NCCPSS Values & Code of Ethics

Values

• Individuals with lived experience have an essential role to play in the public mental health/substance use disorder system and are considered peer supporters.
• The roles that are created for peers within the service system should fully utilize the lived experience of the peer supporter, viewing it as a credential that the individual brings to the work that they do.
• Lived experience is necessary and on-going skill development for peer supporters is essential.
• The recovery environment of the workplace is fundamental to the success of peer supporters and recovery for the individuals served.
• Peer supporters are highly valued members of an agency; therefore, are fully integrated members of the mental health/substance use disorder delivery system.
• Equality and respect between peer supporters and traditional professionals must be reciprocal.
• Choice and self-determination are important components in everyone’s recovery, including individuals receiving and providing services.
• Self-directed recovery does happen, with or without professional help.

Code of Ethics

• Attention to self-recovery is critical to the performance of duties as a Peer Support specialist(s) (PSS). When changes in recovery occur, the Peer Support Specialist will take personal responsibility to seek support.
• PSS are honest in their interactions; keeping it simple, keeping it real.
• PSS relationships are mutual learning experiences.
• PSS have a responsibility to support people to use their own voices to advocate for the principles of human dignity, self- determination, and empowerment.
• PSS honor commitments made to peers. PSS strive to always explore and ask open ended questions rather than making assumptions. PSS explore alternatives and options with peers rather than giving advice.
• PSS support people to make their own choices, honoring self-determination. The PSS does not put his/her agenda ahead of the peer’s agenda.
• PSS negotiate within the relationship with peers in order to facilitate peer choice and shared power.
• PSS avoid power struggles and favoritism.
• PSS will not exploit, devalue, manipulate, abuse, neglect, or ignore a peer.
• PSS and peers will not loan or borrow anything from each other; especially not money.
• PSS will not establish romantic relationships with peers and will refrain from intimate or sexual activity with peers.
• PSS avoid dual relationships; when they are unavoidable, appropriate boundaries are established within the relationship with the support of the supervisor.
• PSS will not violate a peer's confidentiality except when required by law.
• PSS does not accept or give gifts, if allowed by the agency, must be clearly related to the peer's recovery process.
• PSS do not take peers to their homes; any exception to this must have written agency approval.
• PSS do not hire peers to work for them if they are currently receiving services from their agency.
• PSS's documentation in the agency record is person-centered, strength-based and done with the peer whenever possible.
• PSS take responsibility for their own professional development and are proactive about expanding their knowledge and honing their skills with continuing education and training.
• PSS have a responsibility to educate themselves about available community resources and to establish helpful contacts in the community.
• PSS do not make medical diagnoses.