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National Code of Ethics for Case Management
1. CASE MANAGEMENT VALUES
The Values apply to interactions and communications with
Clients, colleagues, professionals (health and otherwise),
society and between Case Managers themselves.
The Values identify and commit to quality outcomes for
Clients, appropriate use of resources, and the empowerment
of Clients in a manner that is supportive and objective.
The Values reflect a belief that case management is a means
for improving Client health, wellness and autonomy through
advocacy, communication, education, identification of service
resources, and service facilitation and a recognition of the
dignity, worth and rights of all people (necessarily including
Clients).
1.1 Integrity
Integrity means using independent judgment and avoiding
conflicts of interest, restraining from self-aggrandisement
and resisting economic pressure. It means being faithful
to one’s deepest beliefs, acting on one’s conviction and not
adopting an ends-justifies-the-means philosophy that ignores
principle.
1.2 Caring
Caring means treating people as ends in themselves, not as
a means to an end. It means having compassion, treating
people courteously and with dignity, helping those in need
and avoiding harm to others.
1.3 Honesty
Honesty means being truthful, not deceiving, misleading
or distorting. Deceptions undermine the capacity for open
exchange and erode credibility.
1.4 Accountability
Accountability means accepting the consequences of one’s
actions and accepting the responsibility for one’s decisions
and their consequences. This means setting an example for
others and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.
1.5 Promising
Keeping a promise means keeping one’s commitments. When
promises have been made, they are supported by the fact that
the obligation to keep promises is among the most important
of generally accepted obligations. Promises and agreements
with stakeholders create expectations of performance and
establish obligations.
1.6 Pursuit of excellence
Pursuit of excellence means striving to be as good as one
can be. It means being diligent, industrious and committed.
It means being well informed and well prepared. It is not
enough to be content with mediocrity, but it is also not a right
to win “at any cost”.
1.7 Loyalty
Loyalty means being faithful and loyal to those with whom one
has dealings. This means safeguarding the ability to make
independent professional judgments by scrupulously avoiding
undue influence and conflicts of interest.
1.8 Fairness
Fairness means being open-minded, willing to admit an error,
not overreaching or taking undue advantage of another’s
adversities, avoiding arbitrary or capricious favouritism. It
means treating people equally and making decisions based
on notions of justice.
1.9 Respect
Respect for others means recognising each person’s right
to privacy and self-determination and having respect for
human dignity. It means being courteous, prompt, decent and
providing others with information they need to make informed
decisions.
2. CASE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
Case Managers identify, acknowledge, adhere to and
implement the four (4) foundational Principles which underpin
ethical conduct.
The following foundational Principles apply to decisionmaking
in case management.
2.1 Beneficence
Beneficence is a principle of positive obligation to not act in
ways which are detrimental to Clients and others.
Beneficence requires Case Managers to act in the best
interests of their Clients.
Case Managers benefit their Clients and others through their
conduct, actions and professionalism.
2.2 Non-malfeasance
Non-malfeasance is a principle to refrain from providing
ineffective treatments or acting with malice toward Clients.
Case Managers prevent and do not knowingly cause harm to
their Clients and others (“above all do no harm”).
2.3 Social Justice
Case Managers strive to provide Clients with access to
services and resources consistent with their need(s).
Justice is the principle for consideration when attempting to
make decisions about competing interests, or allocation of
resources.
In dealing with and/or acting for Clients and others, Case
Managers adhere to fairness at all times.