CSWE Ethical and Professional Behavior

Question 1

What are the core values of the social work profession?

Answer 1

service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence

Question 2

What is the purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 2

The code sets ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable and identifies core values on which the social work mission is based.

Question 3

What is service? (Ethical Principle)

Answer 3

Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems

Question 4

What is social justice? (ethical principle)

Answer 4

Social workers challenge social injustice

Question 5

What is dignity and worth of the person? (ethical principle)

Answer 5

Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person

Question 6

What is the importance of human relationships? (ethical principle)

Answer 6

Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships

Question 7

What is integrity? (ethical principle)

Answer 7

Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner

Question 8

What is competence? (ethical principle)

Answer 8

Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise

Question 9

1.01 Commitment to Clients

Answer 9

Responsibility of social workers to promote the well-being of clients UNLESS client is harm to others. Then confidentiality breaks.

Question 10

1.02 Self Determination

Answer 10

Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in efforts to identify and clarify their goals, unless potential actions are a risk to themselves or others

Question 11

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 11

Social workers should provide services and inform clients on every part of the service with clear language. They should take action if clients are illiterate or have a language barrier. Social workers should inform clients about their right to refuse service and use of technology.

Question 12

1.04 Competence

Answer 12

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 professional experience.

Question 13

1.05 Cultural Competence

Answer 13

Social workers should demonstrate awareness and cultural humility by engaging in critical self-reflecting and engaging in self correction as well as educating themselves on different cultural identities

Question 14

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 14

Social workers should be alert to avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment. Not taking advantage of professional relationships to further their own interest or engaging in dual relationships.

Question 15

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 15

Social workers should only disclose information with the consent of client and respect the clients’ right to privacy and should not seek information from them. Social workers keep confidentiality unless required by law as mandated reporters to share information.

Question 16

1.08 Access to Records

Answer 16

Social workers should provide clients with reasonable access to records concerning the client and social workers should limit clients’ access to their records in case they cause severe misunderstanding.

Question 17

1.09 Sexual Relationships

Answer 17

Social workers should under no circumstances engage in sexual activities, inappropriate sexual communications through the use of technology or in person, or sexual contact with current clients whether it is consensual or forced.

Question 18

1.10 Physical contact

Answer 18

Social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is a possibility of psychology harm to the client as a result of the contact. Social workers can engage in physical contact with clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries

Question 19

1.11 Sexual Harassment

Answer 19

Social workers should not sexually harass clients by making sexual advancements, requests for sexual flavors or any communications of a sexual nature

Question 20

1.12 Derogatory Language

Answer 20

Social workers should not use derogatory language in their written, verbal or electronic communications to or about clients. Social workers should use accurate and respectful language in all communications to and about clients

Question 21

1.13 Payment for Services

Answer 21

When setting fees, social workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable and commensurate with the services performed and they should consider clients’ ability to pay. AVOID ACCEPTING GOODS OR SERVICES AS PAYMENT.

Question 22

1.14 Clients who lack decision-making capacity

Answer 22

Social workers acting on behalf of clients who lack capacity to make informed decision should take steps to safeguard interests and rights of those clients

Question 23

1.15 Interruption of Services

Answer 23

Social workers should make reasonable efforts to ensure continuity of services in the event that services are interrupted by factors such as unavailability, disruptions in electronic communication, illness, etc.

Question 24

1.16 Referral for Services

Answer 24

Social workers should refer clients to other professionals when professionals’ specialized knowledge or expertise is needed to serve clients fully or when social workers believe they are not being effective or making reasonable progress with clients. Should make orderly transfer to next professional

Question 25

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 25

Social workers should terminate services when such services are no longer required. SWs should take reasonable steps to avoid abandoning clients who are still in need of services. Social workers should withdraw services only under unusual circumstances.

Question 26

What is the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violation?

Answer 26

A boundary violation is intentional, a crossing is not.

Question 27

Is sexual relationships and physical contact a boundary crossing?

Answer 27

NO (it’s a violation)

Question 28

Is attending a social event or having a mutual acquaintance a violation or a crossing?

Answer 28

It’s a violation!

Question 29

Is there such a thing as an ex-client in the private sector?

Answer 29

NO. Once a client always a client.

Question 30

Are dual relationships inherent?

Answer 30

Yes, to some extent. With some boundaries, we can prevent them, but some blending of roles is unavoidable.

Question 31

Are dual relationships always harmful?

Answer 31

Not always, but its important for professionals to understand the potential of harm.

Question 32

Measures to minimize dual relationship risks

Answer 32

Document, report, consult with other professionals, speak with the client and discuss the risks and benefits or blending of roles. If necessary, refer them out to another professional