ethics - ounce
TRANSCRIPT
Ethics
What is Helping?
Helping is a process of empowering a person to grow in the directions that they choose, to solve problems and to face crises. Additionally, helping involves facilitating awareness of alternatives.
You are a human service professional. You build relationships with participants in order to educate them, help them achieve goals, and empower them to learn problem-solving skills.
As a human service professional, you have many roles and responsibilities. Your role is discussed on the following slides.
– To listen to parent’s concerns and observations
– To respect family values and cultural differences
– To support parents in their role as advocate for themselves and their children
– To assess, facilitate and promote positive child growth and development and to administer developmental screenings and assessments
Your Role
– To facilitate and support the parent-child relationship
– To provide information and appropriate referral to
community resources and to follow-up on those
referrals
– To maintain appropriate documentation that
outline the services provided to the family and
help facilitate quality management
Your Role Continued
– To be able to acknowledge and
advocate for self, to avoid burnout,
for career development and/or for
additional supervision.
Why Are Ethics Important?
In the helping relationship, it can be difficult at times to make decisions without clouded judgments. For example, some of you may begin to over identify with participants or feel sorry for them, which may affect your ethical practices & decision-making.
When working with participants, it is important to uphold certain standards of conduct.
Ethics help guide your professional behavior in order to ensure that participants receive quality services and that programs are operated with high integrity.
This training will discuss what ethics is in order to assist you in maintaining boundaries and making appropriate decisions.
Training Objectives
Upon completing this training you will be able to:
– Define ethics
– Identify the core values of social work
– Identify examples of potential ethical
violations
– Discuss why ethics are important
– Discuss the difference between
professional and personal relationships
– Describe professional boundaries and
their relations to professional ethics
Professional & Personal Relationships
Before we discuss ethics and ethical violations, it is important for you to understand the difference between a professional and personal relationship.
Professional relationships revolve around work and are based on working relationships.
Personal relationships revolve around social aspects of life such as friendships or romance.
Your relationship with participants is a professional one.
There are certain distinctions between these two types of relationships that when understood can help you determine boundary-related and ethical issues.
Professional vs Personal
Following is a list of characteristics of professional
and personal relationships.
Professional Personal
Payment received (work) No payment received
Relationship lasts 3-5 yrs (or
when participant leaves)
Relationship can last a
lifetime
Purpose of relationship is to
improve Parent Child
Interaction
Purpose of relationship is
pleasure or companionship
Relationship is planned and
structured
Relationship is spontaneous
and unstructured
Accountability is on FSW Accountability is shared
Professional & Personal Relationships Differ!
The table on the previous slide summarized some of the important distinctions between professional and personal relationships.
Keeping these differences in mind will help you make ethical decisions and help you keep your professional focus by helping you maintain boundaries.
On the following slide, we will discuss what boundaries are and how they relate to ethics. Then, we will introduce the social worker’s Code of Ethics, which can be used as a guide for ethical decision-making.
What are Professional Ethics?
Ethics are standards of conduct or a code of
behavior that define how individuals should behave
based on moral duty and obligation.
Ethics provide rules for what is right and correct
behavior in given situations.
Ethics help define what appropriate boundaries are
and how you should interact with participants.
Boundaries help to set limits that will protect the
family, staff, and the program.
What are Boundaries?
Professional boundaries can be defined as behaviors
that build an invisible fence or wall around you, the
worker. These behaviors promote the integrity of
the worker and of Healthy Families.
● Boundaries can
also be thought of
as invisible lines
that workers should
not cross.
Relationship Between Ethics & Boundaries
Ethics help you define boundaries.
ETHICS
BOUNDARIES
• While ethics are specific
codes that define what is
considered right and wrong
action, boundaries can be
more general and can be
influenced by your own
personal values and choices.
Nonetheless, ethics help
define boundaries.
Boundary Violations
A boundary violation would be a behavior that crosses the professional guidelines of appropriate behavior between FSWs and their families.
These violations may be done knowingly or unknowingly, accidentally or deliberately. Whether it is intended or not, it is not acceptable.
Boundary violations are a gradual process. It happens one small step at a time and almost without warning. Without clear boundaries, the family and/or FSW may begin to become confused about the relationship.
Once boundary violations start occurring, more serious boundary violations may follow which can lead to burnout.
For example, if a family asks you to attend church with them, no boundary violation has occurred. The violation occurs when you take them to church with you or attend their church with them.
Ethical standards can guide you and help you define boundaries to keep the relationship focused. Some of these standards are discussed on the following slides.
Boundary Violations
Core Values of Social Workers
The NASW (National Association of Social Workers)
has published a Code of Ethics for social workers.
The basis for this code is
derived from a set of core
values which have been
embraced by social workers
throughout the profession’s
history.
These core values are
discussed on the following
slide.
NASW
Code
of
Ethics
Service: A social worker’s goal is to help people in
need and to address social problems.
Core Values of Social Work
Social justice: Social workers
challenge social justice. For
example, they work to pursue social
change for those most vulnerable in
our society.
