Working the Document: Using Ethics Cards to Operationalise the Youth Work Code of Ethics

Abstract

In the face of criticisms that professional codes of ethics are not effective in promoting ethical behaviour, this article explores a methodology developed in a major Western Australian youth work agency for applying a Youth Work Code of Ethics in practical, real-time situations. The experience resulted in workers being conscious of the clause-by-clause content of the code across a range of situations, and being able to use it as a resource in their day-to-day work.

Keywords:

• Ethics
• Code
• Youth work
• Training
• Dilemma
• Ethical decision making

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jethro Sercombe

Jethro Sercombe is Manager of Youth Services at Anglicare in Perth, Western Australia and vice-Chair of the Western Australian Association of Youth Workers. He has a strong history in detached youth work and in youth accommodation settings

Howard Sercombe

Howard Sercombe is Professor of Community Education at the University of Strathclyde, and is also an experienced youth work practitioner, academic and researcher. He is the author of Youth Work Ethics (Sage, 2010) and has also been responsible for developing codes of ethics for youth work in Australia and for community learning and development in Scotland