NASW Code of Ethics

Question 1

Preamble

Answer 1

The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.

Question 2

Preamble Continued

Answer 2

A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.

Question 3

Preamble Continued

Answer 3

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice.

Question 4

Preamble Continued

Answer 4

These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs.

Question 5

Preamble Continued

Answer 5

Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems.

Question 6

Preamble Continued

The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective:

What are the core values?

Answer 6

• Service
• Social Justice
• Dignity and Worth of the Person
• Importance of Human Relationships
• Integrity
• Competence.

Question 7

Preamble Conclusion

Answer 7

This constellation of core values reflects what is unique to the social work profession. Core values, and the principles that flow from them, must be balanced within the context and complexity of the human experience.

Question 8

Professional ethics are at the ____ of social work.

Answer 8

Core

Question 9

The profession has an obligation to articulate its ______ , ________ , and _______ .

Answer 9

Basic values, Ethical Principles, and Ethical Standards.

Question 10

The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to ___________________ .

Answer 10

guide social workers’ conduct.

Question 11

The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students_________ , _________ , ________ .

Answer 11

Regardless of their professional function, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve.

Question 12

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 12

1. The Code identifies core values on which social work’s mission is based.

Question 13

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 13

2. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice.

Question 14

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 14

3. The Code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.

Question 15

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 15

4. The Code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable.

Question 16

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 16

5. The Code socializes practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.

Question 17

What are the 6 purposes of the NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 17

6. The Code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct. NASW has formal procedures to adjudicate ethics complaints filed against its members.

Question 18

In subscribing to this Code, social workers are required to cooperate ____________ , participate _____________ , and abide by _______________ .

Answer 18

cooperate in its implementation, participate in NASW adjudication proceedings, and abide by any NASW disciplinary rulings or sanctions based on it.

Question 19

The code offers _________ , ___________ , and ______________________.

Answer 19

a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issues arise.

Question 20

The code does not provide a set of rules that _________________ .

Answer 20

prescribe how social workers should act in all situation.

Question 21

Specific applications of the Code must take into account ______________.

Answer 21

The context in which it is being considered.

Question 22

Specific applications of the Code must also take into account_______________.

Answer 22

The possibility of conflicts among the Code’s values, principles, and standards.

Question 23

Ethical responsibilities flow from all human relationships, from the __________________________.

Answer 23

personal and familial to the social and professional.

Question 24

The _________________ does not specify which values, principles, and standards are most important and ought to outweigh others in instances when they conflict.

Answer 24

NASW Code of Ethics

Question 25

Reasonable differences of ________ can and do exist among social workers with respect to the ways in which values, ethical principles, and ethical standards should be rank ordered when they conflict.

Answer 25

Opinions

Question 26

Ethical decision making in a given situation must apply the informed judgment of the individual social worker________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________.

Answer 26

and should also consider how the issues would be judged in a peer review process where the ethical standards of the profession would be applied.

Question 27

Ethical decision making is a_________ .

Answer 27

Process

Question 28

In situations when conflicting obligations arise, social workers may be faced with ________ _________ ________ that have no simple answers.

Answer 28

complex ethical dilemmas

Question 29

Social workers should take into consideration all the _______ , _________ , and __________ in this Code that are relevant to any situation in which ethical judgment is warranted.

Answer 29

values, principles, and standards

Question 30

Social workers’ _________ and ________ should be consistent with the spirit as well as the letter of this Code.

Answer 30

decisions and actions

Question 31

In addition to this Code, there are many other sources of information about ______ thinking that may be useful.

Answer 31

ethical

Question 32

What other codes of ethics should social workers consider?

Answer 32

• ethical theory and principles generally
• social work theory and research
• laws
• regulations
• agency policies
• & other relevant codes of ethics

Question 33

Recognizing that among codes of ethics social workers should consider the NASW Code of Ethics as their _________ source.

Answer 33

primary

Question 34

Social workers also should be aware of the impact on _______ ________ _______ of their clients’ and their own personal values and cultural and religious beliefs and practices.

Answer 34

ethical decision making

Question 35

Social workers should be aware of any conflicts between_______ and _________ values and deal with them responsibly.

