There are over 4.5 million Direct Support Professionals in just the United States alone. They are there to touch and change one person at a time. Direct support professionals play an essential role in assisting people with disabilities to live meaningful lives. As such, it is imperative for DSPs to understand and adhere to their moral and ethical obligations towards the people they support. In this blog, we will tackle what really are DSPs, what’s their difference from caregivers, the difference between moral and ethics, and what are the moral and ethical obligations of DSPs. 

What are Direct Support Professionals 

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are an essential part of the healthcare industry, responsible for providing assistance and support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. The role of a DSP involves working closely with individuals to help them meet their daily needs, from personal care to community participation.

Difference between DSP to caregivers

The main difference between a DSP and a caregiver is that DSP’s main purpose is to assist their clients and teach them how to live independently. Their main job is to provide support for individuals and help them to learn how to do things on their own. Meanwhile caregivers aside from supporting their client, they would do what the client cannot do. An example of this is buying them groceries or giving them their medicine.  DSPs used to be trained as caregivers, however as time passed their roles began to change. 

Difference Between Morals and Ethics 

In order to  identify what are the moral and ethical obligations of Direct Support Professionals, we must first differentiate the two. Moral and Ethics are almost synonymous and could be used interchangeably, however they still have a distinct difference

Moral 

Moral comes from the Latin word “Mores” which means “Manners”. Personal or cultural values and beliefs that guide behavior are commonly referred to as moral. Morality is typically concerned with personal character and virtues such as honesty, fairness, and compassion. It is based on your own judgment and what you believe to be right and wrong.

Ethics

Ethics on the other hand came from the Greek word “Ethos” which means “Character”. These  are a set of standards that determines which is good or bad by a group of people or community. External sources, such as laws, regulations, or professional codes of conduct, are frequently viewed as imposing ethical obligations.

Moral Obligations of a Direct Support Professional

Moral obligations refer to the responsibilities of a person based on their personal values and beliefs. As a direct support professional, you have a moral obligation to uphold the dignity, rights, and well-being of the individuals you support. This includes:

Honesty

Being truthful is an important moral obligation. You should always communicate openly and honestly with the individuals you support, and avoid misleading or withholding information from them. You should always be honest about your opinions but do it in a proper manner. 

Non-Discrimination

It is your moral obligation to treat all individuals equally, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or disability. You should not discriminate against anyone in the provision of support services.You would not be able to do your job properly as a direct support professional if you are not respecting your client as a person, and for who they are. 

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy and compassion are key moral obligations of a DSP. You should listen to the individuals you support, understand their needs, and respond with empathy and compassion. When planning interventions, you should put yourself in their shoes in order to understand where they are coming from. 

Ethical Obligations of a Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professionals follow a Code of Ethics. Ethical obligations are the responsibilities of a person based on a set of professional standards and codes of conduct. As a direct support professional, you have ethical obligations that are set out by your employer and the regulatory bodies. We will go through the code of ethics in a brief manner. The Code of Ethics states that you should:

Commit to a person-centered support

The first priority of a DSP (Direct Support Professional) is to support the person being assisted, and all other tasks flow from this priority. When selecting and structuring support, the DSP should commit to person-centered support, focus on the individual's needs, recognize their capabilities and preferences, and prioritize the person's unique culture and circumstances. 

Promote Physical and Emotional Well-Being 

As a DSP, you will commit to promoting the emotional, physical, and personal well-being of the individuals you serve. You should be able to assist them in order to prevent illness, or unnecessary risk. When making decisions, you should know what its consequences are to their health, safety, and emotional well-being.

Show integrity and be responsible 

You should be aware that you are responsible for the individuals you’re supporting, and take accountability for the decisions and actions you make. 

Give Confidentiality

You have a moral obligation to keep the personal information of the people you support private. You should not reveal any information about them without their permission. Remember that confidential agreements are under federal laws, and agency policies. However, there are instances where you need to disclose some confidential information if this involves preventing harm to the individual you support. You can seek guidance from qualified people in order to know what to do in situations like that and what is the correct course of action. 

Justice, Fairness and Equity

For the people you serve, promote and practice justice, fairness, and equity.  Make sure that the people you support are not deprived of access to resources and opportunities that are available for everyone. 

Respect your client as a person

A respectful relationship is to be developed, based on trust and professional boundaries, and the values of the people being supported are to be respected. Recognize and respect the differences of each individual's gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic class and many more. Aside from that you should respect their choices, preferences and opinions. 

Maintain Relationships

It is part of your ethical obligation to assist and support the individual in maintaining their relationship with their family, friend, significant other, etc.. Separate your personal relationship beliefs from those of the people you support. If you are unable to separate your own beliefs and preferences in a given situation, you will withdraw from the situation, and seek the help of a knowledgeable coworker. 

Respect for Autonomy

Individuals with disabilities have the right to make their own choices and decisions. As a DSP, you should respect their autonomy and support them in making informed decisions. Remember, your job is not to do things for them, but to support them and help them on their path to independence and become self-reliant. You can guide them, give advice, offer help, but do not make them feel that they are incapable of making decisions on their own. 

Advocate for the people you support 

You will advocate WITH the people you support. In all matters, encourage them  to speak up for themselves and offer your  assistance when needed. Promote laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that promote justice and equality. All people with disabilities should be included. And again, ask for guidance from qualified individuals to know what's the best course of action for your advocacy efforts. 

Conclusion

As a direct support professional, you play an important role in assisting people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. Understanding your moral and ethical obligations is critical to providing high-quality support services. Your role goes beyond just providing physical support, as you are also responsible for upholding the rights and promoting the well-being of those you serve. By fulfilling these responsibilities, you not only meet the expectations of your employer and regulatory bodies, but you also contribute to the overall well-being of those you support.

Did you learn something new about moral and ethical obligations?

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