Professional Practice Series

Australian Community Work Practice Guidelines

In writing a set of practice guidelines, the All community workers, regardless of qualification,
industry experience or specialisation, need to demonstrate
Australian Community Workers Association throughout their career that they meet a recognised and
ethical standard of practice, which protects the client, the
it holds its members accountable. These community, and the practitioner.
guidelines, however, are relevant to all These practice guidelines are underpinned by a code of
community work practitioners including ethics, and it is within this ethical framework that exemplary
community work practice occurs.
those involved in intake, support, case work,
crisis intervention, team management, Values underpinning ethical practice
community development and advocacy Like all other professions, community work is shaped by a
roles. The guidelines have been developed code of ethics and a set of values that guide the qualified
practitioner. For the community worker, a commitment to
in consultation with practitioners, industry social inclusion and social justice is fundamental to their
partners and education providers, and practice, along with a respect for the individual and his or
exemplify what is considered good practice her right to self-determination.
in the sector. How to use the guidelines
These guidelines, along with their indicators, have been
written to provide a framework for community work
practice. Originally conceived as standards, the new
guidelines expand upon the Australian Community Workers
Code of Ethics and provide a benchmark for experienced
practitioners, as well as a guide for new community
workers entering the profession. The guidelines are not
intended to conflict with the requirements of an employing
organisation but they do set out a minimum acceptable
standard. The guidelines are written in such a way that
practitioners can assess themselves against the indicators
and plan their professional development accordingly.
The guidelines Guideline 2 Provision of services and supports
Guideline 1 Ethical practice A community work practitioner should base her or his
professional practice on the theory of community work
Guideline 2 Provision of service and supports and the principle that individuals, families, groups and
communities have a fundamental human right to access
Guideline 3 Confidentiality in the workplace
appropriate services and support.
Guideline 4 The regulatory framework
Indicators
Guideline 5 Diversity To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
work practitioner will be required to:
Guideline 6 The workplace
2.1 Provide services that meet the needs of individuals
Guideline 7 Professional development
and communities and facilitate their right to social
Guideline 8 Professional standing inclusion or social justice.
2.2 Encourage service users to actively provide feedback
Guideline 1 Ethical practice on the effectiveness or otherwise of services.
A community work practitioner, in providing services to 2.3 Routinely advise service users of their right to
individuals and communities, should work in accordance complain and how to access the organisation’s
with a code of ethics and in agreement with the principles of complaints policy.
individual worth and the individual’s right to social inclusion.
2.4 Ensure that they do not discriminate against or in
Indicators any way disadvantage a service user who has made
a complaint.
To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
work practitioner will be required to: 2.5 Use appropriate research, planning and evaluation
methodologies when providing community and
1.1 Apply the principles of social justice, equity, individual human services.
worth, human dignity and self-determination in all
2.6 Facilitate effective outcomes by routinely monitoring,
day to day professional practice.
evaluating and improving upon services, programs
1.2 Practice ethical behaviour in every situation in and projects.
accordance with the Australian Community Workers
2.7 Retain currency in theory and practice to underpin all
Code of ethics.
service provision.
1.3 Seek advice, if required, when confronted with an
2.8 Advocate for service users and needed services.
ethical dilemma.
2.9 Recognise the sometimes imbalance of power
1.4 Challenge policies and practices that are unjust
between themselves and service users and take care
or fail to meet accepted community standards
to not abuse that authority.
such as human and legal rights, social inclusion
and self-determination.
Guideline 3
1.5 Reflect on personal beliefs and values and identify
A community work practitioner should understand and
those that might impact on the rights of others.
comply with all legislation and guidelines that provide for
1.6 Base relationships with service users or groups on the confidentiality and privacy of service users, colleagues
principles of respect and human dignity regardless of and employers.
a service user’s own attitudes or behaviour.
Indicators
1.7 Identify and appropriately address ethical issues,
such as breaches of confidentiality, privacy, and To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
professional boundaries that may occur when using work practitioner will be required to:
online tools for service provision.
3.1 Be familiar with the relevant legislation and the
1.8 Use resources and public monies responsibly and for organisational policies relating to confidentiality
their specified purpose. and privacy.
1.9 Use knowledge and skills for the benefit of the 3.2 Inform service users as to who has access to his or her
service user, the employing organisation and the file and under what circumstances the information
common good. contained therein is or may be shared.
3.3 Provide service users with access to their own files and
make them aware of the process to record or amend
any representation, notation or omission with which
they disagree.
3.4 Protect a service user’s privacy through secure record
keeping.

