
Task #3: Ethical Policy-Making Exercise
Ethical Organization
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 we are located
We are located in an urban area near public transportation. Our
office has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. We share our
office space, equipment, and supplies with another practitioner. The
office has a reception area and rooms for conferencing, testing,
counseling, and play therapy. We also have private offices for
psychologists. Our records are centrally located with locked,
fireproof filing cabinets.
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
To promote the well-being of children and their
families by providing them with the tools and services
for positive change.
Values Statement
We believe:
There is no failure - only opportunity for growth and change;
With the right tools, every child can reach his/her potential;
Collaboration between professionals, families
and communities is fundamental to
positive change;
Every child is unique and has the capacity to
achieve success.

Mission Statement
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Hiring Practices
Create a job description: including professional and personal profile with clear
duties and expectations;
Advertise through community media and professional organizations (Canadian
Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Code) (Canadian Psychology Association [CPA],
2000, Standards III.3, III.6);
Develop interview questions;
Interview candidates 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 (CPA, Standards I.37 ,I.39, I.41-I.47).

Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Policies & Procedures
Consent & Confidentiality
Informed consent for any services provided by the clinic will be obtained as
outlined by the Code (CPA, Standards I.16-I.19, I.21-I.27, I.29, I.30, I.32-I.45);
Sound machines for white noise to promote confidentiality;
Keys/access to filing cabinets are given only to those staff who
require access to them (CPA, Standard I.41).
Contribution to Society
Offer to do a portion of work (as determined by the staff) for clients for little or
no payment (pro bono) (CPA, Standard IV.12).
Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Policies and Procedures
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):
Engage in peer review with colleague (CPA, Standard IV.8);
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, cooperate with duly constituted committees of the
Association that are concerned with ethics and ethical conduct (CPA,
Preamble: Responsibilities of the Individual Psychologist).

Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Regular Meetings with Supervisor/Team
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 (CPA,
Standards IV 7-9);
In the case of an ethical dilemma/question, the Codes 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 (CPA, Standard I.45).

Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards
Continuing Professional Development
The clinic will provide all employees with ongoing professional development within the
agency (CPA, Standards IV.1-5);
The clinic will provide all employees with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops etc.
outside of the agency for the purposes of professional development (CPA, Standards IV.1-5);
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 (CPA, Standards
IV.1-5);
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. (CPA, Standards
IV.1-5);
All employees will undergo regular evaluation and review (CPA, Standards IV.6, IV.8, IV.9-11);
Clients will complete a Client Evaluation Survey so that we can identify areas
for improvement (CPA, Standards IV.8-10).


Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Good Practice & Promotion of High Standards
Fees
The clinic will have a fair fee schedule which is clearly described to each client via
oral and written communication (CPA, Standard III.14).
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.
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.

Above and beyond the Code, 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 Code, others
reflect the basic and unique requirements for this
agency.
Importantly, such expectations shall include standards
around professionalism . . .
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Employee Policies

Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Employee Policies
Only properly qualified and trained
individuals will be hired. Such
individuals will be registered with the
appropriate body and shall not
misrepresent their credentials (CPA,
Standard III.1).
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).
Avoid engaging in harmful behaviors
associated with workplace gossip,
harassment or discrimination (CPA,
Standards I.2, I.4, I.5).
Demonstrate a high degree of respect
towards others in the workplace,
including those with differing values,
perceptions and ideas (CPA, Standard
I.1).
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Employee Policies
Organizational skills: Employees will
maintain an organized and clean
workspace. They will keep clear
relevant and confidential
documentation as per Code (CPA,
Standard I.41) and will be able to
effectively prioritize items.
Appropriate attire: Employees shall
wear clean professional clothing,
suitable for counseling.
The ability to adequately address
conflict: Will approach others directly
and privately; will contact the
supervisor if the issue continues to
remain unresolved.
The ability to maintain professional
boundaries and avoid multiple
relationships: Employees will keep
appropriate boundaries with fellow
employees and clients (CPA, Standard
III.3).
Similar to other such standards within an agency, these policies are not
optional and any violation would form the 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 given a letter outlining expectations within the
workplace. In the event that such behaviors 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.
Pathways: Child and Youth Services
Employee Policies
Canadian Psychological Association (2000). Canadian code of
ethics for psychologists (3rd ed.). Ottawa, ON: Author.
Truscott, D., & Crook, K. H. (2004). Ethics for the practice of
psychology in Canada. Edmonton, AB: The University of Alberta
Press.
References