These statements are considered by SAMS to be the foundation of its practice.

Equality - All people should be equally valued members of society with the same rights, the same dignity and the same opportunities to enjoy their lives.

Equity - All people are unique and therefore some individuals may require more support or resources to experience the same choices as others.

Service users are the Key People in Quality Assurance - The participation of service users, and where appropriate their family, friends,  advocates and involved volunteers is crucial in an evaluation process.

Respect - No evaluation, education or research process should invade the privacy of any individual. Permission will be obtained before visiting homes and looking at personal material.

Partnership - The aim of all evaluation and education practices is to build trust between the evaluators/educators and the people involved so that there is an optimum chance for positive development.

Catalyst for Change  - The ultimate objective is to bring about an improvement in quality of life.

Transparency – SAMS protocols and procedures are clearly stated and open for scrutiny.

Congruency – Evaluations/education will be conducted according to the same standards that are applied to the service/group.

Inclusion - People with a disability, and where appropriate, their families and advocates, will be involved at all levels of managing and actioning evaluations/education/research.

Multi-perspective Approach - The outcome of an evaluation will be balanced and will reflect the views of all the parties/people involved.

Cultural Sensitivity/Safety – Evaluation/education/research practices  will ensure that the cultures of the people involved are honoured.

Dignity - All aspects of evaluation/education/research will maintain the self-regard of those involved.

Minimal Intrusion - During evaluation/education/research SAMS will not become involved in the operation of a service, or the dynamics operating within a family/group. The only exception to this is where a person is in immediate risk of danger.

Confidentiality - No activities associated with evaluation/education/research will reveal the source of information that has been gathered for the purposes of the evaluation. The two exceptions to this are when a person gives explicit permission to be identified or where the identification of an individual will eliminate the risk of harm occurring to themselves or others.

Negotiation - A draft evaluation report will always be discussed with a service provider prior to it becoming a final document.

Accountability - All of the people employed by SAMS are answerable to the CEO of SAMS. Service providers and service users who are involved in evaluations are informed of the appropriate ways to make formal complaints to SAMS if they are dissatisfied with some aspect of evaluation/education/research.

Evolution of Services - SAMS continually adapts and refines its operations to constantly improve its ability to conduct effective evaluation/education/research.