Social workers should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. The NASW Code of Ethics strictly protects client confidentiality. Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability. The principles of self-care, cultural competence, and cultural humility should be viewed as ongoing commitments to awareness, learning, integrity, and best practices. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Social workers should act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work. Instances may arise when social workers ethical obligations conflict with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations. Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should obtain voluntary and written informed consent from participants, when appropriate, without any implied or actual deprivation or penalty for refusal to participate; without undue inducement to participate; and with due regard for participants wellbeing, privacy, and dignity. As Dawn Hobdy noted, among the professional complaints received by the NASW National Ethics Committee, many of the ethical problems may be connected to personal issues in the social workers life (e.g., a social worker who is going through a challenging divorce, experiencing depression, or struggling with financial concerns). Cultural Competence, Awareness, Sensitivity, Humility, and Responsiveness: What's the Difference?). Both clients requests and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be documented in clients files. Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients written and electronic records and other sensitive information. 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. The NASW Code of Ethics offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision-making and everyday professional conduct of social workers. Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that employers are aware of social workers ethical obligations as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics and of the implications of those obligations for social work practice. To minimize possible confusion and conflict, social workers should discuss with potential clients the nature of the clients current relationship with other service providers and the implications, including possible benefits or risks, of entering into a relationship with a new service provider. Zero uses of phrase human rights, seven of social justice, four of human needs. Demonstrate means responding and doing, not just being aware, feeling, knowing, or thinking. 2023 National Association of Social Workers. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the professions core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice. and to advance sound social policies. Over time, the NASW Code of Ethics has been recognized as the most visible and influential code of ethics in the United States. . To View The Code of Ethics as a PDFClick Here. Social workers may limit clients right to selfdetermination when, in the social workers professional judgment, clients actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others. By using the term must, this revision creates a positive duty on social workers to take action against oppression, racism, discrimination, and inequities, and acknowledge personal privilege.. The NASW Code of Ethics continues to be updated. Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. 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. 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. 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 carefully examine relevant issues and their possible impact on clients before deciding on a course of action. Additionally, they are offering, The 2021 amendments are limited to the following sections of the Code: Purpose of the NASW, NASW is not a licensing body and therefore has no jurisdiction over state licensing requirements. Records should be maintained for the number of years required by state statutes or relevant contracts. The NASW Code of Ethics reflects the commitment of all social workers to uphold the professions values and to act ethically. In 2020 and 2021 the Delegate Assembly of the National Association of Social Workers approved substantive amendments to the NASW Code of Ethics. I have been writing to leaders of NASW for years hoping human rights would be in the next code of ethics. The Code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct. How do we hold social work professionals and organizations accountable regarding self-care? Social workers who provide supervision should evaluate supervisees performance in a manner that is fair and respectful. This addition is meant to educate social workers, social work organizations, and others about the fundamental role of self-care in social work. Social workers should inform clients involved in family, couples, marital, or group counseling of the social workers, employers, and agencys policy concerning the social workers disclosure of confidential information among the parties involved in the counseling. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people. Webinar: "Understanding the NASW Code of Ethics" Earn 3 Ethics CEs while exploring the evolution of social work ethics through the lens of the NASW Code of Ethics. Social workers perform their roles and responsibilities within three interrelated levels of practice: micro, mezzo, and macro. (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. These activities may include teaching, research, consultation, service, legislative testimony, presentations in the community, and participation in their professional organizations. NASW works to enhance the professional Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions. more than 1 year ago. Treating clients and community members as experts in their own cultures builds on the principle of respect for the dignity and worth of all people. Social workers must take action against oppression, racism, discrimination, and inequities, and acknowledge personal privilege. Social workers social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. Social workers should respect clients right to privacy. 3.08 Continuing Education and Staff Development. 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 thirdparty payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, clients right to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the consent. 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. Over time, the NASW Code of Ethics has come to be recognized in the United States as the most visible and influential code of ethics in social work. When a court of law or other legally authorized body orders social workers to disclose confidential or privileged information without a clients 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. To view the updated NASW Code of Ethics in English or Spanish, as well as pre-order a copy of the code, go to: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics. The 2021 update includes language that addresses the importance of professional self-care. 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. 1.03 Informed Consent, 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity. Social workers who provide supervision or consultation are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. Social workers should routinely review the professional literature and participate in continuing education relevant to social work practice and social work ethics. All Rights Reserved. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. Social workers should inform participants of any limits of confidentiality, the measures that will be taken to ensure confidentiality, and when any records containing research data will be destroyed. Sherry Gaba, LCSW, speaks with us about co-dependency, love addiction, and toxic relationships. Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons. 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, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical disability. In 1960, the NASW Code of Ethics consisted of 14 proclamations concerning, for example, every social worker's duty to give . Social workers elevate service to others above self- interest. Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. As social work ethicist Dr. Frederic Reamer often explains, one of the primary roles of a code of ethics is to educate. Continuing education and staff development should address current knowledge and emerging developments related to social work practice and ethics. Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should take appropriate steps to facilitate an orderly transfer of responsibility. Agency policy In addition to consulting relevant ethics standards, laws, and regulations, social workers employed in agencies should also contact . NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review, 1-800-638-8799 750 1st Street, NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002 . Shortly after the publishing of the 1960 Code of Ethics, social workers became concerned with the Code's suggestions for handling ethical dilemmas. The NASW Code of Ethics is available for sale at https://naswpress.org/product/53535/code-of-ethics, What sections of the NASW Code of Ethics were. Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should protect participants from unwarranted physical or mental distress, harm, danger, or deprivation. Core values, and the principles that flow from them, must be balanced within the context and complexity of the human experience. Supervisors and peer consultants may assist with heightening critical reflection and awareness. Social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements (including solicitation of consent to use a clients prior statement as a testimonial endorsement) from current clients or from other people who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence. Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law. Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should ensure the anonymity or confidentiality of participants and of the data obtained from them. There is overlap between advocating for human rights, human trafficking victims, victims of sexual violence, anti racism, and cultural humility. Social workers should not allow an employing organizations policies, procedures, regulations, or administrative orders to interfere with their ethical practice of social work. https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021CoE.html. 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