Proposed (Unpublished) Commentary on the
National Association of Social
Workers
CODE OF ETHICS
From an Orthodox Worldview
By
(Words in light print and
headings are the official Code of Ethics.
Words indented and in dark print are the proposed
commentary.)
Effective January 1, 1997
The primary mission of the social work
profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs
of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people
who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining
feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well-being in a
social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is
attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address
problems in living.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is fully supportive of this mission statement. It is compatible with Christian theology that is wholistic including an historic orthodox perspective.
Social workers promote social justice and social
change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers
are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end
discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These
activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing,
supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action,
policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation.
Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own
needs. Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations,
communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social
problems.
It is worth noting that the definition of clients includes groups, organizations, and communities. In discussing social justice and change, the values and cultures of religious groups, organizations, and communities need to be considered. On occasion, the values, missions, and cultures of religious groups, organizations, and communities have been ignored, ridiculed or attacked. In part this is related to a lack of respect for diversity of thought within the profession. A progressive paradigm [1] dominates the profession to such an extent that the standards are frequently interpreted through a lens that minimizes, misinterprets, or denies other perspectives. An orthodox religious worldview, in particular, is denied a legitimate role in the profession.
The power of the progressive paradigm is particularly evident with respect to the operationalization of the concepts of justice and discrimination. In an effort to end discrimination and oppression, some social workers have felt justified in becoming oppressive when dealing with organizations and individuals who have worldviews that are different from their own. This includes the practice of denying students placement in religious organizations because of organizational policies that are based on religious beliefs, rejecting student placements from religiously-affiliated colleges because of the policies of the institution, denying students entrance to social work programs because of religious beliefs, denying employment because of the religious beliefs, attempting to deny accreditation to religiously-affiliated schools that have religiously-based lifestyle expectations, and denying funding to agencies because of religiously-based policies. An historic orthodox Christian worldview extends the call to end discrimination and oppression to orthodox affiliated institutions as well as other groups. . The Code of Ethics does not give priority of one worldview over others.
The mission of the social work profession is
rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers
throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique
purpose and perspective:
• service
• social justice
• dignity and worth of the person
• importance of human relationships
• integrity
• competence.
This constellation of core values reflects what
is unique to the social work profession. Core values, and the principles that flow
from them, must be balanced within the context and complexity of the human
experience.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is fully supportive of this list of values and believes it is consistent with wholistic Christian theology including historic orthodox interpretations of the scriptures.
Professional ethics are at the core of social
work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical
principles, and ethical standards. The NASW
Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide
social workers’ conduct. The Code is relevant to all social workers
and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the
settings in which they work, or the populations they serve.
The NASW
Code of Ethics serves six purposes:
1. The Code identifies core values on which
social work’s mission is based.
2. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles
that reflect the profession’s core values and establishes a set of specific
ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice.
3. The Code is designed to help social workers
identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or
ethical uncertainties arise.
4. The Code provides ethical standards to which
the general public can hold the social work profession accountable.
5. The Code socializes practitioners new to the
field to social work’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical
standards.
6.
The Code articulates standards that the
social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have
engaged in unethical conduct. NASW has formal procedures to adjudicate ethics
complaints filed against its members.1 In subscribing to this
Code, social workers are required to
cooperate in its implementation, participate in NASW adjudication proceedings,
and abide by any NASW disciplinary rulings or sanctions based on it.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview supports the purposes of the Code of Ethics as listed above. It is imperative, however, that different worldviews be respected in the application of values, principles, and standards.
1For
information on NASW adjudication procedures, see NASW Procedures for the Adjudication of Grievances.
The Code
offers a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and
conduct when ethical issues arise. It does not provide a set of rules that
prescribe how social workers should act in all situations. Specific
applications of the Code must take
into account the context in which it is being considered and the possibility of
conflicts among the Code’s values,
principles, and standards. Ethical responsibilities flow from all human
relationships, from the personal and familial to the social and professional.
It is useful to note that the context is recognized as a critical part of ethical application as well as the possibility of conflicts among values, principles, and standards. There will be differences of opinion about contexts and what is considered a conflict, especially between progressive and orthodox worldviews. Care must be taken in interpreting and drawing conclusions about context and conflict across worldviews.