Answer 35

personal and professional

Question 36

For additional guidance social workers should consult the relevant literature on professional ethics and ethical ________ ________ and seek appropriate consultation when faced with ethical dilemmas.

Answer 36

decision making

Question 37

Seeking additional guidance may involve consultation with:

Answer 37

• an agency-based or social work organization’s ethics committee
• a regulatory body
• knowledgeable colleagues
• supervisors
• legal counsel

Question 38

Instances may arise when social workers’ _______ _______ conflict with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations.

Answer 38

ethical obligations

Question 39

When conflicts with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations occur, social workers must make a responsible effort to _____ ___ _____ in a manner that is consistent with the values, principles, and standards expressed in this Code.

Answer 39

resolve the conflict

Question 40

If a reasonable resolution of the conflict does not appear possible, social workers should _______________________________ .

Answer 40

seek proper consultation before making a decision.

Question 41

The ___________________ is to be used by NASW and by individuals, agencies, organizations, and bodies (such as licensing and regulatory boards, professional liability insurance providers, courts of law, agency boards of directors, government agencies, and other professional groups) that choose to adopt it or use it as a frame of reference.

Answer 41

NASW Code of Ethics

Question 42

________ of standards in this Code does not automatically imply legal liability or violation of the law.

Answer 42

Violation

Question 43

When determining if the violation of the code applies to legal liability or violation of the law, such determination can only be made in the context of______ and ______ proceedings.

Answer 43

legal and judicial

Question 44

Alleged violations of the Code would be subject to a ______ ______ process.

Answer 44

peer review

Question 45

Such processes are generally separate from legal or administrative procedures and insulated from legal review or proceedings to allow the profession to _________ and ________ its own members.

Answer 45

counsel and discipline

Question 46

A code of ethics cannot guarantee ______ _____ .

Answer 46

ethical behavior

Question 47

Moreover, a code of ethics cannot resolve all ethical issues or disputes or capture the __________ and _________ involved in striving to make responsible choices within a moral community.

Answer 47

richness and complexity

Question 48

Rather, a code of ethics sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals _______ and by which their actions can be judged.

Answer 48

aspire

Question 49

Social workers’ ethical behavior should result from their personal commitment to engage in _______ _______ .

Answer 49

ethical practice

Question 50

The NASW Code of Ethics reflects the __________ of all social workers to uphold the profession’s values and to act ethically.

Answer 50

commitment

Question 51

Principles and standards must be applied by individuals of _______ _______ who discern moral questions and, in good faith, seek to make reliable ethical judgments.

Answer 51

good character

Question 52

With growth in the use of communication ___________ in various aspects of social work practice, social workers need to be aware of the unique challenges that may arise in relation to the maintenance of confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, professional competence, record keeping, and other ethical considerations.

Answer 52

technology

Question 53

In general, all ethical standards in this Code of Ethics are applicable to _________ , _________ , or _________ whether they occur in person or with the use of technology.

Answer 53

interactions, relationships, or communications

Question 54

For the purposes of this Code, “technology-assisted social work services” include any social work services that involve the use of:

Answer 54

• computers
• mobile or landline telephones
• tablets
• video technology
• or other electronic or digital technologies

Question 55

Other electronic or digital technologies includes the use of various electronic or digital platforms, such as:

Answer 55

• the Internet
• online social media
• chat rooms
• text messaging
• e-mail
• & emerging digital applications

Question 56

Technology-assisted social work services encompass all aspects of social work practice, including:

Answer 56

• psychotherapy
• individual, family, or group counseling
• community organization
• administration
• advocacy
• mediation
• education
• supervision
• research
• evaluation
• & other social work services.

Question 57

Social workers should keep ___________ emerging technological developments that may be used in social work practice and how various ethical standards apply to them.

Answer 57

apprised of (informed of)

Question 58

The following broad ethical principles are based on social work’s _______ _______ of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Answer 58

core values

Question 59

These principles set forth ideals to which all social workers should ________.

Answer 59

aspire

Question 60

Value: Service

Answer 60

Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.

Question 61

Describe the ethical principle of service.

Answer 61

Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest.

Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems.

Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service).

Question 62

Value: Social Justice

Answer 62

Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.

Question 63

Describe the ethical principle of Social Justice.

Answer 63

Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people.

Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice.

These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity.

Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.

Question 64

Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person

Answer 64

Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.

Question 65

Describe the ethical principle of Dignity and Worth of the Person.

Answer 65

Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination.

Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs.

Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients and to the broader society.

They seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

Question 66

Value: Importance of Human Relationships

Answer 66

Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.

Question 67

Describe the ethical principle of the Importance of Human Relationships.

Answer 67

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.

Question 68

Value: Integrity

Answer 68

Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.

Question 69

Describe the ethical principle of Integrity.

Answer 69

Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them.

Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated.

Question 70

Value: Competence

Answer 70

Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.

Question 71

Describe the ethical principle of Competence.

Answer 71

Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice.

Social workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Question 72

The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all social workers. These standards concern:

Answer 72

(1) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients
(2) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to colleagues
(3) social workers’ ethical responsibilities in practice settings
(4) social workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals
(5) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the social work profession
(6) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the broader society.

Question 73

Some of the standards that follow are enforceable guidelines for professional conduct, and some are aspirational. The extent to which each standard is ________ is a matter of professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged violations of ethical standards.

Answer 73

enforceable

Question 74

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.01 Commitment to Clients

Answer 74

Social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients’ interests are primary.

However, social workers’ responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be so advised.

(Examples include when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others.)

Question 75

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.02 Self-Determination

Answer 75

Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals.

Social workers may limit clients’ right to self-determination when, in the social workers’ professional judgment, clients’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.

Question 76

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 76

(a) Social workers should provide services to clients only in the context of a professional relationship based, when appropriate, on valid informed consent.

Social workers should use clear and understandable language to inform clients of the purpose of the services, risks related to the services, limits to services because of the requirements of a third-party payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, clients’ right to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the consent.

Social workers should provide clients with an opportunity to ask questions.

Question 77

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 77

(b) In instances when clients are not literate or have difficulty understanding the primary language used in the practice setting, social workers should take steps to ensure clients’ comprehension.

This may include providing clients with a detailed verbal explanation or arranging for a qualified interpreter or translator whenever possible.

Question 78

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 78

(c) In instances when clients lack the capacity to provide informed consent, social workers should protect clients’ interests by seeking permission from an appropriate third party, informing clients consistent with the clients’ level of understanding.

In such instances social workers should seek to ensure that the third party acts in a manner consistent with clients’ wishes and interests.

Social workers should take reasonable steps to enhance such clients’ ability to give informed consent.

Question 79

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 79

(d) In instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients’ right to refuse service.

Question 80

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 80

(e) Social workers should discuss with clients the social workers’ policies concerning the use of technology in the provision of professional services.

Question 81

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 81

(f) Social workers who use technology to provide social work services should obtain informed consent from the individuals using these services during the initial screening or interview and prior to initiating services.

Social workers should assess clients’ capacity to provide informed consent and, when using technology to communicate, verify the identity and location of clients.

Question 82

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 82

(g) Social workers who use technology to provide social work services should assess the clients’ suitability and capacity for electronic and remote services.

Social workers should consider the clients’ intellectual, emotional, and physical ability to use technology to receive services and the clients’ ability to understand the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of such services.

If clients do not wish to use services provided through technology, social workers should help them identify alternate methods of service.

Question 83

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 83

(h) Social workers should obtain clients’ informed consent before making audio or video recordings of clients or permitting observation of service provision by a third party.

Question 84

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.03 Informed Consent

Answer 84

(i) Social workers should obtain client consent before conducting an electronic search on the client.

Exceptions may arise when the search is for purposes of protecting the client or other people from serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm, or for other compelling professional reasons.

Question 85

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.04 Competence

Answer 85

(a) Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience.

Question 86

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.04 Competence

Answer 86

(b) Social workers should provide services in substantive areas or use intervention techniques or approaches that are new to them only after engaging in appropriate study, training, consultation, and supervision from people who are competent in those interventions or techniques.

