Making Ethical Decisions and Everyday Values Flashcards
Boundaries in Social Work
- Boundaries are limits that allow for a safe connection based on client needs
- Boundary violations are acts that intentionally exploit or harm clients
- Boundary crossings are acts that are benign in nature with the intent of being helpful
- Ethical issues often arise when people are struggling with boundaries
- Dual or multiple relationships exist when a professional has a relationship with the client outside of their personal boundaries
Examples of Boundary Crossings
- Intimacy
- Pursuing personal benefits
- Emotional and dependency needs
- Altruistic gestures
- Responding to unanticipated consequences
Intimacy
Sexual relations, physical contact, services to former lover, intimate gestures
Pursuing Personal Benefit
Monetary gain, goods and services, and useful information
Emotional and Dependency Needs
Extending relationships with clients, promoting client dependence, confusing personal and professional lives, and reversing roles with clients
Altruistic Gestures
Performing favors, providing nonprofessional services, giving gifts, being extraordinarily available
Responding to Unanticipated Consequences
Social and community events, joint affiliations and memberships, mutual acquaintances and friends
Rural Social Work
Rural communities have an environment where social worker is involved in community, professional expertise or supervision might not be available. Individual social workers are wildly known, confidentiality might be difficult to maintain, relationships may be complex and multiple.
Ethical Issues in Rural Communities
Dual Relationships Poor practice and competence Confidentiality Anonymity and self disclosure Colleagues
Confidentiality
The regulation, both legal and ethical, that protects the client’s right to privacy.
Creates boundaries around client/worker relationship.
In what ways is confidentiality threatened/compromised?
- Increased demands for accountability
- Mandated duty-to-protect or -warn provisions
- Expanding court involvement in professional decision making
- Widening access to client record information through the requirements of third party payers and the expanded use of computer technology
Practicing Confidentiality
- Collaborative team meetings
- Discussion with family members
- Reporting to insurers
- At risk clients
- Dealing with trauma
- Dealing with adolescents and children
- Culture checking
How can we make ethical practice align with personal values?
- Organizational values are aligned with social work values
- Workers and clients have the opportunity to be heard by all tiers of the organization
- Control over workload
- Mentorship is available
- Organization has a clear mandate
- Opportunities for self care
OCSWSSW
- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- Provide consultations but will never give distinct answers to ethical dilemmas
Moral Distress
Working against your personal values