Further, the
NASW Code of Ethics does not specify which values, principles, and
standards are most important and ought to outweigh others in instances when
they conflict. Reasonable differences of opinion can and do exist among social
workers with respect to the ways in which values, ethical principles, and
ethical standards should be rank ordered when they conflict. Ethical decision
making in a given situation must apply the informed judgment of the individual
social worker and should also consider how the issues would be judged in a peer
review process where the ethical standards of the profession would be applied.
The Code recognizes that differences of opinion exist within the profession. It further recognizes that values, ethical principles, and standards will be rank-ordered in different ways. Claims by any group to have the ultimate and only interpretation are not supported in the Code. At the same time, the Code is clear that there must be support among peers for an interpretation of the Code. It is imperative that persons with an orthodox worldview have peer support for their interpretation of the values, principles, and standards. For the most part, the orthodox voice has been missing in the profession.
Ethical decision making is a process. There are
many instances in social work where simple answers are not available to resolve
complex ethical issues. Social workers should take into consideration all the
values, principles, and standards in this Code
that are relevant to any situation in which ethical judgment is warranted.
Social workers’ decisions and actions should be consistent with the spirit as
well as the letter of this Code.
The Code recognizes the complexity of some of the issues social workers face. Life and death issues, worldview conflicts as they relate to lifestyle (including gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender behavior) are among the most complex. Simple answers are expressly rejected. Several of the NASW policy statements, notably the statement on abortion and euthanasia acknowledge the differences in values in the profession related to these issues. The same recognition is not acknowledged with respect to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender behavior. An historic orthodox Christian worldview encourages the profession to acknowledge the diversity of thought that exists within its membership including the orthodox worldview.
In addition to this Code, there are many other sources of information about ethical
thinking that may be useful. Social workers should consider ethical theory and
principles generally, social work theory and research, laws, regulations,
agency policies, and other relevant codes of ethics, recognizing that among
codes of ethics social workers should consider the NASW Code of Ethics as their primary source. Social workers also
should be aware of the impact on ethical decision making of their clients’ and
their own personal values and cultural and religious beliefs and practices.
They should be aware of any conflicts between personal and professional values
and deal with them responsibly. For additional guidance social workers should
consult the relevant literature on professional ethics and ethical decision
making and seek appropriate consultation when faced with ethical dilemmas. This
may involve consultation with an agency-based or social work organization’s
ethics committee, a regulatory body, knowledgeable colleagues, supervisors, or
legal counsel.
A clearly developed ethical foundation for decision-making process needs to undergird the interpretation of values, principles, and standards. This is true for persons with an orthodox worldview as well as a progressive worldview. An historic orthodox Christian worldview is concerned that the progressive worldview has dominated the profession for such a long time that some social workers cannot envision nor understand the merit of any other perspective. As a consequence alternate interpretations are inappropriately labeled as unjust and oppressive.
Instances may arise when social workers’ ethical
obligations conflict with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations. When
such conflicts occur, social workers must make a responsible effort to resolve
the conflict in a manner that is consistent with the values, principles, and
standards expressed in this Code. If
a reasonable resolution of the conflict does not appear possible, social
workers should seek proper consultation before making a decision.
The Code acknowledges that ethical dilemmas with respect to agency policies or relevant laws or regulations may occur. It needs to be recognized that ethical dilemmas happen in many different contexts including the dilemmas experienced by religiously sensitive social workers when agencies refuse to deal with the religious or spiritual aspects of individuals, dilemmas experienced by secular social workers who work in religiously affiliated organizations, dilemmas experienced by progressively oriented social workers in organizations that are more oriented to an orthodox worldview, and dilemmas experienced by orthodox oriented social workers in organizations with a more progressive worldview. An historic orthodox Christian worldview is concerned that there is not equanimity in identifying ethical dilemmas
The NASW
Code of Ethics is to be used by NASW and by individuals, agencies,
organizations, and bodies (such as licensing and regulatory boards,
professional liability insurance providers, courts of law, agency
boards of directors, government agencies, and other professional groups) that
choose to adopt it or use it as a frame of reference. Violation of standards in
this Code does not automatically
imply legal liability or violation of the law. Such determination can only be
made in the context of legal and judicial proceedings. Alleged violations of
the Code would be subject to a peer
review process. Such processes are generally separate from legal or
administrative procedures and insulated from legal review or proceedings to
allow the profession to counsel and discipline its own members.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview acknowledges that there are Christians who accept a progressive worldview as well as an orthodox worldview. An historic orthodox Christian worldview encourages sensitivity to all religious perspectives. Because of the prevalence of the progressive paradigm, An historic orthodox Christian worldview believes the greatest challenge will be with persons who embrace an historic orthodox Christian perspective.
