Ethics and

Confidentiality

1Washington State

Department of Social& Health Services

E-Learning:Self-Paced Presentation

How to Use this Presentation

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1. Complete this Presentation

2. Review the NASAW code of ethics

(part of the Module 1 checklist)

3. Discuss the content with your supervisor as part of the Module 1 checklist, and with your coach, and cohort as applicable

Using this Presentation

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Ethics and

Confidentiality

4Washington State

Department of Social& Health Services

E-Learning:Self-Paced Presentation

Child Welfare Social WorkPersonal vs. Professional ValuesKnow your personal values/biasesKnow your role

Ethical ImperativesClear professional boundariesCompetenceIntegrityClient self-determinationConfidentiality

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Ethical Imperative: Professional Boundaries

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Public employees should not make decisions in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.• RCW 42.52.070, Special privileges• RCW 42.52.140, Gifts• RCW 42.52.150, Limitations on gifts• RCW 42.52.080, Employment after public

service

Ethical Conduct: Boundaries

Ethical Conduct: Boundaries Use of State Position Conflict of Interest Receiving/exchanging

Money Gifts Food or drink Services

Providing lesser/greater services

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Gifts• DSHS policy regarding accepting gifts in the

course of work:• Administrative Policy No. 18.64.• Administrative Policy No. 15.15 • The basic expectation is that nothing will be

accepted or exchanged with clients or with other professionals in the course of our work.

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• Why might this be the expectation?

• What might the impact or appearance be of accepting gifts, money, even food?

Answer:May create an attitude where the social

worker feels beholden to a client/agency/partner, where they

intentionally or subconsciously provide greater services to that person, or even

where the social worker’s actions are not affected but there is the perception of

favoritism or preference.

Of course – there are cultural implications in the refusal of

small gifts or food/beverage. In any situation you should weight the potential pros and cons of

accepting an offering such as this with no monetary value.

Your supervisor and peers are a good

resource for teasing this out.

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A state officer or employee may not use his or her state position to secure special privileges or to grant exemptions to benefit himself, herself, family members, or other persons.

Ethical Conduct: BoundariesUse of State Position

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Ethical Conduct: BoundariesConflict of Interest & Dual RelationshipsA conflict of interest occurs when you have a private interest that may benefit from your actions, or when a private interest could interfere with official duties

An interest need not be financial to create a conflict of interest

Most conflicts result from the exercise of discretionary authority

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Ethical Imperative: Competence

Ethical Conduct: Competence

Reasonable knowledge of primary issues of concern

Reasonable knowledge of treatment approaches & their efficacy

Cultural competenceWillingness to seek help and guidance when

needed

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Culturally Competent PracticeOne’s ability to work in a way that is

effective given the normative expectations of a given community

A willingness to avoid assumptions and to be interested in cultural factors in the broadest sense

Is a continuing processBegins with self-awarenessRequires basic knowledge of human

diversity14

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Ethical Imperative: Integrity

Ethical Conduct: Integrity• Employees in public service should

not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the performance of their duties.

• RCW 42.52.020, Activities incompatible with public duties

• RCW 42.52.110, Compensation for official duties or nonperformance

• RCW 42.52.120, Compensation for outside activities

• RCW 42.52.130, Honoraria 16

Ethical Conduct: Integrity

• Public employees must place the public’s interest before any private interest or outside obligation - choices need to made on the merits.

• RCW 42.52.020, Activities incompatible with public duties

• RCW 42.52.030, Financial interests in transactions

• RCW 42.52.040, Assisting in transactions

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Objectivity

Ethical Conduct: Integrity

• Public employees have a duty to conserve public resources and funds against misuse and abuse.

• RCW 42.52.070, Special privileges

• RCW 42.52.160, Use of persons, money, or property for private gain

• RCW 42.52.180, Use of public resources for political campaigns

• WAC 292-110-010

• Admin Policy 15.15

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Stewardship

Ethical Conduct: Integrity

• Will my use of state resources result in added costs or any other disadvantage to the state?

• Am I using this resource in order to avoid personal expense?

• Am I confident that my use of state resources will not compromise the security or integrity of state information or software?

• Are state resources being used for purposes that could be embarrassing for my agency if reported publicly?

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Questions to Ask Yourself

The Green Zone

• Any Use that is Reasonably Related to Your Official Duties • Combined Fund Campaign

The Yellow Zone• Personal Use OK Under Limited Circumstances

• Really de minimis exceptions

• There is little or no cost to the state;• There is no interference with the

performance of official duties;• The use is brief in duration and frequency;• The use does not distract from the conduct

of state business; and• The use does not disrupt other state

employees and does not obligate them to make a personal use of state resources.

The Red Zone

• Prohibited Uses

• Outside business interests • Commercial uses • Illegal or unprofessional activities• Political activities, including lobbying

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Ethical Imperative: Client Self-Determination

Ethical Conduct: Client Self-Determination

• Know your role• Identification of role at initial contact• Full and complete identification of concerns• Documentation that is accurate and fairly reflects what

occurred• Inform clients of possible impacts of their choices• Use motivational interviewing to enhance motivation

for change

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Ethical Imperative: Confidentiality

Ethical Conduct: Confidentiality• Keep information confidential

– Except in Duty to Warn situation– Mandatory reporting requirements

• Inform clients of the limits of confidentiality• Inform all of documentation requirements• Follow special protocols for protected

information– HIV– Certain pieces of info when DV is occurring

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What you find is that the tough ethical choices are not between good and evil, but rather between two goods:

Truth versus Loyalty

Individual versus Community

Short-term versus Long-term

Justice versus Mercy

Conclusion: Ethical Choices