Topic 4: Developing an Ethical Accountability Plan

To maintain ethical excellence in peer support, it is helpful to develop a personalized ethical accountability plan. This plan outlines how a peer specialist will commit to ethical learning, professional growth, and ongoing self-assessment.

Steps to Create an Ethical Accountability Plan:

  • Identify three key areas of ethical growth.
  • Set specific learning goals for ethical development.
  • Establish support systems (mentorship, training, peer groups).
  • Commit to ongoing reflection and ethics discussions.

Example: A peer specialist creates a professional development plan that includes attending two ethics training sessions per year, joining a peer discussion group, and scheduling quarterly self-reflection reviews.

Best Practice: Write down and revisit your ethical accountability plan regularly to track progress and adjust goals as needed.

Calls to Action Poll

Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agree
Peer mentor training
Group facilitator training
Crisis responder training
Toolkits or educational resources
Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agree
Templates for operations (e.g., reports, outreach plans)
Apps for scheduling, communication, or service delivery
Centralized platforms or systems to manage services
Tech literacy and support for RCO staff/volunteers
Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agree
Public education materials about recovery
Anti-stigma messaging and campaigns
Community presentations or media outreach
Engagement with schools, employers, and faith-based organizations
Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agree
Transitional or supportive housing models
Second-chance hiring programs
Job training and resume support
Partnerships with local employers
Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agree
Volunteer recruitment and engagement
Matching professional skills (e.g., legal, marketing) with org needs
Platform or system to manage and track volunteer involvement
Training and orientation tools for volunteers