A code of ethics cannot guarantee ethical
behavior. Moreover, a code of ethics cannot resolve all ethical issues or
disputes or capture the richness and complexity involved in striving to make
responsible choices within a moral community. Rather, a code of ethics sets
forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals
aspire and by which their actions can be judged. Social workers’ ethical
behavior should result from their personal commitment to engage in ethical
practice. The NASW Code of Ethics
reflects the commitment of all social workers to uphold the profession’s values
and to act ethically. Principles and standards must be applied by individuals
of good character who discern moral questions and, in good faith, seek to make
reliable ethical judgments.
The existence of the moral aspect of the Code and the need for a community to discern moral questions is recognized. An historic orthodox Christian worldview believes that the Christian community has a right and responsibility to be involved in this discerning process. It recognizes that a Christian perspective on moral questions will be different from some other perspectives. The Code does not indicate that any specific community has a monopoly on discerning moral questions.
The following broad ethical principles are based
on social work’s core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of
the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These
principles set forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire.
Value: Service
Ethical
Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address
social problems.
Social workers elevate service to others above
self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to
help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are
encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no
expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service).
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them.
Value: Social
Justice
Ethical
Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
Social workers pursue social change,
particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and
groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily
on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social
injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about
oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure
access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity;
and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them. Social and economic justice has a long and rich tradition in Christian thought. There can be considerable differences between definitions of social justice, however. This is especially true between progressive and orthodox worldviews. The Code does define or judge different definitions of justice. Claims to having the only legitimate perspective should be challenged.
Value: Dignity
and Worth of the Person
Ethical
Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
Social workers treat each person in a caring and
respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic
diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible
self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and
opportunity to change and to address their own needs. Social workers are
cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients and to the broader society.
They seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader
society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the
values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them. It should be noted that self-determination is balanced by a responsibility to broader society. An orthodox worldview may result in a different balance between individual rights and social well-being than those with a progressive worldview. Persons who believe the evidence suggests that a traditional family structure and the life and death issues of euthanasia and abortion are critical to the well-being of society have an ethical obligation to voice their concern. Careful thought and sound ethical decision-making needs to be given to the tension between self-determination and social well-being. Differences in private and public policy need to be clearly articulated.
Value: Importance
of Human Relationships
Ethical
Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.
Social workers understand that relationships between
and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage
people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen
relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore,
maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups,
organizations, and communities.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them.
Value: Integrity
Ethical
Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
Social workers are continually aware of the
profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and
practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers act honestly and
responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with
which they are affiliated.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them. Persons with An historic orthodox Christian worldview will at times interpret the values, principles, and standards in ways that are different from persons with a progressive worldview. The ethical practices they promote may differ as well at points.
Value: Competence
Ethical
Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop
and enhance their professional expertise.
Social workers continually strive to increase
their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Social
workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this value and ethical principle and believes a wholistic Christian theology is compatible with them. Diversity of thought needs to be supported in the social work profession. The logic, theories and empirical evidence from all perspectives, including an orthodox perspective, needs to made available to social workers.
The following ethical standards are relevant to
the professional
activities of all social workers. These standards concern (1)
social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients, (2) social workers’
ethical responsibilities to colleagues, (3) social workers’ ethical
responsibilities in practice settings, (4) social workers’ ethical
responsibilities as professionals, (5) social workers’ ethical responsibilities
to the social work profession, and (6) social workers’ ethical responsibilities
to the broader society.
Some of the standards that follow are
enforceable guidelines for professional conduct, and some are aspirational. The extent to which each standard is
enforceable is a matter of professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible
for reviewing alleged violations of ethical standards.
It is important that different worldviews be understood
and respected when evaluating compliance with the standards. An historic orthodox Christian worldview
believes that there is a danger that those with a progressive worldview may
inappropriately conclude that interpretations of the standards based on
worldviews other than their own are violations of the standards. This is particularly true with respect to
social work practice related to sensitive social issues such as euthanasia,
abortion, and lifestyle issues including homosexual behavior. It is important that persons with sensitivity
to an orthodox worldview be involved in judging alleged violations.
