I feel as though this also raises question of power and structural inequality as different access to services because of barriers is being discussed. Why are certain groups because of cultural and socioeconomic differences not granted the same access to services? Why must these groups face such barriers when trying to access a helpful tool for them to receive necessary services? How did this begin? I think once again this excerpt can go more in depth of how structurally these inequalities exist. This can be done by possibly elaborating on what these barriers are and why they represent structural inequality. Social workers aim is to uncover these barriers. Therefore, the Code of Ethics should identify more of these as well.The power this has on the lives of clients I feel needs to be more explained more in depth. For example, the Code of Ethics should go more in depth of the power conflict between these oppressed groups and the others. Furthermore, the impact of these differences because of the structural inequality embedded in our society can be explained more as a whole.

In this excerpt, under the category of cultural competence, I feel as though this excerpt represents an example of structural inequality and power but it could go more in depth as well. This excerpt is identifying that biases to unfortunately take place within the field. As we know, these biases are unfortunately deeply embedded in society, but our job as social workers is to break these biases down and uncover them. I just feel as though the Code of Ethics should go more in depth in discussing this bias and why it is prevalent. This excerpt just simply states that bias exists and social workers should reflect on themselves to examine their biases in effect. If this excerpt mentioned more of how these biases arise, where they come from, why they exist, and exactly what ways social workers can understand it, I feel as though this piece would be more informative. I do not think it sufficiently discusses the severity of structural inequality and how it affects these clients. It does not touch on the problem behind having bias enough. The power dynamic can be touched on more as well by showing how bias is a result of a group of people discriminating against another. Thus making the discriminated group feel inferior. I think in touching on structural inequality and power the importance of understanding cultural differences should be fore-fronted more as well.

To go further, this is an example of another practice standard I would adopt. I feel as though confidentiality is an essential component of the field of social work because the client is placing trust in us in our meetings and interactions. Therefore, what they express to us should remain between us and them. This goes hand in hand with my mention prior of informed consent. The client should remained unnamed and none of their personal information should ever be on the Web. Also, there should never be any interaction with a client on social media. We want them to envision us as their guide or their mentor not as their best friend on social media because services may not be accomplished successfully then. I will always remain professional on social media as well and I will use this practice standard not only in the aspect of technology but even with face to face communication as well.

After watching the Podcast by Allen Barsky, this excerpt discusses a practice standard that is not only essential but one also I would make sure I adopt in my practice. Barsky touches on the importance of informed consent throughout his speech as the social work field is evolving so is our use of technological advancements. Now that I am practicing as a social worker, I would use this idea of informed consent before working with the client. I feel as though this is a vow to one another that is important but also provides the client with the correct information before diving into the practice. As Barsky stated in the podcast, technology allows us as social workers to not only communicate but also provides mobility as well. This is something I want to provide my clients with as my practice continues. I feel as though this practice standard of informed consent provides the client and myself with the groundwork of informing our practice. In this, they will be informed of the services we will be working on together so receiving this conjoined agreement is important to me. Now that I am practicing as a social worker, I will make sure I use technology with care as well. Barsky touches on the idea of technology posing many positive elements to our society but also drawbacks as well. Therefore, I must be aware of this. Some clients may not be able to access proper technology, I must keep this in consideration as well. If this is the case, I must make alterations to plans set into place to accomodate these needs of the client. For example, say I am working with a client and he/she took part in a service project. Before posting that photograph of them online, I must receive consent before proceeding from my client, as this will be out there on the Web. I will use this consent as a guide to inform my practice and make sure I begin with that. This will allow for trust to build and practice to properly begin. I will make sure my own personal social media is completely private and does not interfere with my work at all. This practice standard of informed consent will allow me to interact and collaborate with the client safely as well. While technology can assist with client access to services, I will make sure for those who can not access technology that I am open and available to have face to face communication with flexible hours as well.

I feel as though this excerpt which discusses ethical obligations coming in conflict with agency policies raises question for me in handling situations with clients. The Code of Ethics states that if a reasonable resolution does not seem attainable, the social worker should seek out proper consultation. I feel as though this allows for some gray area to be present. This is because as always the social worker should use this Code of Ethics as a guide to their practice, but if a supervisor is stating to handle a specific instance in a certain manner it can become difficult to navigate the path to success. For example, say I am in a session with a client and am faced with a situation that puts my ethical obligation in conflict with a policy my agency holds, some decisions need to be made right on the spot when dealing with a client like as the dialogue is taking place. Based on the Code of Ethics, should I handle a situation by stopping and contacting my supervisor for consultation, although what they say can be breaking an ethical obligation? I feel as though this may break rapport with a client and breaking an ethical obligation is a truly severe issue. Therefore, this area of the Code of Ethics does raise question for me on how to best handle a situation like this when it arises. If proper consultation is not accessible at that moment and a decision needs to be made right away I question how to handle a situation like this as my obligations ethically and with the agency are put to the test.

This specific area of the Code of Ethics is relevant to a situation that I have experienced in my field work for various reasons. First off, I encountered a situation when working with a client, with my supervisor present, that required me to keep this value and ethical principle in mind. In this instance, the client was expressing to me the way her family dynamic is run based on her cultural views. Although, my family dynamic may not be run the same way as my client's, in correspondence with the ethical principle of respecting her inherent dignity and worth, I used this information to be mindful of her individual differences and understand how this might play a role in her situation. This is an example of treating my client not only with respect but seeing how culturally her family operates their household. Furthermore, I could identify the emotional impact expressing this situation had on my client so I handled her feelings with empathy and compassion, as requested of us as social workers. As the session progressed, the client expressed difficulty in fully finding her drive when completing tasks in her daily routine. Due to this, I prepared self motivating activities and strategies for the client to visualize ways to push herself to complete these tasks. Specifically, we worked together on a time management chart where the client mapped out her schedule. In this, I was attempting to promote her socially responsible self-determination. By helping the client find her inner drive, I was attempting to instill in her that she was not only contributing to her personal self-determination but also to the social community around her as well. I hoped that helping her visualize this, it would make her want to act in positive ways and see how her inner self is a wonderful piece to the puzzle of her community around her. Moreover, this falls into enhancing her capacity and opportunity to change. My client expressed to my supervisor and I that it was difficult for her to pinpoint exactly what areas she wanted to work on and she felt like she needed assistance with. Through our discussion of her strengths, her interests, her hobbies, and especially her goals, I took note that the client began to open up more as the discussion went on and find her way of speaking on her struggles. This is a relevant example of respecting the dignity and worth of my client because in acknowledging her struggles, I am showing that I am not only a listener to her but a guide to her as well that seeks to help her find her inner desires. I constantly used phrases like, "I can absolutely see how you feel that way.." as a means of reassuring the client she is heard and respected. In my discussion with my client, the piece of the Code of Ethics that states, "seek to enhance clients capacity and opportunity to change" I think is especially relevant. This is because in my session with the client I aimed to have her strive to seek out just how much potential she truly possesses through conservation and self-reflection activities I provided. By giving my client strategies towards positive change, I felt as though this was representative of my client being able to pinpoint her needs while also understanding just the positive strategies she can use to meet those needs. In terms of the opportunity to change, in our session we talked a lot on this change towards a positive mindset and the ways she can do that on her own time as well, which I think also falls into this ethical principle.