Identify standards for relationships in Social Work Practice as well as Values and NASW Code of Ethics
Professional values in Code of Ethics
Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of the Person ,Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity and Competence.
Ethical Aspect
1. Consider the best interest of the Client.
2. The code of ethics are not explicit rules they are precepts that should be used to guide your behavior. 3. Ethical decision making is a process not a single event. 4.When making ethical decisions you should use all variables, including legal responsibilities and medical considerations.5. Confidentiality is an extemely important concern. 6. Be sensitive to moral and social codes of your community 7. When making decisions involving ethics be conservative in your judgments. 8 Be aware of your areas of professional competence as well as your professional limitations.
Laws, Regulations and Policies
1. You should never engage in activities beyond your scope of knowledge or training. 2.You should challenge laws and policis which are unjust.3.
Personal Values
Ones personal beliefs, customs or standards or principles that are considered desireable and practiced by ones cultural group
Professional Values
are the principles and standards of conduct for social workers. there are ten rules to adhere to when viewing professional values.
Confidentiality
the standards of confidentiality apply after your obtain private information. confidential info can be disclosed with a valid consent from a client or PLR for client. confidential information can be disclosed if doing so will prevent serious, forseeable, imminent harm. certain laws and regulations require you to disclose info without clients consent.
Priviledge
is the legal right which prevents confidential client information from being disclosed in court. (in most cases the client is the holder of privilege) If a client is a minor or mentally unstable the parent or guardian is the holder of prvilege.
Legal requirement for release of confidential
Disclose the least amount of info necessary to achieve the inteneded purpose. Inform the client about disclosure and possible consequences. Inform the client before you make the disclosure.
explanation of confidentiality to client and other parties
discuss circumstances of which confidentiality may be requested When disclosure may be required by law.
Provision of counseling to families, couples, groups
try to obtain an agreement from all clients involved regarding their obligation to maintain confidentiality of others. Inform participants that you cannot guarantee other will abide by confidentiality. Inform clients your agency/employers policy if and when you will disclose confidential infom among clients involved in counseling.
Disclosure to third party payers
confidential information cannot be disclosed unless the client signs a consent.
Disclosure at the request of a legally authorized body
1. Ask the court to withdraw the order 2. try to limit the order as narrowly as possible or 3. Keep the relevant records under seal, wher they are unavailable for public inspection.
Bioethics
involves the philosophical study of ethical controversies arising from advances in biology and medicine. Ths includes debates over boundaries of life (abortion,euthanasia) sorrogacy, allocation of scarce resources, experimenting with human subjects and the right to turn down medical care fro religious or cultural reasons.
Privacy
refers to the basic right of an individual to decide how much personal information can be shared with others.
Obtaining release of information
You should obrain a signed release form whenever clients ask you to disclose information and prior to speaking with any family member, teachers, employers etc
confidentiality of minors
minors are individuals under the age of 18. A minor is entitled to a confidential relationship with his/her social worker.
release of information (minors)
non emancipated minors being seen with parents consent, authorization to release confidential information must come from atleast one parent if the parents are married, from atleast one divorced parent with legal custody or from the legal guardian of the minor.
minors in foster care
are wards of the court, consent does not have to come from biological or legal guardian if a child is in foster care.
Pregnant minors
you are not ethicall or legally required to tell a minor's parent about the minors preganancy. minor is entitled to a confidential relationship with you.
parents inisting on release of information
some parents may insist they have the legal right to know about the childs treatment. In this case you should not release info. If parents are persistent about the matter you should consult with your attorney.
treating the fact of a helping relationship confidential
social workers are prohibited from discussing their cases with others without client consent, unless there are compelling professional reasons fro doing so. Those inquiring about clients should be told client identities can;t be disclosed. Even the fact that you are not treating someone should be kept confidential.
Discuss confidential info only when privacy is ensured.
Code of ethics states that you should not discuss confidential information in any setting unless privacy is ensured. confidential information should never be discussed in social conversations, confidential info should not be divulged in a careless way.
disclosing confidentiality to prevent harm
you can disclose confidential info without consent if it is going to prevent harm from serious,forseeable and imminent harm. this includes if the client is a danger to self or others.
confidentiality and case management
case managers must protect a clients right to privacy and confidentiality. Case manager should explain confidentiality and its limits to clients as effective case managmement requires an exchange of information about the client with a helping network.
client at risk for suicide
depending on the level of risk the following actions can be taken 1. no suicide contract,contact the family, or have the client hospitalized. you must do everything possible to protect the client from harm.
client is a danger to others
if no particular victim is identifiable, hospitalization may be indicated, involuntary hospitalization would neccessitate a breach of confidentiality. when a victim is identifiable you are required to take steps that may breach confidentiality when you believe there is serious forseeable harm....
Legal exception to confidentiality:child abuse reporting
according to ethical standards you can disclose confidential information without a clietns consent when disclosure of confidential information may be required by law.