1.01 Commitment to Clients
Social workers’ primary responsibility is to
promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients’ interests are primary.
However, social workers’ responsibility to the larger society or specific legal
obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and
clients should be so advised. (Examples include when a social worker is
required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to
harm self or others.)
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this standard. It acknowledges that orthodox and progressive perspectives may differ considerably as to which social concerns deserve to supersede client loyalty. Abortion, sexual behavior, gambling, control of pornographic material have been especially contentious historically. As noted in the Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics section, specific rules are not provided in such matters. Further, the Code acknowledges that there may be reasonable differences of opinion about the relative ranking of values, principles, and standards. The NASW policy statements identify one interpretation but Code does not require that all social workers follow these policies.
1.02 Self-Determination
Social workers respect and promote the right of
clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify
and clarify their goals. Social workers may limit clients’ right to
self-determination when, in the social workers’ professional judgment, clients’
actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to
themselves or others.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this standard. Christian theologies that endorse the concept of human free are compatible with this standard. Persons with an orthodox worldview may reach different conclusions as to what actions are serious, foreseeable, and of imminent risk to persons or others. Among the most controversial is the right of persons to try to change sexual preference or behavior. The Code of Ethics supports this right if so desired by clients.
1.03 Informed
Consent
(a) Social workers should provide services to
clients only in the context of a professional relationship based, when
appropriate, on valid informed consent. Social workers should use clear and
understandable language to inform clients of the purpose of the services, risks
related to the services, limits to services because of the requirements of a
third-party payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, clients’ right to
refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the consent. Social
workers should provide clients with an opportunity to ask questions.
(b)
In instances when clients are not literate or have difficulty understanding the
primary language used in the practice setting, social workers should take steps
to ensure clients’ comprehension. This may include providing clients with a
detailed verbal explanation or arranging for a qualified interpreter or
translator whenever possible.
(c) In instances when clients lack the capacity
to provide informed consent, social workers should protect clients’ interests
by seeking permission from an appropriate third party, informing clients
consistent with the clients’ level of understanding. In such instances social
workers should seek to ensure that the third party acts in a manner consistent
with clients’ wishes and interests. Social workers should take reasonable steps
to enhance such clients’ ability to give informed consent.
(d) In instances when clients are receiving
services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the
nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients’ right to refuse
service.
(e) Social workers who provide services via electronic
media (such as computer, telephone, radio, and television) should inform
recipients of the limitations and risks associated with such services.
(f) Social workers should obtain clients’
informed consent before audiotaping or videotaping
clients or permitting observation of services to clients by a third party.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
1.04 Competence
(a) Social workers should provide services and
represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their
education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised
experience, or other relevant professional experience.
(b)
Social workers should provide services in substantive areas or use intervention
techniques or approaches that are new to them only after engaging in
appropriate study, training, consultation, and supervision from people who are
competent in those interventions or techniques.
(c) When generally recognized standards do not
exist with respect to an emerging area of practice, social workers should
exercise careful judgment and take responsible steps (including appropriate
education, research, training, consultation, and supervision) to ensure the
competence of their work and to protect clients from harm.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
It believes that spiritual and religious interventions and services are
among those that should be included but have often been neglected.
1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity
(a) Social workers should understand culture and
its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that
exist in all cultures.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
The contribution of religion to the lives of individuals, communities,
and to society has been long overlooked by social workers. An historic orthodox Christian worldview
holds that increased attention to the role or religion is needed.
(b)
Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ cultures and be
able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive
to clients’ cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
It believes that there is a significant gap in knowledge about religious
services, religious belief, and religious practice in the profession. Especially neglected and misunderstood are
persons who have a more conservative religious worldview. Social workers need to become increasingly
proficient at assessing the religious and spiritual aspect of client's lives.
(c) Social workers should obtain education about
and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect
to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age,
marital status, political belief, religion, and mental or physical disability.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of this standard. It suggests that increased educational attention be given to religion, especially those with orthodox worldviews. There are a number of ethical dilemmas that emerge when various diverse groups are juxtaposed. Especially difficult are questions about sexual orientation and orthodox theological beliefs. An historic orthodox Christian worldview believes that the controversy is not about sexual orientation but sexual behavior. Persons with An historic orthodox Christian worldview believe that it is in society's best interest to have social policies that direct sexual intimacy to heterosexual married adults. While persons with a progressive worldview tend to compare sexual orientation to race or gender, person from a orthodox perspective compare sexual orientation to alcoholism.
