DSS 10149 Social Work Code of Practice October 2024 PDF

DSS 10149 Lecture 4 Introduction to Social Work as a helping profession II: Social Work Code of Practice Prepared by Katie YAU 5 October 2024 Learning Objectives 1. Understand the purposes of the...

DSS 10149 Lecture 4 Introduction to Social Work as a helping profession II: Social Work Code of Practice Prepared by Katie YAU 5 October 2024 Learning Objectives 1. Understand the purposes of the Code of Ethics (NASW) and Code of Practice (SWRB). 2. Strengthen the sensitivity to ethical responsibilities in social work practice. Revision Importance of the values and ethics in social work Importance of the values and ethics in social work Set up the standards. Provide a framework for decision-making. Guidance in juggling the ethical dilemmas. Promote advocacy. Ensure the practice consistency. Emphasize lifelong learning. Encourage self-care. Accountability. The NASW Code of Ethics Core values, function and purposes, and ethical standards (The following slides are only brief in contents. Details should be referred to the NASW website: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English ) Social work core values… (NASW) According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. ❑ Service ❑ Social justice ❑ Dignity and worth of the person ❑ Importance of human relationships ❑ Integrity ❑ Competence Function and purposes of the code of ethics (NASW) Ethical Standards (NASW)…to different parties Clients, Colleagues, Practice Settings, Professionals, Social Work Profession, Broader Society Social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients 1.01 Commitment to clients 1.09 Sexual relationships 1.02 Self-determination 1.10 Physical contact 1.03 Informed consent 1.11 Sexual harassment 1.04 Competence 1.12 Derogatory language (詆毀的用語) 1.05 Cultural competence 1.13 Payment for services 1.06 Conflicts of interest 1.14 Clients who lack decision-making 1.07 Privacy and confidentiality capacity 1.08 Access to records 1.15 Interruption of services 1.16 Referral for services ( https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of- Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers-Ethical- 1.17 Termination of services Responsibilities-to-Clients ) Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues 2.01 Respect 2.06 Sexual Relationships 2.02 Confidentiality 2.07 Sexual Harassment 2.03 Interdisciplinary Collaboration 2.08 Impairment of Colleagues 2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues 2.09 Incompetence of Colleagues 2.05 Consultation 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues (https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics /Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics- English/Social-Workers-Ethical- Responsibilities-to-Colleagues ) Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings 3.01 Supervision and Consultation 3.02 Education and Training 3.03 Performance Evaluation 3.04 Client Records 3.05 Billing 3.06 Client Transfer 3.07 Administration 3.08 Continuing Education and Staff Development 3.09 Commitments to Employers 3.10 Labor-Management Disputes ( https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers- Ethical-Responsibilities-in-Practice-Settings ) Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals 4.01 Competence 4.02 Discrimination 4.03 Private Conduct 4.04 Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception 4.05 Impairment 4.06 Misrepresentation 4.07 Solicitations 4.08 Acknowledging Credit ( https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social- Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-as-Professionals ) Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession 5.01 Integrity of the Profession 5.02 Evaluation and Research https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social- Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-the-Social-Work-Profession Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the broader society 6.01 Social Welfare 6.02 Public Participation 6.03 Public Emergencies 6.04 Social and Political Action https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social- Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-the-Broader-Society The SWRB’s Code of Practice Objectives & purpose, values and beliefs,, and principles & practices (The following slides are only brief in contents. Details should be referred to the SWRB website: https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/Content.asp?Uid=14 )  Primary objective and purposes of the code of practice (SWRB) Primary objective: ❑ Protection of clients and the members of the society at large. ❑ Enhance public trust and confidence in the social work profession. Purpose: 1. Used as a basis for adjudication when the conduct of a social worker is alleged to have violated the standards. https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/Content.asp?Uid=14 Social work basic values and beliefs… (SWRB) (Similar with NASW’s values and ethical principles) 1. Help people in need. (Same as NASW: Service) 2. Respect the unique value and dignity (Same as NASW: respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person) 3. Individuals have the potential to develop (Similar with NASW: enhance clients’ capacity) 4. Accept responsibility to advance social justice. (Same as NASW: challenge social injustice) 5. Believe that society should provide maximum benefits to its members 6. Devote professional knowledge and skills (Similar with NASW: competence and develop) 7. Central importance of human relationships (Same as NASW: central importance) https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/Content.asp?Uid=14 Principles and practices (SWRB)… related to different parties Clients, Colleagues, Agency, Profession, Society.  