codeofethicsandethicaldilemmas.ppt

1999 T.Y. LEE Code of Practice and Ethical Dilemmas T.Y. LEE, Fieldwork Coordinator BSW The Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers in Hong Kong Prepared by The Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board The Code of Practice is an operational statement of the central values of the social work profession. Social work students should be thoroughly familiar with it. Represents standards of ethical behavior for social workers. Contents of the Code of Practice 1. Basic values and beliefs 2. Principles of practice Principles of Practice Personal Conduct Clients Colleagues Agency Profession Society Violation of the Code of Practice may lead to failure in fieldwork assessment if a placement student breaches the Code, when evidence for the malpractice is upheld, his/her fieldwork will be given a failure or zero mark What is an ethical dilemma? It is a Conflict between ... one’s personal and professional values two values/ethical principles two possible actions each with reasons strongly favorable and unfavorable two unsatisfactory alternatives one’s values/principles and one’s perceived role the need to act and the need to reflect Can ethical dilemma be avoided? You can avoid ethical dilemmas! But... You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas! You can avoid ethical dilemmas! An Example Your placement is in a school, you should give prior thought to how you would respond when a child reveals abuse or neglect. Find out how your field instructor wants you to handle these situations. What information does the school expect you will share with concerned teachers? The principal? You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas! It is best to prepare yourself for them by examining your own values from time to time and learning all you can about: how past ethical problems in your placement settings were resolved. What are the behaviors that will almost always be viewed as unethical? Sexual intimacy with clients Libeling or slandering a client Sharing confiden