Question 87

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.04 Competence

Answer 87

(c) When generally recognized standards do not exist with respect to an emerging area of practice, social workers should exercise careful judgment and take responsible steps (including appropriate education, research, training, consultation, and supervision) to ensure the competence of their work and to protect clients from harm.

Question 88

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.04 Competence

Answer 88

(d) Social workers who use technology in the provision of social work services should ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide such services in a competent manner.

This includes an understanding of the special communication challenges when using technology and the ability to implement strategies to address these challenges.

Question 89

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.04 Competence

Answer 89

(e) Social workers who use technology in providing social work services should comply with the laws governing technology and social work practice in the jurisdiction in which they are regulated and located and, as applicable, in the jurisdiction in which the client is located.

Question 90

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity

Answer 90

(a) Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures.

Question 91

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity

Answer 91

(b) Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients’ cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups.

Question 92

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity

Answer 92

(c) Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability.

Question 93

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity

Answer 93

(d) Social workers who provide electronic social work services should be aware of cultural and socioeconomic differences among clients and how they may use electronic technology.

Social workers should assess cultural, environmental, economic, mental or physical ability, linguistic, and other issues that may affect the delivery or use of these services.

Question 94

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 94

(a) Social workers should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment.

Social workers should inform clients when a real or potential conflict of interest arises and take reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes the clients’ interests primary and protects clients’ interests to the greatest extent possible.

In some cases, protecting clients’ interests may require termination of the professional relationship with proper referral of the client.

Question 95

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 95

(b) Social workers should not take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests.

Question 96

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 96

(c) Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client.

In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, social workers should take steps to protect clients and are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.

(Dual or multiple relationships occur when social workers relate to clients in more than one relationship, whether professional, social, or business. Dual or multiple relationships can occur simultaneously or consecutively.)

Question 97

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 97

(d) When social workers provide services to two or more people who have a relationship with each other (for example, couples, family members), social workers should clarify with all parties which individuals will be considered clients and the nature of social workers’ professional obligations to the various individuals who are receiving services.

Social workers who anticipate a conflict of interest among the individuals receiving services or who anticipate having to perform in potentially conflicting roles (for example, when a social worker is asked to testify in a child custody dispute or divorce proceedings involving clients) should clarify their role with the parties involved and take appropriate action to minimize any conflict of interest.

Question 98

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 98

(e) Social workers should avoid communication with clients using technology (such as social networking sites, online chat, e-mail, text messages, telephone, and video) for personal or non-work-related purposes.

Question 99

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 99

(f) Social workers should be aware that posting personal information on professional Web sites or other media might cause boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients.

Question 100

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 100

(g) Social workers should be aware that personal affiliations may increase the likelihood that clients may discover the social worker’s presence on Web sites, social media, and other forms of technology.

Social workers should be aware that involvement in electronic communication with groups based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical ability, religion, immigration status, and other personal affiliations may affect their ability to work effectively with particular clients.

Question 101

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.06 Conflicts of Interest

Answer 101

(h) Social workers should avoid accepting requests from or engaging in personal relationships with clients on social networking sites or other electronic media to prevent boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients.

Question 102

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 102

(a) Social workers should respect clients’ right to privacy.

Social workers should not solicit private information from or about clients except for compelling professional reasons.

Once private information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply.

Question 103

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 103

(b) Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with valid consent from a client or a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of a client.

Question 104

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 104

(c) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons.

The general expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to a client or others.

In all instances, social workers should disclose the least amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired purpose; only information that is directly relevant to the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed.

Question 105

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 105

(d) Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential information and the potential consequences, when feasible before the disclosure is made.

This applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal requirement or client consent.

Question 106

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 106

(e) Social workers should discuss with clients and other interested parties the nature of confidentiality and limitations of clients’ right to confidentiality.

Social workers should review with clients circumstances where confidential information may be requested and where disclosure of confidential information may be legally required.

This discussion should occur as soon as possible in the social worker-client relationship and as needed throughout the course of the relationship.

Question 107

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 107

(f) When social workers provide counseling services to families, couples, or groups, social workers should seek agreement among the parties involved concerning each individual’s right to confidentiality and obligation to preserve the confidentiality of information shared by others.

