Experiential Exercise 4
Complete Assignment 2 on page 117-2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E
2. Identifying Breaches. For each of the following scenarios, identify which standard of section 1 of the NASW Code of Ethics has been violated by the social worker. Describe the specific behavior that violates this standard and how the social worker should have acted in order to follow the relevant ethical standard.
a. Selma violated standard 1.07 (r) by not protecting the confidentiality of a deceased client consistent with the preceding standards. Selma should not have told her husband the name of the client that committed suicide. She could have talked to someone at the agency, possibly a superior who is also aware of the situation. Therefore it she would not have violated that standard.
b. Shaquile is violating standard 1.08 (a) by denying his client the right to see her records. Unless there was a chance that the records could have caused serious harm to the client then it is Carly’s right to be able to look at them. He should not have kept them from her.
c. Sammy is violating standard 1.12 by using derogatory language in his written communications. He should have used respectful language and documented that the family did not show up without being disrespectful by calling them “irresponsible.”
d. Shorty is violating standard 1.13 (b) by accepting services from the client as payment for his social work services. Bartering can create conflicts of interest, exploitation and inappropriate boundaries. Shorty and Catarina should have set up the payment plan prior to services being provided and consideration could have then been given to Catarina’s ability to pay.
e. Shona is violating standards 1.01 and 1.02 by not promoting the well being of the client. The client is stating one of his goals is to help his son, so Shona should give her advice to Cristos about all of the available options. She should not sugar coat anything and tell him only the benefits of family therapy because he cannot make an informed decision by not knowing all of the facts. Shona needs to assist in her client’s effort to identify and clarify Cristos goals.
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). NASW code of ethics. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://ww.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.
a. Selma violated standard 1.07 (r) by not protecting the confidentiality of a deceased client consistent with the preceding standards. Selma should not have told her husband the name of the client that committed suicide. She could have talked to someone at the agency, possibly a superior who is also aware of the situation. Therefore it she would not have violated that standard.
b. Shaquile is violating standard 1.08 (a) by denying his client the right to see her records. Unless there was a chance that the records could have caused serious harm to the client then it is Carly’s right to be able to look at them. He should not have kept them from her.
c. Sammy is violating standard 1.12 by using derogatory language in his written communications. He should have used respectful language and documented that the family did not show up without being disrespectful by calling them “irresponsible.”
d. Shorty is violating standard 1.13 (b) by accepting services from the client as payment for his social work services. Bartering can create conflicts of interest, exploitation and inappropriate boundaries. Shorty and Catarina should have set up the payment plan prior to services being provided and consideration could have then been given to Catarina’s ability to pay.
e. Shona is violating standards 1.01 and 1.02 by not promoting the well being of the client. The client is stating one of his goals is to help his son, so Shona should give her advice to Cristos about all of the available options. She should not sugar coat anything and tell him only the benefits of family therapy because he cannot make an informed decision by not knowing all of the facts. Shona needs to assist in her client’s effort to identify and clarify Cristos goals.
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). NASW code of ethics. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://ww.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.