1.06 Conflicts of Interest
(a)
Social workers should be alert to and avoid
conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional
discretion and impartial judgment. Social workers should inform clients when a
real or potential conflict of interest arises and take reasonable steps to
resolve the issue in a manner that makes the clients’ interests primary and
protects clients’ interests to the greatest extent possible. In some cases,
protecting clients’ interests may require termination of the professional
relationship with proper referral of the client.
(b)
Social workers should not take unfair advantage of any professional
relationship or exploit others to further their personal, religious, political,
or business interests.
(c) Social workers should not engage in dual or
multiple relationships with clients or former clients in
which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client.
In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, social
workers should take steps to protect clients and are responsible for setting
clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. (Dual or multiple
relationships occur when social workers relate to
clients in more than one relationship, whether professional, social, or business.
Dual or multiple relationships can occur simultaneously or consecutively.)
(d) When
social workers provide services to two or more people who have a relationship
with each other (for example, couples, family members), social workers should
clarify with all parties which individuals will be considered clients and the
nature of social workers’ professional obligations to the various individuals
who are receiving services. Social workers who anticipate a conflict of
interest among the individuals receiving services or who anticipate having to
perform in potentially conflicting roles (for example, when a social worker is
asked to testify in a child custody dispute or divorce proceedings involving
clients) should clarify their role with the parties involved and take
appropriate action to minimize any conflict of interest.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive of these standards. It points out that among the potential conflicts of interest are those that emerge when the worldviews of clients and social workers clash. This is as true of social workers with a progressive worldview who are working with clients who are more orthodox as it is of social workers who have an orthodox worldview and are working with clients with a more progressive worldview. In both cases, clients should be informed when personal values and worldview impinge on the helping process. Clients should be referred to someone who can help when the values of a social worker may limit the help desired as in the case of a client desiring an abortion or someone who wants to control sexual behavior or modify a sexual preference.
1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality
(a) Social
workers should respect clients’ right to privacy. Social workers should not
solicit private information from clients unless it is essential to providing
services or conducting social work evaluation or research. Once private
information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply.
(b)
Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with
valid consent from a client or a person legally authorized to consent on behalf
of a client.
(c) Social
workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the
course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons. The
general expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does
not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and
imminent harm to a client or other identifiable person or when laws or
regulations require disclosure without a client’s consent. In all instances,
social workers should disclose the least amount of confidential information
necessary to achieve the desired purpose; only information that is directly
relevant to the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed.
(d) Social workers should inform clients, to the
extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential information and the
potential consequences, when feasible before the disclosure is made. This
applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis
of a legal requirement or client consent.
(e) Social
workers should discuss with clients and other interested parties the nature of
confidentiality and limitations of clients’ right to confidentiality. Social
workers should review with clients circumstances where
confidential information may be requested and where disclosure of confidential
information may be legally required. This discussion should occur as soon as possible
in the social worker–client relationship and as needed throughout the course of
the relationship.
(f) When social workers provide counseling
services to families, couples, or groups, social workers should seek agreement
among the parties involved concerning each individual’s right to
confidentiality and obligation to preserve the confidentiality of information
shared by others. Social workers should inform participants in family, couples,
or group counseling that social workers cannot guarantee that all participants
will honor such agreements.
(g) Social workers should inform clients
involved in family, couples, marital, or group counseling of the social
worker’s, employer’s, and agency’s policy concerning the social worker’s
disclosure of confidential information among the parties involved in the
counseling.
(h)
Social workers should not disclose confidential information to third-party
payers unless clients have authorized such disclosure.
(i) Social workers
should not discuss confidential information in any setting unless privacy can
be ensured. Social workers should not discuss confidential information in
public or semipublic areas such as hallways, waiting rooms, elevators, and
restaurants.
(j) Social
workers should protect the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings
to the extent permitted by law. When a court of law or other legally authorized
body orders social workers to disclose confidential or privileged information
without a client’s consent and such disclosure could cause harm to the client,
social workers should request that the court withdraw the order or limit the
order as narrowly as possible or maintain the records under seal, unavailable
for public inspection.