This agreement should include consideration of whether confidential information may be exchanged in person or electronically, among clients or with others outside of formal counseling sessions.

Social workers should inform participants in family, couples, or group counseling that social workers cannot guarantee that all participants will honor such agreements.

Question 108

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 108

(g) Social workers should inform clients involved in family, couples, marital, or group counseling of the social worker’s, employer’s, and agency’s policy concerning the social worker’s disclosure of confidential information among the parties involved in the counseling.

Question 109

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 109

(h) Social workers should not disclose confidential information to third-party payers unless clients have authorized such disclosure.

Question 110

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 110

(i) Social workers should not discuss confidential information, electronically or in person, in any setting unless privacy can be ensured.

Social workers should not discuss confidential information in public or semi-public areas such as hallways, waiting rooms, elevators, and restaurants.

Question 111

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 111

(j) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law.

When a court of law or other legally authorized body orders social workers to disclose confidential or privileged information without a client’s consent and such disclosure could cause harm to the client, social workers should request that the court withdraw the order or limit the order as narrowly as possible or maintain the records under seal, unavailable for public inspection.

Question 112

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 112

(k) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients when responding to requests from members of the media.

Question 113

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 113

(l) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients’ written and electronic records and other sensitive information.

Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that clients’ records are stored in a secure location and that clients’ records are not available to others who are not authorized to have access.

Question 114

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 114

(m) Social workers should take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of electronic communications, including information provided to clients or third parties.

Social workers should use applicable safeguards (such as encryption, firewalls, and passwords) when using electronic communications such as e-mail, online posts, online chat sessions, mobile communication, and text messages .

Question 115

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 115

(n) Social workers should develop and disclose policies and procedures for notifying clients of any breach of confidential information in a timely manner.

Question 116

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 116

(o) In the event of unauthorized access to client records or information, including any unauthorized access to the social worker’s electronic communication or storage systems, social workers should inform clients of such disclosures, consistent with applicable laws and professional standards.

Question 117

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 117

(p) Social workers should develop and inform clients about their policies, consistent with prevailing social work ethical standards, on the use of electronic technology, including Internet-based search engines, to gather information about clients.

Question 118

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 118

(q) Social workers should avoid searching or gathering client information electronically unless there are compelling professional reasons, and when appropriate, with the client’s informed consent.

Question 119

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 119

(r) Social workers should avoid posting any identifying or confidential information about clients on professional websites or other forms of social media.

Question 120

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 120

(s) Social workers should transfer or dispose of clients’ records in a manner that protects clients’ confidentiality and is consistent with applicable laws governing records and social work licensure.

Question 121

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 121

(t) Social workers should take reasonable precautions to protect client confidentiality in the event of the social worker’s termination of practice, incapacitation, or death.

Question 122

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 122

(u) Social workers should not disclose identifying information when discussing clients for teaching or training purposes unless the client has consented to disclosure of confidential information.

Question 123

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 123

(v) Social workers should not disclose identifying information when discussing clients with consultants unless the client has consented to disclosure of confidential information or there is a compelling need for such disclosure.

Question 124

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 124

(w) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of deceased clients consistent with the preceding standards.

Question 125

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.08 Access to Records

Answer 125

(a) Social workers should provide clients with reasonable access to records concerning the clients.

Social workers who are concerned that clients’ access to their records could cause serious misunderstanding or harm to the client should provide assistance in interpreting the records and consultation with the client regarding the records.

Social workers should limit clients’ access to their records, or portions of their records, only in exceptional circumstances when there is compelling evidence that such access would cause serious harm to the client.

Both clients’ requests and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be documented in clients’ files.

Question 126

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.08 Access to Records

Answer 126

(b) Social workers should develop and inform clients about their policies, consistent with prevailing social work ethical standards, on the use of technology to provide clients with access to their records.

Question 127

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.08 Access to Records

Answer 127

(c) When providing clients with access to their records, social workers should take steps to protect the confidentiality of other individuals identified or discussed in such records.

Question 128

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.09 Sexual Relationships

Answer 128

(a) Social workers should under no circumstances engage in sexual activities, inappropriate sexual communications through the use of technology or in person, or sexual contact with current clients, whether such contact is consensual or forced.

