1. Ethical Considerations for Child Welfare Practice
Amber R. Hebert, LCSW-BACS
Louisiana State University

2. Presenter Bio
Amber R. Hebert earned an MSW in 2003 and is a second year doctoral student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. She currently supervises behavioral health services at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Prior to working in the Correctional Center, Ms. Hebert was a high school teacher and foster care case manager. She also provided private family practice services, custody evaluations, and parenting coordination as requested by the 15th and 16th Judicial Districts. She enjoys working with chronically mentally ill offenders and looks forward to conducting research that will advance services to underserved populations.

3. Objectives
The participants will be able to identify ethics guidelines and consider applicable practice standards in ethical decision-making strategies;
The participants will be able to identify ethical responsibilities to clients (drawn from NASW Code of Ethics);
The participants will be able to identify at least 5 common ethics violations in child welfare practice, regardless of practice setting; and
The participants will gain knowledge of how to identify ethical dilemmas in routine practice.

4. eth·ics /’eTHiks/ Noun
moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior.
the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.

5. vir·tue /ˈvərCHo͞o/ Noun. Moral excellence; goodness; righteousness
Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles
A particular moral excellence

6. Virtues, values & character ethics
Adams, P. (2009). Ethics with Character: Virtues and the ethical social worker. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 3,
Virtues, values & character ethics
Decision making models, professional codes & procedures
Adams, 2009

7. Purpose of Ethics Education
Stimulate the moral imagination & alert to the dimensions of theory & practice
Develop analytic skills in identifying & dealing with issues as they arise
Elicit a sense of moral obligation and personal responsibility for our value choices & decisions
Develop the ability to respond to ethical controversy and ambiguity
Gray, M. & Gibbons, J. (2007). There are no answers, only choices: Teaching ethical decision making in social work. Australian Social Work, 60(2),

8. NASW Code of Ethics Ethical Principles Service Social Justice
Dignity & Worth of the Person
Importance of Human Relationships
Integrity
Competence

9. Ethical Responsibilities to Clients Social Workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the wellbeing of their client.
Commitment to Clients
Self- Determination
Informed Consent
Competence
Cultural Competence
Conflicts of Interest
Privacy & Confidentiality
Access to Records
Sexual Relationships
Physical Contact
Sexual Harassment
Derogatory Language
Payment for Services
Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity
Interruption of Services
Termination of Services

10. Common Ethical Dilemmas
Cultural considerations
Boundaries
Personal bias
Below standard of care
Personal values versus agency policy
Administrative decisions as ethical dilemmas

11. Louisiana State University School of Social Work
Go Forth & Be Ethical! Amber R. Hebert, LCSW-BACS
Louisiana State University
School of Social Work