This section stood out to me after listening to the podcast because it reminded me that intake forms and client information are often stored and shared digitally. When at my field placement reviewing a client case and evaluating assessment forms, I realized how important it is to protect sensitive data on paper and in electronic systems. They discuss reinforcement of this, as they explained the need to adopt practice standards, such as using secure platforms. As I move into professional care, I will apply this ethical standard to my social media presence by keeping personal and professional accounts separate. Awareness of how I use social media, especially for good, such as advocacy and education, is essential. This approach will allow me to balance the benefits of technology while upholding my responsibility as a social worker.

This principle emphasizes that clients should have the right to choose their own lives. Reviewing the intake form raised a question about how a client's voice is represented in documentation. For example, if a client has memory loss or struggles with psychiatric symptoms, how do we balance self-determination with safety and a treatment plan? I am curious about how to navigate situations ethically where what a client feels may conflict with professional judgment. This section raises essential questions about how to honor the client while ensuring their safety and well-being.

This section emphasizes the importance of social workers understanding that their services are sensitive to their clients' cultural backgrounds. My intake form experience connected to this because I noticed the intern intake form for patient information did not fully capture cultural identity, communication needs, or religious supports. Identifying those gaps reflected the ethical principle that social workers must practice cultural competence and advocate for more inclusive tools. This showed me that ethical practice is more than just a one-on-one interaction, and by recommending adjustments to the intake form, I supported the moral responsibility of fully respecting clients.

This section states that social workers should engage in action to address social injustice and advocate for policies that improve access to resources. My experience showed me how structural inequality plays out when clients face homelessness or systemic barriers to care. Intake forms that overlook these factors risk reinforcing inequality by failing to capture the full scope of the need. It highlighted the power imbalance between clients, who may feel unseen, and institutions determining their service eligibility. This section reminded me that part of my role as a social worker is to challenge the structural barriers, not just take them on as they come to me.