Code of ethics for Catholic Social Services Australia 2006

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES AUSTRALIA

CODE OF ETHICS 2006

February 2006

Foreword

This is what Yahweh asks of you:
Only this, to act justly
to love tenderly
and to walk humbly with your God!
Micah: 6:8

Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) is the peak body for Catholic welfare services in Australia. It is governed by a board consisting of elected and appointed representatives and is answerable to the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference through the Bishops’ Committee for Social Welfare. A national office facilitates CSSA activities and implements decisions made by the CSSA Board.

Welfare services, auspiced by the church, are a part of the long tradition of Catholic communities across Australia, where witness to the gospel is carried out by meeting the emotional and physical needs of people within their local area.

This Code of ethics is a valuable reference for all who share in CSSA’s mission and business. It articulates the ethical framework for behaviour and decision making of the CSSA Board, national office and entities formed to conduct CSSA business. The code incorporates CSSA’s mission, vision, values and ethical principles, and is the recommended basis for practice by all member organisations and CSSA staff.

The CSSA Board, in approving this code, recognises the extensive work of Centacare Catholic Community Services Sydney, Centacare Catholic Family Services Broken Bay and Centacare Catholic Family Welfare Services Wollongong. These organisations were instrumental in shaping this document. The Catholic Health Australia code of ethical standards for Catholic health and aged care services in Australia was also a valuable reference tool in forming this document.

This code is a living document which will be regularly reviewed, debated and updated as required.

It is recognised staff are responsible for their own actions; however, directors and managers have an added responsibility to assist staff to resolve ethical dilemmas and issues. This code is to be used as a reference for this purpose and to empower staff to act ethically at all times.

I commend the principles in this booklet to you and hope you will find it useful.

Frank Quinlan

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

25 January 2006

Code of Ethics for Catholic Social Services Australia National Office 2006

Code of Ethics for Catholic Social Services Australia (for Service Delivery Agencies)