Dignity and worth of the person:
Social workers respect the inherent
dignity and worth of the person.
Core Values of Social Work
Importance of human relationships: 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.
Ethical Principles, Terms & Examples
There are a number of ethical standards that are
derived from the core values just discussed.
When you enter into a professional relationship with
participants, ethical standards function to protect you
and the participant.
The ethical standards of social work should be
considered when making professional decisions.
The following slides will discuss these ethical
principles and terms, as well as provide you with
some examples of each.
1. Ethical Dilemma
An ethical dilemma occurs when you are faced with
meeting your obligations to two different parties at
the same time and cannot meet your obligation to
one without violating your ethical commitment to
the other.
Example: A child is in need of specialized
services, but does not meet the necessary
eligibility criteria. You feel very strongly that the
child needs the service and you contemplate
“stretching the truth” to meet the required
eligibility.
Confidentiality is the professional obligation to
protect the participant’s information and right to
privacy. Confidentiality may be breached only for
compelling reasons such as cases of child abuse or
neglect, a client plans to hurt self or others, and a
response to a court order.
2. Confidentiality
Example: Whether to tell MGM
that MOB is involved in a domestic
violence relationship when MOB
has stated that you can’t tell MGM.
Cultural competence is an obligation to have a
knowledge base of your participants’ cultures so that
the provision of services are sensitive to their
cultures and to differences among people and
cultural groups.
3. Cultural Competence
Example: You are developing a FSP with a
Haitian family. You are a devout Catholic and
consider telling the family that they will need to
pray to God about what they need to do before
they can make any decisions. However, you are
unsure of the family’s religious background.
Self-determination is the obligation to respect and promote the right of participants to act in their own best interest, and to receive or refuse services. You may limit participants’ right to self-determination when you feel a participants’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable and imminent risk to themselves or others.
4. Self-Determination
Example: MOB is suffering maternal depression and is involved in a domestic violence relationship. You suggest MOB seek counseling and she refuses to attend because she thinks it will do no good. You must respect this, unless you feel she will harm herself or others.
5. Conflicts of Interest & Dual Relationships
This refers to the professional obligation to avoid
becoming engaged in dual or multiple relationships
which may conflict with one another, and impair
professional judgment. Social workers are aware
that in their relationships with participants power and
status are unequal.
Example: A FSW is sent to work
with a family who turns out to be
the friend of someone who is
friends with you. The FSW should
ask to be reassigned.
6. Sexual Relationships
This refers to the professional obligation not to get
involved in a sexual relationship with a participant,
whether consensual or forced. Sexual relationships
with participants are not acceptable. Sexual
relationships with previous participants are
considered dual relationships.
Example: You become sexually
involved with a participant who is
a victim of domestic violence.
This is unethical.
7. Representing Participants
Representing participants is the professional
obligation to act on the behalf of participants who
lack the capacity to make informed decisions. You
should take all necessary steps to safeguard the
interests and right of those participants.
Example: A participant has been involuntarily hospitalized due to mental illness and his judicial review is approaching. The FSW helps the participant with this issue.
8. Derogatory Language
This is the professional obligation to use accurate
and respectful language in all communication to and
about participants in order to respect the dignity of
participants.
Example: A FSW writes in
her home visitation records
that MOB has a reputation
for being a “slut.” This is
unethical.
9. Informed Consent
Informed consent is a function that protects the ability of individuals to make their own choices and decisions. It is the obligation to protect the integrity, safety, and security of client records by obtaining a participant's prior written consent before disclosing information to other parties.
Example: A FAW or FSW agrees to share confidential information with a referral source only after the participant has supplied them with a statement signed by the participant giving permission for the referral source to access the information.
10. Exploitation &Unfair Advantage
This refers to the professional obligation not to take
advantage of participants. As social workers you
have an unfair advantage over participants based on
status. You must not use this power differential to
take advantage of others.
Example: MOB asks you to transport her to her
WIC appointment. MOB gives you $5 for taking
her. You accept the money knowing that your
program is going to reimburse you for the
mileage. This is unethical.
11. Falsifying Records
It is the obligation of the professional to maintain
complete and accurate documentation. Falsifying
records or omitting important events is not allowed.
Example: You were
unable to make a
home visit so you
document a home visit
which never really
occurred. This is
unethical.
More Examples of Ethical Violations
There are numerous ethical violations that may be
committed, some more include:
– Disclosing confidential information about the
family to others without permission.
– Failing to make a CPS report when there is clear
evidence of abuse or neglect.
– Engaging in sexual relationships with anyone
receiving services from you.
– Falsifying documentation of client records
– Falsifying mileage records and/or time sheets
– Falsifying supervision notes or documentation
– Taking unfair advantage of any professional
relationship or exploiting participants
– Participating in, condoning, or associating with
dishonesty, fraud, or deception
– Accepting gifts from participants or family
members
More Examples of Ethical Violations Cont.
