Opinions expressed on this site are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The 2021 NASW Code of Ethics went into effect on June 1, 2021. Social workers should educate themselves, their students, and their colleagues about responsible research practices. Social workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of services to clients should notify clients promptly and seek the transfer, referral, or continuation of services in relation to the clients needs and preferences. Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions. Social workers should inform participants of their right to withdraw from evaluation and research at any time without penalty. Portland, OR 97219-2457, Membership Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. All social workers should review the new text and affirm their commitment to abide by the Code of Ethics. To View The Code of Ethics as a PDFClick Here. Social workers who provide supervision should evaluate supervisees performance in a manner that is fair and respectful. Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. The NASW Code of Ethics strictly protects client confidentiality. Thank you! The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership Further, the NASW Code of Ethics does not specify which values, principles, and standards are most important and ought to outweigh others in instances when they conflict. Study these before your. Please contact the publisher for permission to reproduce or reprint any materials on this site. Value:ServiceEthical Principle:Social workers primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers should not engage in uninvited solicitation of potential clients who, because of their circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence, manipulation, or coercion. In instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients right to refuse service. Free webinars and CEUs available. Social workersnot their clients, their clients relatives, or other individuals with whom the client maintains a personal relationshipassume the full burden for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. with the colleague if feasible; if not feasible, social workers should explore available channels for filing a complaint. (e) Social workers who provide electronic social work services should be aware of cultural and socioeconomic differences among clients use of and access to electronic technology and seek to prevent such potential barriers. Social workers should transfer or dispose of clients records in a manner that protects clients confidentiality and is consistent with state statutes governing records and social work licensure. Social workers are continually aware of the professions mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Definition. These principles set forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire. Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. As a way of bringing all social workers up to speed on these changes, the national NASW has provided further materials detailing the changes (see links below). The 2021 amendments are limited to the following sections of the Code: Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics, Ethical Principles (namely, the Value of Integrity), and standard 1.05, Cultural Competence. The provision about acknowledge personal privilege may also provide social workers with a response to executive orders and laws that try to restrict education or training related to racial bias, critical race theory, systemic discrimination, and privilege. These include policies and procedures created by NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, employers, agencies, and other professional organizations. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students regardless of their specific functions or settings. This may involve consultation with an agency-based or social work organizations ethics committee, a regulatory body, knowledgeable colleagues, supervisors, or legal counsel. ), 1.02 SelfDeterminationSocial workers respect and promote the right of clients to selfdetermination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. The third change is an additional sentence (bolded) in the paragraph describing the value of integrity and its related ethical principle, being trustworthy. In the past, social workers have often talked about the importance of self-awareness and not imposing values on clients from different cultural backgrounds. Social workers should accept responsibility or employment only on the basis of existing competence or the intention to acquire the necessary competence. Social workers social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. more What's Happening 4/4/2023 MassHealth Redetermination Phase 2 Toolkit. 1.11 Sexual HarassmentSocial workers should not sexually harass clients. The Code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Demonstrate means responding and doing, not just being aware, feeling, knowing, or thinking. Social workers documentation should protect clients privacy to the extent that is possible and appropriate and should include only information that is directly relevant to the delivery of services. Social workers should ensure that such colleagues understand social workers obligation to respect confidentiality and any exceptions related to it. The NASW Code of Ethics is a long document that provides guidelines for many complicated situations. STANDARDS AND INDICATORS FOR CULTURE COMPETENCE IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE: https://naswpress.org/product/53592/nasw-standards-and-indicators-for-cultural-competence-in-social-work-practice, NASW ETHNICITY AND RACE PRACTICE TOOLS: www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Ethnicity-Race/Ethnicity-Race-Tools, SEARCH CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN NASWS SOCIAL WORK CE ONLINE INSTITUTE FOR SELF-STUDY CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT PROGRAMS: https://naswinstitute.inreachce.com/, https://naswpress.org/product/53641/multiracial-cultural-attunement, https://naswpress.org/product/53646/reenvisioning-therapy-with-women-of-color. Self-care is not an add-on to social work practice; it is integral to practice, enabling social workers to serve clients in a competent manner, promote social justice, and foster the other ideals of the profession. The Code of Ethics revisions regarding cultural competence are all included in Standard 1.05 (as bolded below). Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should protect participants from unwarranted physical or mental distress, harm, danger, or deprivation. Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Since then, the Code has emerged as the standard bearer for defining the values and principles that guide social workers conduct in all practice areas. In the NASW Code of Ethics (NASW, 2008), Standard 1.07 outlines that social workers "should respect client's right to privacy" (1.07 [a]) by protecting "confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons" (1.07 [b]). As a new social worker or a social work student, you may have questions about the Code. When an individual who is receiving services from another agency or colleague contacts a social worker for services, the social worker should carefully consider the clients needs before agreeing to provide services. Social workers should establish and maintain billing practices that accurately reflect the nature and extent of services provided and that identify who provided the service in the practice setting. https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021CoE.html. Ethical Principle:Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships. Social workers should accept employment or arrange student field placements only in organizations that exercise fair personnel practices. Social work administrators should advocate within and outside their agencies for adequate resources to meet clients needs. Social workers should store records following the termination of services to ensure reasonable future access. In some of the strongest language in the Code of Ethics, Standard 1.05(b) says, Social workers must take action against oppression, racism, discrimination, and inequities, and acknowledge personal privilege. I have bolded the word must, because no other standard in the Code uses this mandatory term. Social workers should cooperate with social work colleagues and with colleagues of other professions when such cooperation serves the wellbeing of clients. Additionally, they are offering a free, 90-minute webinar on the changes, 2021 Revisions to the NASW Code of Ethics: Self-Care and Cultural Competence. Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should obtain voluntary and written informed consent from participants, when appropriate, without any implied or actual deprivation or penalty for refusal to participate; without undue inducement to participate; and with due regard for participants wellbeing, privacy, and dignity. When setting fees, social workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services performed. 5.1K views 2 years ago The NASW Code of Ethics read aloud by Henry. Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues. Washington, DC 20002. The Code, unlike CSWE's EPAS draft for 2022, is deficient in this recognition. Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest and dual relationships with participants, should inform participants when a real or potential conflict of interest arises, and should take steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes participants interests primary. Visit www.terrickahardy.com for more on professional self-care. 1.01 Commitment to ClientsSocial workers primary responsibility is to promote the wellbeing of clients. Ethics Alive: Special Report on the 2021 Revisions to the NASW Code of Ethics, where she talks about the importance of organizational accountability AND practitioner self-care. Terrika Hardy explained that cultural competence was used in the title of this standard because, as a profession, social work requires its members to be competent and to practice with competence. There is overlap between advocating for human rights, human trafficking victims, victims of sexual violence, anti racism, and cultural humility. Social workers should contact their state licensing board to determine how the recent revisions to the NASW, Many social workers are employed in settings that are not primarily social work organizations. Social workers should not sexually harass supervisees, students, trainees, or colleagues. 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