Social workers should discuss with clients the social workers’ policies concerning the use of technology in the provision of professional services.
This is a practice standard regarding the use of technology that I would adopt. Making sure clients have an understanding of the risks and benefits when utilizing technology in treatment is so important. It is a legal requirement to document client's informed consent.
should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
This section also offers an oppourtunity to explore challenges faced by the profession currently regarding getting bills passed that would benefit oppressed groups. Campaign financing laws have so many loopholes that allow large corporations to control the voice. Code of Ethics could point to more macro work regarding injustices currently happening throughout policy and legislation and discuss the power dynamics when it comes to large corporations controlling campaign financing and turning our representatives into corporate puppets that do their bidding instead of bidding for the people.
Instances may arise when social workers’ ethical obligations conflict with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations. When such conflicts occur, social workers must make a responsible effort to resolve the conflict in a manner that is consistent with the values, principles, and standards expressed in this Code. If a reasonable resolution of the conflict does not appear possible, social workers should seek proper consultation before making a decision.
This area of the code of ethics raises questions for me: when my own moral values conflict with agency policies. I has a client who came through short term residential treatment multiple times in the past two years. It had me thinking about what was missing from his plan to help him sustain long term sobriety from alcohol. This client was a mexican immigrant who did not have a social security number. He couldn't access health insurance or emplyment without it. I spent a lot of hours researching how I could help him get medicaid. The amount of time I spent with one client was beyond the required amount that a counselor would typically spend with a client, but my own morals were telling me that if I did not help him do something differently, he would be back in a month. my task supervisor said this was not my job or part of work study requirement but my morals complelled me to go ahead and see how I could help. I had an internal conflict.
Seeking appropriate consultation, when faced with an ethical dilemma can shed light on the situation and open up new perspectives. Sometimes when we are deep in our own though process there are aspects that we can miss. Sometimes, I feel there isn't going to be a clear answer of what is right and wrong in complex cases, but I feel remaining true to ourselves as professional social workers, we need to be able to lay down our heads at night and say "I did my best."
Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.
While engaging in my field work, I have found that when clients lack support or feel alone, they are less likely to feel empowered to change. In my experience, the more suppport a person has, the better the chance for success. Having a support system of people who believe in client's ability to sustain change is the missing ingredient in many client;'s relapse prevention plan. My experience working with clients who are diagnosed with substance use disorder, relationships are the vehicle to support change efforts.