OCSWSSW Code of Ethics Flashcards
What are ‘Dual Relationships’?
A situations where multiple roles exist between a counsellor and a client
What are the types of dual relationships?
Social; sexual; professional; business; communal (community); institutional (military)
They can sometimes be unavoidable I small or rural communities; including military settings, church, small towns, and LGBTT2SIQQA communities
Principle VIII Sexual Misconduct: What is 8.8 Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual relations between college members and clients to whom the members have provided social work or social service work services, OTHER THAN psychotherapy or counselling services are prohibited for a period of 1 following termination of professional relationship
Principle VIII Sexual Misconduct: What is 8.7 Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual relations between college members and clients to whom the member have provided psychotherapy and/or counselling services are prohibited at ANY TIME following termination of the professional relationship
What does the Code of Ethics say about confidentiality?
Principle V: Confidentiality
• Core SW/SSW helping value and guiding principle
• Foundation for trust
• It is an ethical principle and a legal right
• Disclosure of personal information without consent can cause a sense of violation
• Grounds for malpractice suit, and/or termination
What are the three criteria for informed consent?
- Capacity
- Comprehension of information
- Voluntary
* this frame park supports client self-determination*
What is the scope of confidentiality?
- Within the agency
- Between worker and supervisor
- Among team members in same agency
Are all dual relationships unethical?
No; sexual, exploitative and harmful dual relationships are unethical and illegal
When must you breach confidentiality?
- Issues of safety, risk and harm
- Law mandates it
- Laws and procedures vary by province, state and country
- Suspected child’s use
- Elder abuse - the “silent” crime (Ontario only)
- Communicable disease (HIV, TB); report to health department
What is regulatory social work?
- Every province has a legislation governing the practice of social work.
- Ontario was the last to provide legislation (1998)
- Every act regulates who can call themselves a social worker, the qualifications required to use the title, and penalties for not following the act or for unethical behavior. (Hick, 2006)
- In 1998 the Ontario government enacted the Social Work and Social Service Worker Act, which specifies that any professional that wants to use the title must be a member of the college of SW and SSWs of Ontario.
- Includes a complaints and disciplinary process that can result in a suspension or revocation of a license to practice. (Hick, 2006)
What are the (24) guiding principles of the Code of Ethics?
- The SW should practice social work.
- The SW should engage in conscious use of self.
- The SW should maintain professional objectivity.
- The SW should respect human diversity.
- The SW should challenge social injustices.
- The SW should seek to enhance professional competence.
- The SW should do no harm.
- The SW should engage in evidence based practice.
- The SW should engage in value-guided and ethical practice.
- The SW should be concerned with the whole person.
- The SW should serve the most vulnerable members of society.
- The SW should treat the client with dignity.
- The SW should individualize the client.
- The SW should consider clients experts in their own lives.
- The SW should lend vision to the client.
- The SW should build on client strengths.
- The SW should maximize client participation.
- The SW should maximize client self determination.
- The SW should help the client learn self-directed problem solving skills.
- The SW should maximize client empowerment.
- The SW should protect client confidentiality.
- The SW should adhere to the philosophy of normalization.
- The SW should continuously evaluate the progress of the change process.
- The SW should be accountable to clients, agency, community, and the SW profession.
When was the Ontario Social Work and Social Service Work Act in place?
1998
What are Ethical dilemmas?
Choice by SSW between 2 or more relevant but contradictory directives
What are ‘Ethics’?
A system of moral epic jokes and perceptions about right versus wrong and the resulting philosophy of conduct that is practiced by an individual, group, professional or culture
What are ‘Values’?
The customs, standards of conduct, and principles considered desirable by a culture, a group of people, or an individual
(What is good and desirable)