NASW Code of ethics presenation Social worker’s ethical responsibilities to clients

1.01 Commitment to Clients Social workers are responsible for ensuring the dignity, worth, wellbeing, and best interests of the clients they serve. The only time this may pose a conflict is in the event that a the client poses a threat to themselves or others or there is a legal conflict that must be addressed. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: a teenage client discloses they are suicidal but does not want anyone to know including his/her parents.

1.02 Self-determination Social workers serve to help clients define and achieve goals This may be impaired only if the client is a risk to their personal safety or the safety of someone else. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: An adult client is seeking job training and support. You link them to a career center that helps them locate available employment. At your next appointment they report that the career center did not have jobs that interested them so they began selling their prescription medications for household income.

1.03 Informed consent Social workers must be clear in boundaries when seeing clients. They must maintain professional relationships with clients and allow clients to ask questions. If a client has a language impairment social workers must take appropriate steps to ensure that clients are able to understand what is being told to them. If a client is unable to give consent, social workers must protect their clients and get permission from an appropriate third party that will act in accordance of the wishes of the client. If a client is receiving treatment involuntarily, social workers must inform them of their rights of refusal and explain the reasoning behind the treatment. When using electronics with clients, social workers must alert clients to the possible risks of technology. Clients must consent to being taped or observed by a third party. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are a student at a hospital. Your supervisor has an individual counseling session with a patient. Your supervisor does not ask the patient if it is OK for you to be in the room during the session.

1.04 Competence Social workers can only work within the limitations of their education, training, licensing, etc. Social workers should only provide services in areas that they are appropriately trained and educated on. If they are not competent in an area that is necessary for a client they should refer the client to another social worker that has the proper education and training. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: A patient comes in needing rent assistance. You do not know where they can find the help but are certain someone else in your agency probably does.

1.05. cultural competence and social diversity Social workers must strive to understand different cultures and how culture effects human life. Social workers need to have specific knowledge about their clients’ cultural backgrounds and have the ability to demonstrate their knowledge using respect, dignity, and sensitivity. Social workers must be educated and strive to understand “…the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientations, gender identity…” WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are given a client that recently immigrated to your area. You know that other immigrants do not shake hands or maintain eye contact when speaking with others. It is the requirement of the agency that you greet every client with a handshake.

1.06 conflict of interest Social workers should avoid situations that can be identified as a conflict of interest. Should a situation arise that is conflictual, social workers should take necessary steps to protect the client. Conflicts of interest are situations that inhibit professionalism or impartial judgement Social workers should never take advantage of a client for personal reasons Social workers should not have relationships with clients outside of the agency or social work context This includes relationships with former clients as well WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are in a church group with a client at your agency. She finds your number in your church’s directory and calls you at home to talk about problems related to their therapy.

1.07 privacy and confidentiality Social workers must respect client’s privacy. Social workers should not try to gain private information about clients unless it is useful in the client’s treatment. Social workers cannot release client’s private information unless the client gives consent. Social workers must strive to maintain client’s privacy under all circumstances unless there is an imminent danger present. In this event the social worker should try to release as little information as possible. Social workers must alert clients to any possibility of their information being disclosed. Social workers must alert clients to the possibility of their information being disclosed for legal purposes. When working with groups of people, social workers must ensure that all members of the group understand and maintain other member’s privacy Social workers may never discuss client information in any setting that cannot ensure privacy will be maintained. Social workers should ensure that electronic records are kept confidential Social workers must protect client privacy even if services are terminated or the client passes away WHAT WOULD YOU DO: One of your clients dies and his/her family is asking for information that the client may have disclosed to you during your sessions.

1.08 access to records Clients should have access to their records. Clients should also be provided with services to help them understand what is included in their records. When access to records is provided, social workers must maintain client privacy WHAT WOULD YOU DO: A client asks to view their personal records including notes that are taken during sessions. They come across a note that you wrote and interpret is as negative and degrading.

1.09 sexual relationships Social workers must NEVER engage in sexual relationships with clients, past or present. This includes sexual activities or contact whether conscentual or forced. Social workers should not provide clients with services that they have previously had a sexual relationship with. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: One of your colleagues informs you that they are having a sexual relationship with a client outside of the agency.

1.10 physical contact When a possibility of psychological harm is present, social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients. Social workers must be aware of social and cultural boundaries when engaging in physical contact with clients. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are unaware that a client was sexually abused as a child. While in inpatient treatment, they begin acting violently and must be restrained for safety purposes. During the restraining process, they act more aggressively. After they have calmed, they disclose the previous sexual abuse.

1.11 sexual harassment Social workers should never use derogatory language to or about clients. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: In the lunch room you hear one of your colleagues making inappropriate sexual comments about a client seen at the center.

1.12 Derogatory language Social workers must speak respectfully to and about clients WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are a student observing another social worker conducting therapy. While in the session, the client discloses that they have relapsed and began using drugs again. The social worker then says to the client, “Are you stupid or what?”

1.13 payment for services Social workers must make sure that client fees are reasonable and fair Social workers should not accept goods or services as payment for services. Social workers should not charge clients a private fee for services WHAT WOULD YOU DO: A client is very appreciative of your services and brings you a gift basket as a thank- you.

1.14 clients who lack decision making capacity If a client is unable to make their own decisions, social workers must act in the best interests of client and maintain their privacy. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: You are a hospital social worker. The client has a DNR note in their file but the family wishes to have the client on life support if necessary.

1.15 interruption of services Social workers must try to continue services even if the client is unavailable, relocated, ill, disabled, or dies WHAT WOULD YOU DO: One of you clients is moving to another state. They wish to continue therapy services after they move.

1.16 termination of services Social workers must end services when the client is no longer in need of services. Social workers should not abandoned clients that are in need of services or withdraw services before they are no longer needed. Social workers may terminate services with clients that are not paying fees for services as long as careful consideration is given. Services should not be terminated for personal, financial, or social relationships Clients must be notified about the termination of services. If a social worker is leaving employment, they should inform clients and link them with necessary resources to continue services. WHAT WOULD YOU DO: A client successfully got out of a domestically violent relationship with her husband 6 months ago and had been seeing you for therapy ever since. She continues to tell you she is going to make payments to you for your services but has failed to do so.