Question 129

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.09 Sexual Relationships

Answer 129

(b) Social workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with clients’ relatives or other individuals with whom clients maintain a close personal relationship when there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client.

Sexual activity or sexual contact with clients’ relatives or other individuals with whom clients maintain a personal relationship has the potential to be harmful to the client and may make it difficult for the social worker and client to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Social workers–not their clients, their clients’ relatives, or other individuals with whom the client maintains a personal relationship–assume the full burden for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.

Question 130

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.09 Sexual Relationships

Answer 130

(c) Social workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with former clients because of the potential for harm to the client.

If social workers engage in conduct contrary to this prohibition or claim that an exception to this prohibition is warranted because of extraordinary circumstances, it is social workers–not their clients–who assume the full burden of demonstrating that the former client has not been exploited, coerced, or manipulated, intentionally or unintentionally.

Question 131

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.09 Sexual Relationships

Answer 131

(d) Social workers should not provide clinical services to individuals with whom they have had a prior sexual relationship. Providing clinical services to a former sexual partner has the potential to be harmful to the individual and is likely to make it difficult for the social worker and individual to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Question 132

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.10 Physical Contact

Answer 132

Social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is a possibility of psychological harm to the client as a result of the contact (such as cradling or caressing clients).

Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact.

Question 133

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.11 Sexual Harassment

Answer 133

Social workers should not sexually harass clients.

Sexual harassment includes sexual advances; sexual solicitation; requests for sexual favors; and other verbal, written, electronic, or physical contact of a sexual nature.

Question 134

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.12 Derogatory Language

Answer 134

Social workers should not use derogatory language in their written, verbal, or electronic communications to or about clients. Social workers should use accurate and respectful language in all communications to and about clients.

Question 135

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.13 Payment for Services

Answer 135

(a) When setting fees, social workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services performed.

Consideration should be given to clients’ ability to pay.

Question 136

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.13 Payment for Services

Answer 136

(b) Social workers should avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment for professional services.

Bartering arrangements, particularly involving services, create the potential for conflicts of interest, exploitation, and inappropriate boundaries in social workers’ relationships with clients.

Social workers should explore and may participate in bartering only in very limited circumstances when it can be demonstrated that such arrangements are an accepted practice among professionals in the local community, considered to be essential for the provision of services, negotiated without coercion, and entered into at the client’s initiative and with the client’s informed consent.

Social workers who accept goods or services from clients as payment for professional services assume the full burden of demonstrating that this arrangement will not be detrimental to the client or the professional relationship.

Question 137

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.13 Payment for Services

Answer 137

(c) Social workers should not solicit a private fee or other remuneration for providing services to clients who are entitled to such available services through the social workers’ employer or agency.

Question 138

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients

1.14 Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity

Answer 138

When social workers act on behalf of clients who lack the capacity to make informed decisions, social workers should take reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients.

Question 139

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.15 Interruption of Services

Answer 139

Social workers should make reasonable efforts to ensure continuity of services in the event that services are interrupted by factors such as unavailability, disruptions in electronic communication, relocation, illness, mental or physical ability, or death.

Question 140

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.16 Referral for Services

Answer 140

(a) Social workers should refer clients to other professionals when the other professionals’ specialized knowledge or expertise is needed to serve clients fully or when social workers believe that they are not being effective or making reasonable progress with clients and that other services are required.

Question 141

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.16 Referral for Services

Answer 141

(b) Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should take appropriate steps to facilitate an orderly transfer of responsibility.

Social workers who refer clients to other professionals should disclose, with clients’ consent, all pertinent information to the new service providers.

Question 142

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.16 Referral for Services

Answer 142

(c) Social workers are prohibited from giving or receiving payment for a referral when no professional service is provided by the referring social worker.

Question 143

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 143

(a) Social workers should terminate services to clients and professional relationships with them when such services and relationships are no longer required or no longer serve the clients’ needs or interests.

Question 144

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 144

(b) Social workers should take reasonable steps to avoid abandoning clients who are still in need of services.

