12.1 Ethical Framework & PSW Professional Standards
The Importance of Ethics in Client-Centred Care
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PSW Ethics
Client Care: Relationship, Respect, Safety and comfort, Compassion, Dignity, Trust.
Principles: Commitment, Fairness, Integrity, Value, Honesty, Transparency, Dependability, Choice.
Professionalism: Responsibility, Cultural sensitivity, Confidentiality, Accountability, Boundaries.
As a Personal Support Worker (PSW), you are often the primary point of contact for clients, providing essential care that supports their daily living and overall well-being. This close relationship places you in a position of great trust and responsibility. Ethical care is not just a guideline, it is a fundamental part of your role. It means treating every client with dignity, respect, and compassion, while also protecting their rights, privacy, and autonomy (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2025). Adhering to ethical standards involves maintaining confidentiality, demonstrating honesty, and showing cultural sensitivity to foster respectful, trusting relationships with client while ensuring their safety and comfort (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2025). For PSW students and those new to the profession, understanding and applying these ethical principles is crucial. They form the foundation of Professional Practice and are key to delivering high-quality, client-centred care.
For example, imagine you are assisting a client with their ADL’s (Activities for Daily Living) and they express discomfort with a certain task due to personal reasons. An ethical response would involve listening without judgment, respecting their wishes, and finding an alternative approach that maintains their dignity while still meeting their care needs. This not only shows respect for the client’s autonomy but also builds trust and promotes a safe, supportive care environment (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2025).
By committing to ethical care from the start of your career, you help create a respectful and empowering atmosphere where clients feel truly valued (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2025).
As a PSW, it’s essential to be mindful of the many dimensions of ethical care. Below are several key principles to keep in mind as you support clients in a respectful and professional manner.
The Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) states that PSW’s need to ensure they provide safe, quality care which includes the following categories:
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Honesty & Integrity
- Communicate openly and honestly, showing courtesy and compassion in every interaction.
Privacy & Confidentiality
- Be respectful of recipients’ privacy and comply with privacy laws and employer policies.
Professionalism & Accountability
- Provide competent, dignified care, maintain appropriate boundaries, collaborate, and behave professionally at all times.
Record Keeping & Reporting
- Clearly and accurately document care services provided.
Recipient Autonomy
- Provide information to ensure informed consent and respect personal beliefs.
Ethical Business Practices
- Charge reasonable fees, perform services regardless of fee, and issue receipts, as applicable.
Clear Qualifications
- Provide accurate name, role, and display the PSW visual mark, if requested.
Tolerance & Acceptance
- Respect care recipients’ cultural and religious beliefs and do not discriminate against others.
In addition to the important concepts listed above, The Ontario Standard for Personal Support Worker Programs is an integral part of influencing education in Ontario for PSW students. The PSW Standards, initiated in 1993, brings forth consistency to College PSW Programs, providing both vocational and essential skills for PSW graduates (Ministry of Colleges and Universities, 2022). The curriculum at Fanshawe College ensures to implement the most up to date PSW Program Standards into the PSW curriculum.
For more insight, consider the following resources, which offer valuable guidance that can support your role as a PSW:
