This is what we expect of all our staff:

1. Integrity

   We seek in our actions, in what we do, to reflect what we say and believe. We say what we mean and mean what we say.

2. Commitment

   We work hard to enable people we support to achieve their goals.  When the going gets tough we stick in there. But we are also committed to balanced lives.  As we seek full lives for the people we support, so we seek to ensure staff do not work excessive hours and have time for themselves and others outside of work.

3. Enabling

   We support each other to develop our skills and abilities and to use them effectively for the benefit of those we support.  Therefore we don’t jump in to do everything ourselves, but look to developing and using the skills of others.

4. Confidentiality

   We share specific, private information on a ‘need to know’ basis and within supervision systems. We do not gossip about others and we do not create negative reputations for people we support.

5. Challenge

   We rigorously debate our differences of opinion and see such debates as healthy and positive. Once a decision is made, we work wholeheartedly towards the agreed decision.

6. Listening

   We listen to each other and don’t jump in with our own views before considering others. This reflects our respect for each other.

7. Recognition and Encouragement

   Appreciation and encouragement are great motivators. We seek to identify opportunities to praise and encourage each other and we celebrate success.

8. Rigour

   We act and make decisions on what makes a real difference to the quality of life of those we support. When necessary we take hard and painful decisions about making sure Options works effectively.

9. Teamwork

   We recognise each other’s different skills, experiences and abilities and seek to use each to work as a team and to support each other in good and in bad times.

10. Learning

    We are creative and try different ways of doing things. We make mistakes, but after they occur we learn from them to ensure they do not happen again.

11. Vision

    We have a clear sense of purpose and direction.

12. Risk Taking

    We are willing and keen to take thought through risks and make sure we learn through every experience, the good and the bad.