Ethical decision-making in safeguarding
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSE
In Aotearoa New Zealand
disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori
experience higher rates of violence, abuse, and neglect
than the general population.
Ethical decision‑making in safeguarding is the process of making careful, well‑reasoned choices that protect people from harm while respecting their rights, dignity, culture, and autonomy. It’s about balancing safety with self‑determination.
A strong ethical approach to safeguarding is:
Person‑directed – centred on the disabled person and what matters to them.
Rights‑based – grounded in human rights frameworks and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Culturally responsive – respecting identity, culture, whānau, and community connections.
Proportionate and risk‑responsive – matching the response to the level and likelihood of harm.
Informed and reflective – guided by law, policy, evidence, professional judgement, and consultation.
Ethical decision‑making is not a one‑off event. It is an ongoing, reflective practice that benefits from collaboration, supervision, and the support of multi‑agency teams - especially where tensions, uncertainty, or ethical dilemmas arise.
Ultimately, ethical decision‑making in safeguarding aims to do no more harm, uphold dignity, and support people to live safe, self‑directed lives wherever possible.
Safeguarding in New Zealand emphasises the need to be aware of and responsive to situations where an adult may be at risk of harm. This includes ensuring the person is listened to carefully and is respected and heard, while maintaining their right to make (informed) decisions about their own life.
Source: Disability Support Network.
What is ethical decision-making,
in a safeguarding context?
Who needs to understand and apply
ethical decision-making?
The responsibility for ethical decision-making is shared across the disability community, including safeguarding providers and professionals, health practitioners, support workers, whānau, family, caregivers, intimate partners, flatmates, neighbours, and friends.
Ethical decision-making requires professionals, support people, and organisations to thoughtfully consider:
a person’s human rights, including the right to make their own decisions
a person’s will and preferences, identity, and culture
the risk of harm (including violence, abuse, or neglect, or exploitation)
legal obligations, professional duties, and organisational responsibilities
the potential impact of action or inaction on the person and others.
This information:
has been developed for safeguarding providers and professionals, to inform your policies, procedures, and ethical decision-making practice, and
is also intended as a practical guide for multi-agency teams, whānau, families, caregivers and other support people involved in safeguarding adults.
These videos help to convey the importance of upholding human rights.
In this video, Australian women with disabilities talk about the human rights of all people to make decisions about their lives.
The video was produced by Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), 2016.
This video provides advice for governors and boards of disability services about
adopting a human rights-based approach.
Produced by National Disability Services, Australia, 2014
This video introduces some basic concepts of ethical decision-making
This video discusses the dynamic process of ethical decision-making. It promotes the need to become familiar with a range of models and techniques, and provides a ‘Four-way Test’ as a basic and practical approach ethical decision-making.
This asks: Is it the truth? Is it fair? Will it build goodwill and better relationships?
Will it be beneficial, achieving the right result?
Produced by The Student Success Coach.
Understanding ethical decision-making
is relevant to everyone involved in safeguarding.
Examples of ethical dilemmas in the disability sector
Five short scenarios have been outlined here, to enable you to consider the tensions arising in each case, and to consider how you would respond in a safeguarding situation.
For your action:
Consider the various dilemmas and the guidance presented here to support your decision-making
Learn more about ethical decision-making
Safeguarding adults involves protecting people’s rights
while supporting their autonomy, safety, and wellbeing.
It requires ethical, culturally informed, person-directed decision-making.