ETHICAL STANDARDS
CA Legal Definition Clinical Social Work Defined Code of Ethics
Ethical Standards of the
Clinical Social Work Federation
Preamble
The principal objective of the profession of clinical social work is the enhancement of the mental health and the well-being of the individuals and families who seek services from its practitioners. The professional practice of clinical social workers is shaped by ethical principles which are rooted in the basic values of the social work profession. These core values include a commitment to the dignity, well-being, and self-determination of the individual; a commitment to professional practice characterized by competence and integrity, and a commitment to a society which offers opportunities to all its members in a just and non-discriminatory manner. Clinical social workers examine practice situations in terms of the ethical dilemmas that they present, with a critical analysis of how the formulation of a solution fulfills the core requirements of ethical practice; non-malfeasance, (doing no harm to clients); beneficence, (helping clients), and autonomy (enhancing the self-determination of clients).
The following represents a specific codification of those ethical principles. It is intended to serve as a standard for clinical social workers in all of their professional functions, and to inspire their will to act in a manner consistent with those tenets. The clinical social worker is expected to take into consideration all principles in this code that have a bearing upon any situation in which ethical judgment is to be exercised, and to select a course of action consistent with the spirit, as well as the letter of the code.
Individual members of the Clinical Social Work Federation and of the various State Societies for Clinical Social Work agree to adhere to the precepts expressed in this Code, and to practice in a manner which is consistent with them. When the practice of a member is alleged to deviate from the Code of Ethics, the Code is to be used as a standard for evaluation of the nature and seriousness of the deviation.
Abbreviated list of Ethical Standards of the Clinical Social Work Federation
I. General Responsibilities of Clinical Social Workers
Clinical social workers maintain high standards in all of their professional roles, and value professional competence, objectivity, and integrity. They accept responsibility for the consequences of their work, and ensure that their services are used in an appropriate manner.
II. Responsibility to Clients
The primary responsibility of the clinical social worker is to the individual client, the family or the group with whom he or she has a professional relationship. Clinical social workers respect the dignity, protect the welfare, and maximize the self-determination of the clients with whom they work.
III. Confidentiality
Clinical social workers have a primary obligation to maintain the privacy of both the current and former clients, whether living or deceased, and to maintain the confidentiality of material that has been transmitted to them in any of their professional roles. Exceptions to this responsibility will occur only when there are overriding legal or professional reasons and, whenever possible, with the written informed consent of the client(s).
IV. Relationships with Colleagues
Clinical social workers act with integrity in their relationships with colleagues and members of other professions. They know and take into account the traditions, practices, and areas of competence of other professional and cooperate with them fully for the welfare of clients.
V. Fee Arrangements
When setting fees, clinical social workers should give consideration to the client's ability to pay and make every effort to establish fees that are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the value of the service performed.
VI. Clinical Social Workers' Responsibilities to the Community
Clinical social workers are aware of the social codes and ethical expectations in their communities, and recognize that violation of accepted societal, ethical, legal, and moral standards on their part may compromise the fulfillment of their professional responsibilities and/or reduce public trust in the profession.
VII. Research And Scholarly Activities
In planning, conducting, and reporting a study, the investigator has the responsibility to make a careful evaluation of its ethical acceptability, taking into account the following additional principles for research with human subjects. To the extent that this appraisal, weighing scientific and humane values, suggests a compromise of any principle, the investigator incurs an increasingly serious obligation to observe stringent safeguards to protect the rights and well-being of research participants.
VIII. Public Statements
Public statements, announcements of services, and promotional activities of clinical social workers serve the purpose of providing sufficient information to aid consumers in making informed judgments and choices. Clinical social workers state accurately, objectively, and without misrepresentation their professional qualifications, affiliations, and functions as well as those of the institutions or organizations with which they or their statements may be associated. In addition, they should correct misrepresentations of others with respect to these matters.
Revised 1997
If you would like an expanded copy of the CSWF Ethical Standards see the Publications Order form on this website.
The California Society for Clinical Social Work maintains an Ethics Committee whose members are trained to provide free ethical consultation. The Ethics Committee is only available to members of the California Society.