Social workers should withdraw services precipitously only under unusual circumstances, giving careful consideration to all factors in the situation and taking care to minimize possible adverse effects.

Social workers should assist in making appropriate arrangements for continuation of services when necessary.

Question 145

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 145

(c) Social workers in fee-for-service settings may terminate services to clients who are not paying an overdue balance if the financial contractual arrangements have been made clear to the client, if the client does not pose an imminent danger to self or others, and if the clinical and other consequences of the current nonpayment have been addressed and discussed with the client.

Question 146

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 146

(d) Social workers should not terminate services to pursue a social, financial, or sexual relationship with a client.

Question 147

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 147

(e) Social workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of services to clients should notify clients promptly and seek the transfer, referral, or continuation of services in relation to the clients’ needs and preferences.

Question 148

Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients:

1.17 Termination of Services

Answer 148

(f) Social workers who are leaving an employment setting should inform clients of appropriate options for the continuation of services and of the benefits and risks of the options.

Question 149

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 01 Respect

Answer 149

(a) Social workers should treat colleagues with respect and should represent accurately and fairly the qualifications, views, and obligations of colleagues.

Question 150

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 01 Respect

Answer 150

(b) Social workers should avoid unwarranted negative criticism of colleagues in verbal, written, and electronic communications with clients or with other professionals.

Unwarranted negative criticism may include demeaning comments that refer to colleagues’ level of competence or to individuals’ attributes such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability.

Question 151

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 01 Respect

Answer 151

(c) Social workers should cooperate with social work colleagues and with colleagues of other professions when such cooperation serves the well-being of clients.

Question 152

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 02 Confidentiality

Answer 152

Social workers should respect confidential information shared by colleagues in the course of their professional relationships and transactions.

Social workers should ensure that such colleagues understand social workers’ obligation to respect confidentiality and any exceptions related to it.

Question 153

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 03 Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Answer 153

(a) Social workers who are members of an interdisciplinary team should participate in and contribute to decisions that affect the well-being of clients by drawing on the perspectives, values, and experiences of the social work profession.

Professional and ethical obligations of the interdisciplinary team as a whole and of its individual members should be clearly established.

Question 154

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 03 Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Answer 154

(b) Social workers for whom a team decision raises ethical concerns should attempt to resolve the disagreement through appropriate channels.

If the disagreement cannot be resolved, social workers should pursue other avenues to address their concerns consistent with client well-being.

Question 155

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 04 Disputes Involving Colleagues

Answer 155

(a) Social workers should not take advantage of a dispute between a colleague and an employer to obtain a position or otherwise advance the social workers’ own interests.

Question 156

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 04 Disputes Involving Colleagues

Answer 156

(b) Social workers should not exploit clients in disputes with colleagues or engage clients in any inappropriate discussion of conflicts between social workers and their colleagues.

Question 157

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 05 Consultation

Answer 157

(a) Social workers should seek the advice and counsel of colleagues whenever such consultation is in the best interests of clients.

Question 158

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 05 Consultation

Answer 158

(b) Social workers should keep themselves informed about colleagues’ areas of expertise and competencies.

Social workers should seek consultation only from colleagues who have demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and competence related to the subject of the consultation.

Question 159

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 05 Consultation

Answer 159

(c) When consulting with colleagues about clients, social workers should disclose the least amount of information necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation.

Question 160

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 06 Sexual Relationships

Answer 160

(a) Social workers who function as supervisors or educators should not engage in sexual activities or contact (including verbal, written, electronic, or physical contact) with supervisees, students, trainees, or other colleagues over whom they exercise professional authority.

Question 161

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 06 Sexual Relationships

Answer 161

(b) Social workers should avoid engaging in sexual relationships with colleagues when there is potential for a conflict of interest.

Social workers who become involved in, or anticipate becoming involved in, a sexual relationship with a colleague have a duty to transfer professional responsibilities, when necessary, to avoid a conflict of interest.

Question 162

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 07 Sexual Harassment

Answer 162

Social workers should not sexually harass supervisees, students, trainees, or colleagues.

Sexual harassment includes sexual advances; sexual solicitation; requests for sexual favors; and other verbal, written, electronic, or physical contact of a sexual nature.

