In the world of disability support team values are the invisible threads that hold everything together.
- They shape how we show up for the person we support.
- They influence how we respond to challenges.
- And they guide how we treat each other, especially when things get hard.
But here’s the catch – Values only matter if they live in our everyday actions.
What Do Our Values Actually Look Like?
It’s easy to say we value “respect” or “accountability” or “teamwork.”
But what does that look like in real life?
Here’s an example:
Accountability in action might look like a team member gently raising a concern when something gets missed, knowing it’s about shared responsibility—not blame.
The opposite? Staying silent, or gossiping to others, letting problems fester instead of addressing them together.
By getting specific about what our values do and don’t look like in action, we move from vague ideals to clear, shared standards that everyone understands.
Why It Matters
When a team shares a clear understanding of their values:
- Communication improves
- Conflicts are handled with care
- Trust grows
- The quality of support strengthens
- And most importantly—the person at the centre of it all benefits
Values become the guideposts. They help teams make decisions, set boundaries, and stay aligned without needing constant oversight.
A Tool to Help Your Team
To support teams in living their values more clearly, I’ve created a simple resource that breaks down common values and shows:
- What they look like in action
- What they don’t look like
How teams can use it
- In team meetings for discussion or reflection
- When onboarding new staff
- To rebuild alignment after a tough moment
- Or simply as a reminder of what you all stand for
Let’s Live Our Values
Your team’s culture is built moment by moment, choice by choice.
The more clearly you define and model your values, the stronger and more united your team becomes—and the more intentional and person-centred your support will be.
Download and adapt Team Values in Action for your team