(k) Social
workers should protect the confidentiality of clients when responding to
requests from members of the media.
(l) Social workers should protect the
confidentiality of clients’ written and electronic records and other sensitive
information. Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that
clients’ records are stored in a secure location and that clients’ records are
not available to others who are not authorized to have access.
(m) Social workers should take precautions to
ensure and maintain the confidentiality of information transmitted to other
parties through the use of computers, electronic mail, facsimile machines,
telephones and telephone answering machines, and other electronic or computer
technology. Disclosure of identifying information should be avoided whenever
possible.
(n)
Social workers should transfer or dispose of clients’ records in a manner that
protects clients’ confidentiality and is consistent with state statutes
governing records and social work licensure.
(o)
Social workers should take reasonable precautions to protect client
confidentiality in the event of the social worker’s termination of practice,
incapacitation, or death.
(p)
Social workers should not disclose identifying information when discussing
clients for teaching or training purposes unless the client has consented to
disclosure of confidential information.
(q)
Social workers should not disclose identifying information when discussing
clients with consultants unless the client has consented to disclosure of
confidential information or there is a compelling need for such disclosure.
(r) Social workers should protect the
confidentiality of deceased clients consistent with the preceding standards.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
1.08 Access to Records
(a) Social workers should provide clients with
reasonable access to records concerning the clients. Social workers who are
concerned that clients’ access to their records could cause serious
misunderstanding or harm to the client should provide assistance in interpreting
the records and consultation with the client regarding the records. Social
workers should limit clients’ access to their records, or portions of their
records, only in exceptional circumstances when there is compelling evidence
that such access would cause serious harm to the client. Both clients’ requests
and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be
documented in clients’ files.
(b)
When providing clients with access to their records, social workers should take
steps to protect the confidentiality of other individuals identified or
discussed in such records.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
1.09 Sexual Relationships
(a) Social
workers should under no circumstances engage in sexual activities or sexual
contact with current clients, whether such contact is consensual or forced.
(b)
Social workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with
clients’ relatives or other individuals with whom clients maintain a close
personal relationship when there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to
the client. Sexual activity or sexual contact with clients’ relatives or other
individuals with whom clients maintain a personal relationship has the
potential to be harmful to the client and may make it difficult for the social
worker and client to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Social
workers—not their clients, their clients’ relatives, or other individuals with
whom the client maintains a personal relationship—assume the full burden for
setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.
(c) Social
workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with former
clients because of the potential for harm to the client. If social workers
engage in conduct contrary to this prohibition or claim that an exception to
this prohibition is warranted because of extraordinary circumstances, it is
social workers—not their clients—who assume the full burden of demonstrating
that the former client has not been exploited, coerced, or manipulated,
intentionally or unintentionally.
(d)
Social workers should not provide clinical services to individuals with whom
they have had a prior sexual relationship. Providing clinical services to a
former sexual partner has the potential to be harmful to the individual and is
likely to make it difficult for the social worker and individual to maintain
appropriate professional boundaries.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
1.10 Physical Contact
Social workers should not engage in physical
contact with clients when there is a possibility of psychological harm to the
client as a result of the contact (such as cradling or caressing clients).
Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are
responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries
that govern such physical contact.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
1.11 Sexual Harassment
Social workers should not sexually harass
clients. Sexual harassment includes sexual advances, sexual solicitation,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
1.12 Derogatory Language
Social workers should not use derogatory
language in their written or verbal communications to or about clients. Social
workers should use accurate and respectful language in all communications to
and about clients.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
1.13 Payment for Services
(a) When setting fees, social workers should ensure
that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services
performed. Consideration should be given to clients’ ability to pay.
(b)
Social workers should avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment
for professional services. Bartering arrangements, particularly involving
services, create the potential for conflicts of interest, exploitation, and
inappropriate boundaries in social workers’ relationships with clients. Social
workers should explore and may participate in bartering only in very limited
circumstances when it can be demonstrated that such arrangements are an
accepted practice among professionals in the local community, considered to be
essential for the provision of services, negotiated without coercion, and entered
into at the client’s initiative and with the client’s informed consent. Social
workers who accept goods or services from clients as payment for professional
services assume the full burden of demonstrating that this arrangement will not
be detrimental to the client or the professional relationship.
