The 5-Step Ethical Decision-Making Model

Ethical decision-making ensures that peer support specialists act with consistency, professionalism, and accountability. Without a structured approach, decisions may be emotionally driven, inconsistent, or misaligned with ethical guidelines. In this lesson, we will learn a five-step ethical decision-making model to help peer specialists make sound, professional, and ethical choices.

The Five Steps of Ethical Decision-Making

When faced with an ethical dilemma, having a structured process ensures that decisions are made thoughtfully and professionally. The five-step ethical decision-making model provides a framework for analyzing ethical concerns and selecting the best course of action.

The Five Steps:

• Identify the Ethical Issue – Clearly define the problem at hand.

• Gather Relevant Information – Collect all the details you will need to make an informed decision.

• Consider Possible Actions – Explore different solutions to the problem.

• Consult and Make a Decision – Seek supervision and choose the best course of action.

• Evaluate & Reflect – Review how your response played out, and how you might improve your future responses.

Each step plays a crucial role in ensuring that ethical peer support decisions align with professional best practices. Let’s examine each step in detail.