C.A.S.S.
Cassandra Ryner Trading As:
As a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS membership number 411768) C.A.S.S. works in the spirit of the ethical principles outlined below. Aspects from the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct are cited here alongside personal reflections to offer a transparent framework for service provision.
Respect
C.A.S.S. relationships are based on honesty, trust and mutual respect, and in the case of reflective and restorative conversation are guided by the client’s developmental process. Respect for dignity recognises the inherent worth of all human beings, regardless of perceived or real differences in social status, ethnic origin, gender, capacities, or any other such group-based characteristics. This inherent worth means that all human beings are worthy of equal moral consideration.
Competence
Competence refers to C.A.S.S. ability to provide specific services to a requisite professional standard; working within the recognised limits of Cassandra’s Autism Support Services knowledge, skill, training, education and experience.
The mode of delivery for the ABC of Cassandra’s Autism Support Services, outlined on this website, creates and maintains a safe space in which to facilitate service provision and end user development. The terms of service and C.A.S.S. website content help to create a professional working alliance.
Chosen techniques are used on the back of first-hand experience in this field and according to C.A.S.S. professional judgement of what may help, rather than applied as prescriptions or methods aimed at achieving a specific outcome.
C.A.S.S. is committed to CPD, further training and education in endeavour to maintain up to date knowledge, experience and understanding. (Please see the ‘PROFESSIONAL AWARENESS, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS’ sections for further information).
C.A.S.S. holds enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance.
Responsibility
Awareness of responsibility ensures that the trust of others is not abused, the power of influence is properly managed and that duty towards others is always paramount. Care is taken to always maintain appropriate professional boundaries and to adopt high standards of personal conduct in order to maintain the confidence and respect of all those with whom C.A.S.S. works.
C.A.S.S. relationships focus on the growth and development of autistic individuals and their families. It is considered a professional responsibility to inform clients if our working relationship does not seem to be beneficial, or if it reaches a point where it ceases to be so. A duty of care is, in part, exercised through the development of respectful and caring relationships between adults and children and young people. It is also exercised through the responsible behaviour of adults, who should demonstrate integrity, maturity and good judgement.
C.A.S.S. is mindful of the sensitivities and the potential variance in state of being that can result with working as described here, within the community. Adopting the responsibility of exercising sound judgement in endeavour not to overload or undermine individuals is seen as paramount. Frequently the family is viewed as expert in providing the background knowledge that supports the individuality of each person with autism. This knowledge, combined with existing professional input, is used as a baseline for ascertaining appropriate services. C.A.S.S. does not undertake intimate or personal care.
C.A.S.S. may need to make decisions in difficult, changing and unclear situations. The BPS code of Ethics and conduct will be used to form a basis for consideration of ethical questions and will underpin the process of making decisions, taking into account the perceived needs of persons, peoples and organisations in the specific circumstances in which the decision is to be made. However it must be recognised that no code can replace the need for C.A.S.S. to use her own professional and ethical judgement.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is considered a primary responsibility. ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (DfE2013)and ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (DfE 2014) define safeguarding as ‘protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes’. Where there may be serious risk either to yourself or to others C.A.S.S. reserves the right to make appropriate contacts, having made every effort to seek your prior consent.
C.A.S.S. reserves the right to vary terms of service from time to time and in such cases will endeavour to give good notice and time for discussion. We will either set a specific period for provision of services, or we will (more usually) have an open ended association. During the period of our working relationship we will have regular review sessions as appropriate and agreed.
In the event that you would like to finish sessions ahead of time, mindful of how that can impact on a person with autism, it is usually appropriate to meet for a mutually agreed number of sessions in which the ending of the relationship can be addressed and accomplished. The number depends on the length and depth of the relationship.
C.A.S.S. gives particular attention to confidentiality and consent and as such specifically covers these areas in a separate section on this site.
Integrity
Acting with integrity includes being honest, truthful, accurate and consistent in one’s actions, words, decisions, methods and outcomes. It requires setting self-interest to one side and being objective and open to challenge in one’s behaviour in a professional context.
C.A.S.S. values honesty, probity, accuracy, clarity and fairness in interactions with all persons and peoples, and seek to promote integrity in all facets of professional endeavours.
Where a programme of work is to be undertaken in a family home, an appropriate work space should be provided and the nature of the work should be agreed prior to commencement. This agreement should include: clear objectives, timings, duration of sessions and ground rules. It should take into account the preferences of both the pupil/student and parent/carer. There should also be an agreement that a parent/carer or other suitable adult will remain in the home throughout the session.
Confidentiality & Consent
The ‘Working with C.A.S.S. Consent Form’ outlines relevant details concerning confidentiality. Additionally, written consent will be obtained prior to C.A.S.S undertaking activities as part of befriending services or any other activity involving supporting individuals with accessing the community.
C.A.S.S. uses a password protected, custom designed bespoke computer programme and database in which all sensitive data is securely encrypted thereby ensuring data protection. This enables the secure storage of the brief anonymised notes made after each session. Additionally it is considered good practice to confidentially record the decision processes when confronted with particularly challenging ethical issues, for future reference if decisions require re-visiting.