(c)
Social
workers should not solicit a private fee or other remuneration for providing
services to clients who are entitled to such available services through the
social workers’ employer or agency.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
1.14 Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity
When social workers act on behalf of clients who
lack the capacity to make informed decisions, social workers should take
reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
1.15 Interruption of Services
Social workers should make reasonable efforts to
ensure continuity of services in the event that services are interrupted by
factors such as unavailability, relocation, illness, disability, or death.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
1.16 Termination of Services
(a) Social workers should terminate services to
clients and professional relationships with them when such services and
relationships are no longer required or no longer serve the clients’ needs or
interests.
(b)
Social workers should take reasonable steps to avoid abandoning clients who are
still in need of services. Social workers should withdraw services
precipitously only under unusual circumstances, giving careful consideration to
all factors in the situation and taking care to minimize possible adverse
effects. Social workers should assist in making appropriate arrangements for
continuation of services when necessary.
(c) Social
workers in fee-for-service settings may terminate services to clients who are
not paying an overdue balance if the financial contractual arrangements have
been made clear to the client, if the client does not pose an imminent danger
to self or others, and if the clinical and other consequences of the current
nonpayment have been addressed and discussed with the client.
(d)
Social workers should not terminate services to pursue a social, financial, or
sexual relationship with a client.
(e) Social
workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of services to clients
should notify clients promptly and seek the transfer, referral, or continuation
of services in relation to the clients’ needs and preferences.
(f) Social workers who are leaving an employment
setting should inform clients of appropriate options for the continuation of
services and of the benefits and risks of the options.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.01 Respect
(a) Social workers should treat colleagues with respect
and should represent accurately and fairly the qualifications, views, and
obligations of colleagues.
(b) Social
workers should avoid unwarranted negative criticism of colleagues in
communications with clients or with other professionals. Unwarranted negative
criticism may include demeaning comments that refer to colleagues’ level of
competence or to individuals’ attributes such as race, ethnicity, national
origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief,
religion, and mental or physical disability.
(c) Social
workers should cooperate with social work colleagues and with colleagues of
other professions when such cooperation serves the well-being of clients.
This standard applies to
diverse worldviews including cooperation with social worker colleagues who hold
orthodox religious views. Conditions
that lead to the fear of intimidation that some persons with religious
affiliation feel in academic institutions or agencies need to be changed.
2.02 Confidentiality
Social workers should respect confidential
information shared by colleagues in the course of their professional
relationships and transactions. Social workers should ensure that such
colleagues understand social workers’ obligation to respect confidentiality and
any exceptions related to it.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
2.03 Interdisciplinary Collaboration
(a) Social workers who are members of an
interdisciplinary team should participate in and contribute to decisions that
affect the well-being of clients by drawing on the perspectives, values, and
experiences of the social work profession. Professional and ethical obligations
of the interdisciplinary team as a whole and of its individual members should
be clearly established.
(b)
Social workers for whom a team decision raises ethical concerns should attempt
to resolve the disagreement through appropriate channels. If the disagreement
cannot be resolved, social workers should pursue other avenues to address their
concerns consistent with client well-being.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues
(a) Social workers should not take advantage of a
dispute between a colleague and an employer to obtain a position or otherwise
advance the social workers’ own interests.
(b)
Social workers should not exploit clients in disputes with colleagues or engage
clients in any inappropriate discussion of conflicts between social workers and
their colleagues.
An historic orthodox Christian worldview is supportive
of these standards.
2.05 Consultation
(a) Social workers should seek the advice and
counsel of colleagues whenever such consultation is in the best interests of
clients.
(b)
Social workers should keep themselves informed about colleagues’ areas of
expertise and competencies. Social workers should seek consultation only from
colleagues who have demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and competence related
to the subject of the consultation.
(c) When
consulting with colleagues about clients, social workers should disclose the
least amount of information necessary to achieve the purposes of the
consultation.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.06 Referral for Services
(a) Social workers should refer clients to other
professionals when the other professionals’ specialized knowledge or expertise is
needed to serve clients fully or when social workers believe that they are not
being effective or making reasonable progress with clients and that additional
service is required.
(b)
Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should take appropriate
steps to facilitate an orderly transfer of responsibility. Social workers who
refer clients to other professionals should disclose, with clients’ consent,
all pertinent information to the new service providers.