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3.5 Seek informed consent from service users before any Guideline 5
confidential information is shared, unless required
A community worker works within diverse communities and
by law.
should demonstrate in all of her or his professional practice
3.6 Advocate for non-disclosure of confidential an understanding and sensitivity to diversity in all forms and
information where a practitioner believes that her or his compliance with all relevant legislation.
disclosure would adversely affect a service user.
Indicators
3.7 Provide privacy to service users who wish to discuss
sensitive matters. To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
work practitioner will be required to:
3.8 Destroy obsolete confidential information or records
in a secure manner. 5.1 Respond appropriately to diversity in all its forms.
3.9 Apply the principles of confidentiality to information 5.2 Acknowledge and promote the rights of culturally and
that pertains to colleagues and employers. other diverse groups.
3.10 Remind colleagues, who disclose confidential 5.3 Challenge organisational behaviours and services
information, of their obligations under the various that discriminate on the basis of individual or group
legislation and policy requirements that govern characteristics including ability, age, beliefs, economic,
the workplace. employment and housing status, ethnicity, faith,
gender and gender identity, and sexuality.
Guideline 4
5.4 Recognise personal values and bias and takes steps
A community work practitioner often works within complex to safeguard against any adverse impact these might
organisational structures governed by legislation or statute. have on a service user’s right to a service. Recognise
The practitioner must, therefore, understand the sometimes and declare conflicts of interest
seemingly contradictory frameworks that impact either on
service provision or the service users with whom they work. 5.5 Gain information from relevant individuals and
Indigenous and culturally diverse communities
Indicators to ensure professional practice, policy, or service
development is appropriate to community and service
To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
user needs.
work practitioner will be required to:
5.6 Engage in individual and collaborative knowledge
4.1 Comply with legislation and statutory provisions, building to ensure professional practice with culturally
for example, mandatory reporting, which affect or otherwise diverse or minority groups is appropriate
professional practice. and effective.
4.2 Alert their employer of relevant legislation not 5.7 Adapt communication means and methods to
observed by the organisation. effectively connect with a diverse range of people.
4.3 Deal with service-user information in accordance 5.8 Use culturally appropriate verbal and non-verbal
with the principles and requirements of legislation communication when engaging with individuals and
including that which governs privacy, confidentiality community members.
and freedom of information.
4.4 Work within the legal limitations around the right Guideline 6
to confidentiality. A community work practitioner rarely works alone and
4.5 Inform service users about the legal limitations to their should treat her or his workplace with respect and take
right to confidentiality and privacy. personal responsibility to ensure that it is a productive, safe
and healthy environment within which they, service users,
4.6 Ensure information systems relating to service users,
colleagues or residents can work or live.
resources, programs and projects are in place, and
kept in accordance with legislation and organisational Indicators
policy and procedural requirements.
To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
4.7 Ensure that the fundamental human rights of an work practitioner will be required to:
individual are not impinged through the misuse of
authority granted through law. 6.1 Understand and respect the nature and context of the
workplace, which may also be the residence or home
4.8 Understand which pieces of legislation govern
of service users.
organisational behaviours, for example, workplace
health and safety, and inform the service user group 6.2 Continually develop and use knowledge and skills
wherever necessary. within the workplace for the benefit of service users,
colleagues and employers.
6.3 Maintain professional boundaries with service users
and colleagues.

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6.4 Acknowledge and protect confidential, sensitive or Guideline 8 Professional standing
commercially valuable workplace information and
Community work practitioners not only represent the
intellectual property.
interests of service users and employers but are also
6.5 Treat colleagues with respect, honesty and consideration. representatives of the community work profession.
6.6 Deal with conflict in a timely manner. Community workers should therefore, practice with integrity
and not engage in any behaviour that brings the profession
6.7 Report discriminatory, bullying or otherwise adverse
or other practitioners into disrepute.
behaviour by a colleague toward clients or another
staff person. Indicators
6.8 Recognise and act upon individual responsibility for To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
workplace health and safety. work practitioner will be required to:
6.9 Understand and implement organisational policy
8.1 Know, understand and work within the ethical norms
and procedures.
of the profession.
6.10 Take up any areas of concern, either regarding
8.2 Maintain appropriate professional and personal
policies, service provision or workplace behaviors with
boundaries with service users and colleagues.
the appropriate supervisor, manager or employer.
8.3 Seek support and guidance when personal issues are
Guideline 7 affecting professional conduct or practice.
The education of a community work practitioner does not 8.4 Recognise and redress inadequate knowledge and
cease upon graduation. It is incumbent on the community experience is through professional development,
worker to undertake relevant professional development training, support or supervision.
throughout her or his career to ensure their knowledge 8.5 Promptly address the inappropriate, unethical or illegal
remains current and informs their everyday practice. behaviour of a colleague through suitable means.
Indicators 8.6 Exhibit awareness of social, political, legal, cultural and
organisational contexts and systems, and how they
To comply with the intent of this guideline a community
might impact on the community work profession.
work practitioner will be required to:
8.7 Acknowledge and support the right of service users,
7.1 Identify skill and knowledge gaps and remedy through carers, members of the public and colleagues to make
training, supervision or other means. a complaint against the unethical, unprofessional or
7.3 Seek appropriate professional support, mentoring inept practice of a community work practitioner.
or advice to address personal and professional 8.8 Demonstrate an understanding of relevant legislation
limitations. and legal frameworks which specify responsibilities
7.4 Critically analyse the profession, human service towards clients, colleagues, employers or community
agencies and organisations, and social institutions members in the workplace.
in all aspects of the community work role. 8.9 Promote, take pride in, and advance the profession
7.5 Acknowledge personal responsibility and of community work.
accountability for actions, decisions and professional 8.10 Recognise that private behaviour should not
development. have an adverse impact on professional practice
7.6 Increase new knowledge and information about the or the profession.
profession, the sector or areas of practice through
active engagement with research and enquiry.
7.7 Keep abreast of current research, models of practice,
and theory.
7.8 Supervise students, staff and volunteers in an
ethical manner and from an appropriately qualified
knowledge base.
7.9 Share information and knowledge with colleagues

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