Identifying Ethical principles
Human service workers must be able to make ethical
decisions everyday. Being able to make an ethical
decision requires that you be able to identify the
ethical principle firsthand.
If you are not aware of the ethical principle, you may
not be able to make the most appropriate decision.
On the following slide you will be given a scenario.
You will then have to answer a series of questions to
demonstrate understanding of the ethical principles
previously discussed.
Case Scenario # 1
MOB is an 18 year old with two babies ages 6 months and two years. The assessment revealed that MOB grew up with a history of child and alcohol abuse in the home. MOB told you that MGM managed to get out of her abusive relationship and move to a new city to start a new life with MOB and her son. MOB recently confided in you and explained that FOB is always beating her. You have encouraged her and referred her to a domestic violence shelter, but she refuses to go. You don’t know if you should talk to MGM about the situation, but you are friends with MGM and you think that MGM might help MOB get out of this relationship. You also feel guilty about not telling MGM because she is your friend.
Ethical Decision-Making
Unfortunately, there is no formula for making ethical decision.
In fact, learning about ethical standards does not guarantee ethical behavior and it cannot resolve all ethical disputes or dilemmas.
However, there are guidelines and steps which can help you arrive at a decision.
On the following slide, we will discuss the steps you can use to arrive at a decision.
Remember, if you are ever unsure it is best to discuss the issue with a supervisor.
Steps for Ethical Decision-Making
Step 1: Identify the dilemma or problem
Step 2: Assess the situation such as the facts and
who will be affected
Step 3: Refer to your Code of Ethics, Florida
Statutes, and your program’s policies and determine
if there is an answer within them
Step 4: Consult with your supervisor, program
manager, or legal department of your program.
Step 5: Determine all possible courses of action
Step 6: Make a decision
Process of Ethical Decision-Making
1. Identify the
issue or
problem
2. Assess the
situation
3. Refer to laws,
code of ethics, and
program policies for
an answer
4. Consult
with
supervisor or
legal
department of
your program
5. Determine
all possible
courses of
action
6. Make a
decision
Using the Steps: Case Scenario 2
You have been working with MOB for 3 years now. She has come a long way since you first started working with her. She has had a steady job for about 8 months now. MOB has not been able to kick her alcohol abuse habit, though. One day you arrive for a home visit and you notice that TC has bruises on his arms and side. You ask MOB about it and she denies anything has happened. She told you that TC fell off of the swings while at daycare. You don’t know what to do. Do you file a CPS report knowing this might destroy your relationship with her or do you believe her?
Indicators of Boundary & Ethical Violations
Now that you understand what is meant by ethics
and boundaries, we are going to discuss some
indicators of boundary violations.
Some indicators of violations include:
– A preoccupation with the family
– Spending your free time with the family
– Sharing information or work concerns with the
family
– Feeling responsible for the family’s progress/lack
of progress
Indicators of Boundary & Ethical Violations
– Noticing more physical touching than is
appropriate or sexual content in interactions with
the family
– Favoring one family at the expense of another
– Keeping secrets with the family
– Selectively documenting the family’s behavior
– Over-identification with the family/having uniquely
similar family dynamics as the family
– Being defensive/guarded/protective when
questioned about interaction/relationship with the
family
Indicators of Boundary & Ethical Violations
– Receiving gifts from and giving gifts to families
– Feeling strong emotions about the family
– Feeling or stating how ungrateful the family is
– Spending personal money on the family
Examples of Boundary Violations
Following are some examples of boundary violations.
The ethical principle that applies is in parenthesis.
One of your MOBs has invited you to her baby’s
first birthday party. She said that she invited you
because she feels that you are part of the family
since you have been involved with her since her
pregnancy. The party is during non-working
hours. You decided to go because it was your
personal time and you really like this family
(Conflict of Interest/Dual Relationship)
Examples of Boundary Violations
You meet a handsome young man or beautiful young
lady at a social function. A romantic relationship
develops. During a home visit, you learn that the
young man/lady is the non-custodial FOB/MOB. You
continue to see the person and when she/he asks how
his/her baby is doing, you fill him/her in
(Conflict of Interest/Dual Relationship)
(Confidentiality)
(Sexual Relationship with Client)
Summary
Learning about ethics and boundaries provides an
awareness of the ethical standards expected and
required for engaging in a helping relationship with
families.
We have discussed what ethics and boundaries are,
provided you with some examples of ethical violations,
and discussed some ways you can identify ethical and
boundary-related issues.
Always remember the difference between a professional
and personal relationship, and use the steps for ethical
decision-making, code of ethics, legal unit, and your
supervisor when faced with difficult decisions.
References
Brammer, Lawrence & MacDonald, Ginger. (1996). The Helping Relationship: Process and Skills. Allyn and Bacon, Boston.
Bernstein, Gail S. (1999). “Human Services?...That Must Be So Rewarding.” Paul H. Brooks Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD.
Katherine, Anne (1991). Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin. Parksdale Publishing Company, New York, NY.
Trainer’s Guide. (2001) Ethical Decision-Making. Florida Department of Children and Families.