(c) Social workers are prohibited from giving or
receiving payment for a referral when no professional service is provided by
the referring social worker.
Referring to others may be
necessary when personal values of the social worker conflict with the client as
in the case of euthanasia, abortion, lifestyle choices, family structuring, and
so on. This applies as much to social
workers who have progressive values as those with orthodox values.
2.07 Sexual Relationships
(a) Social workers who function as supervisors
or educators should not engage in sexual activities or contact with
supervisees, students, trainees, or other colleagues over whom they exercise
professional authority.
(b)
Social workers should avoid engaging in sexual relationships with colleagues
when there is potential for a conflict of interest. Social workers who become
involved in, or anticipate becoming involved in, a sexual relationship with a
colleague have a duty to transfer professional responsibilities, when
necessary, to avoid a conflict of interest.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.08 Sexual Harassment
Social workers should not sexually harass
supervisees, students, trainees, or colleagues. Sexual harassment includes
sexual advances, sexual solicitation, requests for sexual favors, and other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
2.09 Impairment of Colleagues
(a) Social workers who have direct knowledge of a
social work colleague’s impairment that is due to personal problems,
psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties and that
interferes with practice effectiveness should consult with that colleague when
feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.
(b)
Social workers who believe that a social work colleague’s impairment interferes
with practice effectiveness and that the colleague has not taken adequate steps
to address the impairment should take action through appropriate channels
established by employers, agencies, NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, and
other professional organizations.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.10 Incompetence of Colleagues
(a) Social workers who have direct knowledge of
a social work colleague’s incompetence should consult with that colleague when
feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.
(b)
Social workers who believe that a social work colleague is incompetent and has
not taken adequate steps to address the incompetence should take action through
appropriate channels established by employers, agencies, NASW, licensing and
regulatory bodies, and other professional organizations.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
2.11 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues
(a) Social workers should take adequate measures
to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of
colleagues.
(b)
Social workers should be knowledgeable about established policies and
procedures for handling concerns about colleagues’ unethical behavior. Social
workers should be familiar with national, state, and local procedures for
handling ethics complaints. These include policies and procedures created by
NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, employers, agencies, and other
professional organizations.
(c) Social
workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should seek
resolution by discussing their concerns with the colleague when feasible and
when such discussion is likely to be productive.
(d)
When necessary, social workers who believe that a colleague has acted
unethically should take action through appropriate formal channels (such as
contacting a state licensing board or regulatory body, an NASW committee on
inquiry, or other professional ethics committees).
(e) Social
workers should defend and assist colleagues who are unjustly charged with
unethical conduct.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
3.01 Supervision and Consultation
(a) Social workers who provide supervision or
consultation should have the necessary knowledge and skill to supervise or
consult appropriately and should do so only within their areas of knowledge and
competence.
(b)
Social workers who provide supervision or consultation are responsible for
setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.
(c) Social
workers should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with
supervisees in which there is a risk of exploitation
of or potential harm to the supervisee.
(d)
Social workers who provide supervision should evaluate supervisees’ performance
in a manner that is fair and respectful.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
3.02 Education and Training
(a) Social workers who function as educators, field
instructors for students, or trainers should provide instruction only within
their areas of knowledge and competence and should provide instruction based on
the most current information and knowledge available in the profession.
(b)
Social workers who function as educators or field instructors for students
should evaluate students’ performance in a manner that is fair and respectful.
(c) Social
workers who function as educators or field instructors for students should take
reasonable steps to ensure that clients are routinely informed when services
are being provided by students.
(d)
Social workers who function as educators or field instructors for students
should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with students in which
there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the student. Social work
educators and field instructors are responsible for setting clear, appropriate,
and culturally sensitive boundaries.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of these standards.
3.03 Performance Evaluation
Social workers who have responsibility for
evaluating the performance of others should fulfill such responsibility in a
fair and considerate manner and on the basis of clearly stated criteria.
An historic orthodox Christian
worldview is supportive of this standard.
3.04 Client Records
(a) Social workers should take reasonable steps
to ensure that documentation in records is accurate and reflects the services
provided.
(b)
Social workers should include sufficient and timely documentation in records to
facilitate the delivery of services and to ensure continuity of services
provided to clients in the future.
(c) Social
workers’ documentation should protect clients’ privacy to the extent that is possible
and appropriate and should include only information that is directly relevant
to the delivery of services.