Why This Lesson Matters
Community values are not just ideas. They show up in everyday decisions you make as a DSP. Your role directly affects a person’s dignity, safety, independence, and overall quality of life.
Your Responsibility Starts With Professional Conduct
As a DSP, you are expected to act professionally at all times. This includes how you speak, how you respond to challenges, and how you represent Simply Guiding Lights while providing support.
Professional conduct includes:
Respectful communication
Appropriate boundaries
Following policies and procedures
Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
Follow the Individual’s Plan
Support must be based on the person’s plan, not personal opinions or assumptions. This includes the Individualized Service Plan and any behavior, safety, or health supports.
Your job is to:
Know the plan
Follow the plan consistently
Ask questions when something is unclear
Report concerns through the correct chain of command
Support Choice and Self Determination
People have the right to make decisions about their lives. Your role is to offer choices, encourage decision making, and respect preferences whenever it is safe to do so.
Examples include:
Choosing meals and snacks
Picking activities and schedules
Deciding what to wear
Making choices about community outings
Protect Dignity and Respect at All Times
Dignity is protected through the way you treat people in everyday moments. Respect should be consistent, not only when things are easy.
This includes:
Speaking to the person, not about them
Using appropriate language and tone
Avoiding labels or negative talk
Offering privacy during personal care
Promote Independence, Not Dependence
Your role is to support skill building and independence. Support should help the person succeed without taking over.
A helpful mindset is:
Do with, not do for
Support the least assistance needed
Encourage progress and celebrate effort
Document and Communicate Accurately
Documentation is part of professional responsibility. It protects the individual, the organization, and you.
As a DSP, you must:
Document services accurately and on time
Report changes in behavior, health, or safety immediately
Communicate respectfully with supervisors and team members
Reminder
When you practice values consistently, you help create safety, trust, and long term success. Next, we will focus on what it looks like to support individuals directly within the community.