Principles and practices related to clients (SWRB) Responsibility Primary to clients Cultural awareness Recognize the ethnic and cultural diversity, Acquainted with and sensitive to cultures of clients and appreciate the difference. 3. Informed decision and self-determination Responsibility to inform client of their rights and help them to obtain appropriate services, be informed of obligations and consequences associated with services, Inform clients under compulsion, of their rights and its limit, and to assist them to attain autonomy as possible, Consider the limit of client’s right to self-determination, encourage them to participate as far as possible in decision-making about the goals, alternatives and services available to them. Principles and practices related to clients (SWRB) Use of information and principles of confidentiality Respect clients’ to privacy and confidentiality of the information, subject to other statutory requirements including, in particular the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Clients should be fully informed the limit of confidentiality. Make necessary and responsible efforts to remove all identifying information and to seek consent. Take precautions to ensure and maintain confidentiality of information be transmitted to other parties through use of electronic media. Should inform clients of limitation and risks associated with such services provided via electronic media. Should not discuss confidential information in any setting unless privacy can be ensured. Should protect confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law. Principles and practices related to clients (SWRB) Conflicts of interest Should not abuse the worker-client relationships in pursuit of personal interests. Sexual relationship Should under no circumstances be engaged in any sexual activities or sexual contacts with client. Should not provide clinical services to individuals with whom they have had a prior sexual relationship. Continuation of service Should ensure the clients would not be denied timely services they need because of financial constraints. Billing practice Should establish and maintain billing practices that accurately reflect the nature and extent of the services. Should clearly inform clients of all fee rates and charges before service delivered.  Respect Respect to different opinions and practices. Interdisciplinary collaboration Principles and Should discharge duties and treat co-workers practices related to in a fair and professional manner. colleagues (SWRB) Collaborate as far as possible. Should participate in and contribute to decisions that affect well-being of clients. If ethical concerns, should attempt to resolve the disagreement through appropriate channels. Principles and practices related to colleagues (SWRB) Supervision and training provide supervision or consultation. recognize a supervisor’s educational, support, developmental elements. Should monitor their supervisees to act. Consultation Seek advice. seek consultation only from colleagues who have knowledge, expertise and competence related to the content. should provide information on clients on a need-to-know basis. Principles and practices related to colleagues (SWRB) Client’s right of choice Respect the right of choice. Should not solicit the clients of other social workers. Communications between co-workers Without permission, should not convey to clients any contents of communications between co- workers that are beyond the scope of client’s personal particulars. Sexual relationship As supervisors or educators, should not be engaged in any sexual activities or contacts.  Responsible to the employing agency. Act constructively and responsibly to Principles and influence and improve policies, practices related to procedures, and practice. agency (SWRB) Make clear in any public statements when undertaking public activities. Not use institutional affiliation to recruit clients for private practice without consent of the institution.  Professional responsibilities: maintain honesty, integrity and responsibilities, uphold values and ethics, and advance knowledge, Principles and bring to attention of appropriate bodies any practices related to violation of code of practice that may put clients at risk, profession (SWRB) and should defend other social workers against unjust accusations. Competence: only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification etc., provide services in substantive areas, should exercise judgement carefully.  Respect: in a responsible and constructive manner. Principles and Representation: practices no misrepresentation or false claim. related to Independent practice: profession only within their areas of competence and offer suitable referrals (SWRB) when applicable. Professional development: should upgrade themselves, take responsibility to help the newly entered profession. Call to duty: should respond to calls to duty when an explicit request is made.  Recognize the need to: bring to the attention of policy makers which create, contribute to, or militate Principles and against the relief of hardship and suffering. practices related to advocate changes. society (SWRB) prevent and eliminate discrimination. promote conditions that encourage respect for diversity of cultures. encourage informed participation by the public. References NASW (n.d.). Read the Code of Ethics. National Association of Social Worker. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English Banks, S. (2021). Ethics and values in social work (fifth edition). Red Globe Press. Limestone Blog. (December 6, 2021). Why Are Good Ethics Important in Social Work? Limestone University. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.limestone.edu/blog/ethics-important-social- work SWRB (2013). Code of Practice. Social Workers Registration Board. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/Content.asp?Uid=14