Core Values of Social Workers
- Service
- Social Justice
- Dignity of the Individual
- Importance of Human Relationships
- Integrity
- Competence
Ethical Responsibilities to Clients
- Promote the well-being of clients, their interests are primary
- Promote the client’s right to self-determination
- Obtain informed consent from clients
- Provide services and represent themselves as competent
- Understand and how knowledge of various cultures and be sensitive to any differences in cultures
- Avoid conflicts of interest, even if it means termination
- Not provide services to two or more people who have a relationship with each other
- Avoid engaging in dual or multiple relationships with a client
- Respect a client’s right to privacy
- Not disclose confidential info about client
- Provide a client to reasonable access to their records.
- Do not engage in inappropriate physical contact with a client
- Not sexually harass clients
- Set fees that are fair and responsible
- Ensure continuity of services
- Terminate services when no longer necessary
Ethical Responsibilities to colleagues
- Treat colleagues with respect
- Respect confidential information shared by colleagues
- Seek advice from colleagues when it is in the best interest of the client
- Refer a client to a colleague when they possess specialized knowledge better to assist the client
- Supervisors should not engage in sexual relationships with whom they have professional authority.
- Prevent and expose unethical conduct of colleagues
Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings
- Serve as a supervisor or educator only to the extent that the social worker possess the knowledge and experience
- Avoid engaging in dual or multiple relationships with students or supervisees
- Accurately document services in the client record
- Establish and maintain billing services that accurately reflect the services rendered
- Advocate for the adequate resources for clients
- Administrators and supervisors should arrange for continuing education for staff development
Ethical Responsibilities as professionals
- Accept responsibility and employment only on the basis of competence.
- Strive to become and remain proficient in the professional practice
- Not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals
- Not allow personal affairs to interfere with professional activities
- Not solicit vulnerable individuals to be clients
Ethical Responsibilities to the Profession
- Maintain and promote high standards of practice
- Uphold and advance values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the profession
- Promote and facilitate evaluation and research to contribute to the development of knowledge
- Monitor and evaluate policies and the implementation of programs
Ethical responsibilities to society
- Promote general welfare of society
- Engage in social and political activities to ensure that all people are entitled equal access to resources
- Promote and support conditions that facilitate cultural and social diversity
What must be reported (Mandated reporting)
- Child Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Danger to Self or Others
- Elder Abuse
What is vicarious liability
Employers and supervisors are responsible and liable for the actions of their respective employees and supervisees.
Federal Privacy Act of 1974
Settings that receive federal funding are required to inform clients of the information being maintained by the agency and give clients a right to access those records.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( HIPPA)
HIPPA provides protections and limits on the use and disclosure of an individual’s personal health information. Entities covered by HIPPA are health care providers, health care clearing houses, and health plan
Exceptions to confidentiality
- Mandated Reported
- Subpoena or other court order
- Treatment community
- Insurance Coverage
- Client request
- Children
The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1990 was meant to address what?
Development of family reunification programs
