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.