2/28/2018 POWER CONFERENCE ETHICS SESSION FORMAT OF SESSION LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Part 1: Changes to the Code of Ethics Break

Transcription

1 POWER CONFERENCE ETHICS SESSION Amy Kalb, DSW FORMAT OF SESSION Part 1: Changes to the Code of Ethics Break Part 2: Strategies for Addressing Ethical Dilemmas Break Part 3: Practice Session Small group practice Large group discussion Dismissal LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will be able to: Identify the changes to the NASW Code of Ethics Apply an ethical dilemma screen Engage with various scenarios that are especially time relevant to the changes in the Code and in technology and society 1

2 INTRODUCTION BSW, MSW, DSW Valparaiso University, University of Michigan, and Capella University Practice Fields Domestic Violence-Child advocate, Child Welfare, Community Grants focused on at-risk adolescent girls Educator Aurora University, Aurora, IL (adjunct) Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX WSU INTRODUCTIONS OF YOU What type of Social Work do you practice? What you hope to learn today? Most common ethical issue you see in your practice? SOCIAL WORKER ON THE SHELF Begins each December 1 st on Instagram and the shelf Stephen Baldridge ACU BSW Program Director Makes the Code of Ethics Relevant and Fun! 2

3 PART 1: CHANGES TO THE CODE OF ETHICS Effective January 1, 2018 NASW CODE OF ETHICS Changes went into effective January 1, 2018 Social Workers are responsible for upholding the changes effect Jan. 1st Minor wording changes Major changes regarding technology Necessary to make changes that address new technologies What technology was available when I first started in the field Fax machine and pagers Social Media Usage Do social workers have to guard their social media usage? Necessary to make changes, but keep them general To not discourage new social workers from going into the field To be adaptable to new technology that will come next NEW LANGUAGE Added language to Purpose of the NASW Code includes that ethical standards are applicable to Interactions, relationships, or communications That happen in person or through the use of technology this broadens the range, extent of the code Technology-Assisted social work services include: Computer, mobile and landlines, tablets, video technology, or other electronic or digital devices Digital platforms internet, online social media, chat rooms, text messaging, , and emerging digital appliances Work with individuals, family, group counseling, community organization, administrations, advocacy, mediation, education, supervision, research, evaluation, and other types of social work Changes in Wording Mental and/or Physical Disability Ability Cultural Competence Awareness 3

4 MINOR CHANGES Many sections included the addition of technology to the various areas of the code such as: Informed Consent-explicitly state if Technology will be utilized, such as recordings (audio or video), 3 rd party observation Privacy and Confidentiality how information can/cannot be shared Sexual Relationships and Harassment (social worker to clients, colleagues, or supervisees) can also be via phone, text, on-line, video, etc. Interruption of Services on-line services and connectivity issues, texting with client and responsivity rate Unethical Conduct of Colleagues-includes conduct using technology MINOR CHANGES Be watchful of dual relationships that may arise while using social networking sites or other electronic media Supervision and Consultation Education and Training *Privacy and Confidentiality To respect clients privacy, do not solicit on-line information about client without client permission Does allow for a compelling professional reasons major safety issues Changed wording from imminent harm to a client or others (versus identifiable others) Allows for a broader threat, such as school, business, etc. Informed Consent (1.03 e,f,g,i) When utilizing technology in providing services Verify client identity Verify client location (where are licensed to practice) Can client utilize (intellectually, emotionally, physically) the technology you are attempting to utilize No electronic search without consent-exceptions for serious, imminent harm 4

5 Competence (1.04 d,e) In utilizing technology for social work services Must have skills to properly perform services this way Utilization of strategies to address communication via technology Comply with laws governing the use of technology Ability to safeguard information such as encryption Practice in your state and client in same state Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity (1.05 d) Assess clients access to technology We have a mandate to serve marginalized and impoverished populations Be aware of how the differences in client (culturally and socioeconomically) impact technology use Choose methods of communication understanding the differing abilities and resources of your clients Conflicts of Interest (1.06 e, f, g, h) Avoid Communication with Clients for personal or non-work related reasons via Social networking sites Online chat Text messages Telephone Video Be aware of your own digital profile, what will clients find if they search for me Personal affiliations may affect the relationship with client Social Workers should avoid accepting electronic requests from clients 5

6 Privacy and Confidentiality (1.07 m, n, o, p, q, r) Protect client information Send wrong attachment Lost laptops Password protected flash drives Encryption-so only authorized people can read If breach occurs, client notified Social Media Policy for agency to address various areas that clients are informed about Searching/Gathering client information electronically Social Workers avoid confidential disclosures on professional or other social media sites Access to Records (1.08 b) Clients ability to access their records remotely online Example Patient Portals Evaluation and Research (5.02 f) Clients need to give informed consent when utilizing electronic technology in evaluation or research Ability or Access to utilize the technology to participate PART 2: STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING ETHICAL DILEMMAS 6

7 MISSION OF SOCIAL WORK From the Preamble of the NASW Code of Ethics (2017). 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. SOCIAL WORK CORE VALUES Service Ethical Principle: Social Workers primary goal is to help people in need to address social problems Social Justice Ethical Principle: Social Workers challenge social injustice Dignity and Worth of the Person Ethical Principle: Social Workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person Importance of Human Relationships Ethical Principle: Social Workers recognize the central importance of human relationships Integrity Social Workers behave in a trustworthy manner Competence Social Workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise SOCIAL WORK ETHICS NASW code of Ethics provides a framework for dealing with many practice issues Social Workers have ethical responsibilities: To their Clients To their Colleagues In the Practice Setting As Professionals To the Social Work Profession To Broader Society 7

8 WHAT IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA How would you define an ethical dilemma? No apparent right answer Ethical dilemmas occur when social workers must choose among conflicting professional values, duties, and rights that arise sometimes due to their competing obligations to clients, employers, colleagues, the social work profession, and society at large (Reamer, 2008, p. 144). What are some ethical dilemmas that you deal with on a day to day basis? What are your strategies for resolving those dilemmas? NASW Code of Ethics Supervisor Colleagues Ethical Dilemma Screening Tools ETHICAL PRINCIPLES SCREEN STEPS FOR RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMAS 8

9 PART 3: PRACTICE SESSION PRACTICE SESSIONS In groups we will discuss various scenarios Come up with a couple of options of how it could be handled Present to the larger group about your scenario and the way you feel it should be handled and why FINAL THOUGHTS Questions/Comments? 9

10 REFERENCES Baldridge, S. (December, 2017). Social Worker on the Shelf. s_w_ontheshelf Hobdy, D., Barsky, A., & Reamer, F. (Training on October 24, 2017). The Official National Training of the New NASW Code of Ethics. Lowenberg, F. M., Dolgoff, R., & Herrington, D. (2000). Ethical decisions for social work practice. Ithasca, IL: F. E. Peacock. National Association of Social Workers (NASW), (2017). Code of ethics. Washington, DC: Author. Reamer, F. G. (2008). Ethics and Values. In National Association of Social Worker s Encyclopedia of social work (20 th ed.), pgs Washington, DC: NASW Press. 10