Ethical Standards
1-The Role of an Advocate
The role of a homelessness advocate is to provide guidance and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness in navigating their challenges and accessing necessary resources. Advocates are dedicated to aiding clients and their communities in making informed decisions.
2-Transparency and Honest Disclosure
Advocates uphold integrity and transparency in their practices. They establish clear expectations with clients regarding the scope of their assistance. Advocates have a duty to disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise from their professional affiliations.
Advocates providing fee-for-service assistance must transparently disclose their fees, training, education, experience, and credentials. They are also required to disclose any existing contractual relationships with suppliers or service providers related to the assistance they recommend or utilize for their clients. Fee-for-service advocates must furnish their CV/resume and references upon request.
3-Protecting Confidentiality and Privacy
Advocates respect each client’s right to privacy and follow all applicable laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of records and personally identifiable information. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of all records, communications, and their beneficiaries identities.
Advocates respect their beneficiaries’ decisions to disclose health information to others, such as family members or friends, as well as the guarantor if the client is not present. Before finishing services with a client, the advocate conveys their records keeping policy to them.
4-Fostering Autonomy
Advocates for individuals experiencing homelessness must approach all clients with compassion and respect. They are committed to honoring their clients’ personal values regarding care and ensuring their right to participate in decisions that affect their well-being.
These advocates actively support and uphold the rights of individuals facing homelessness by advocating for the recognition of existing statutory rights and promoting fair and equitable treatment for marginalized individuals and communities. They work tirelessly to ensure that those experiencing homelessness receive the dignity, respect, and support they deserve in accessing essential services and resources.
5-Provision of Competent Services
Homelessness advocates have a duty to inform their clients about their specific areas of expertise and only provide assistance within those domains where they have demonstrated proficiency. If a client requires support beyond the advocate’s knowledge or training, it is their obligation to refer the client to the appropriate system or resource for assistance.
These advocates establish robust referral systems to aid clients who need services beyond their scope of practice. They maintain respect for their clients and collaborate effectively with professionals to ensure comprehensive support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
6-Avoidance of Impropriety and Conflicts of Interest
Homelessness advocates are prohibited from accepting payment for referrals to other service providers or products, or steering beneficiaries towards services from which they would financially benefit. They are also restricted from featuring paid advertisements on their platforms or requiring clients to purchase external services to access their advocacy services.
A conflict of interest arises when an advocate’s personal or professional interests pose a significant risk of undermining their ability to serve a client effectively. In such cases, advocates must refrain from providing or continuing services unless they can ensure competent and diligent assistance to the beneficiaries, and the beneficiary provides informed written consent.
7-Continuing Education & Professional Development
Homelessness advocates are forbidden from collecting payment for referrals to other service providers or products, as well as directing clients to services that will benefit them financially. They are also prohibited from running sponsored adverts on their platforms or compelling clients to buy other services in order to access their advocacy services.
A conflict of interest occurs when an advocate’s personal or professional interests jeopardize their capacity to assist a client effectively. In such instances, advocates must avoid from giving or continuing services unless they can guarantee competent and diligent assistance to the client, and the client gives informed written consent.
8-Avoidance of Discriminatory Practices
Homelessness advocates work to ensure that those enduring homelessness have equal access to necessary services and support, regardless of age, color, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status. They aggressively seek to support individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, recognizing and taking into account their distinct cultural viewpoints when advocating for their needs. When advocates are unfamiliar with a beneficiaries’ cultural background, they try to learn their preferences and incorporate them into the delivery of the needed help.