Question 163

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 08 Impairment of Colleagues

Answer 163

(a) Social workers who have direct knowledge of a social work colleague’s impairment that is due to personal problems, psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties and that interferes with practice effectiveness should consult with that colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.

Question 164

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 08 Impairment of Colleagues

Answer 164

(b) Social workers who believe that a social work colleague’s impairment interferes with practice effectiveness and that the colleague has not taken adequate steps to address the impairment should take action through appropriate channels established by employers, agencies, NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, and other professional organizations.

Question 165

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 09 Incompetence of Colleagues

Answer 165

(a) Social workers who have direct knowledge of a social work colleague’s incompetence should consult with that colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.

Question 166

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 09 Incompetence of Colleagues

Answer 166

(b) Social workers who believe that a social work colleague is incompetent and has not taken adequate steps to address the incompetence should take action through appropriate channels established by employers, agencies, NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, and other professional organizations.

Question 167

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Answer 167

(a) Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues, including unethical conduct using technology.

Question 168

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Answer 168

(b) Social workers should be knowledgeable about established policies and procedures for handling concerns about colleagues’ unethical behavior.

Social workers should be familiar with national, state, and local procedures for handling ethics complaints.

These include policies and procedures created by NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, employers, agencies, and other professional organizations.

Question 169

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Answer 169

(c) Social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should seek resolution by discussing their concerns with the colleague when feasible and when such discussion is likely to be productive.

Question 170

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Answer 170

(d) When necessary, social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should take action through appropriate formal channels (such as contacting a state licensing board or regulatory body, the NASW National Ethics Committee, or other professional ethics committees).

Question 171

2. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues:

2. 10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Answer 171

(e) Social workers should defend and assist colleagues who are unjustly charged with unethical conduct.

Question 172

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 01 Supervision and Consultation

Answer 172

(a) Social workers who provide supervision or consultation (whether in-person or remotely) should have the necessary knowledge and skill to supervise or consult appropriately and should do so only within their areas of knowledge and competence.

Question 173

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 01 Supervision and Consultation

Answer 173

(b) Social workers who provide supervision or consultation are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.

Question 174

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 01 Supervision and Consultation

Answer 174

(c) Social workers should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with supervisees in which there is a risk of exploitation of or potential harm to the supervisee, including dual relationships that may arise while using social networking sites or other electronic media.

Question 175

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 01 Supervision and Consultation

Answer 175

(d) Social workers who provide supervision should evaluate supervisees’ performance in a manner that is fair and respectful.

Question 176

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 02 Education and Training

Answer 176

(a) Social workers who function as educators, field instructors for students, or trainers should provide instruction only within their areas of knowledge and competence and should provide instruction based on the most current information and knowledge available in the profession.

Question 177

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 02 Education and Training

Answer 177

(b) Social workers who function as educators or field instructors for students should evaluate students’ performance in a manner that is fair and respectful.

Question 178

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 02 Education and Training

Answer 178

(c) Social workers who function as educators or field instructors for students should take reasonable steps to ensure that clients are routinely informed when services are being provided by students.

Question 179

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 02 Education and Training

Answer 179

(d) Social workers who function as educators or field instructors for students should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with students in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the student, including dual relationships that may arise while using social networking sites or other electronic media.

Social work educators and field instructors are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.

Question 180

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 03 Performance Evaluation

Answer 180

Social workers who have responsibility for evaluating the performance of others should fulfill such responsibility in a fair and considerate manner and on the basis of clearly stated criteria.

Question 181

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 04 Client Records

Answer 181

(a) Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in electronic and paper records is accurate and reflects the services provided.

Question 182

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 04 Client Records

Answer 182

(b) Social workers should include sufficient and timely documentation in records to facilitate the delivery of services and to ensure continuity of services provided to clients in the future.

Question 183

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 04 Client Records

Answer 183

(c) Social workers’ documentation should protect clients’ privacy to the extent that is possible and appropriate and should include only information that is directly relevant to the delivery of services.

Question 184

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 04 Client Records

Answer 184

(d) Social workers should store records following the termination of services to ensure reasonable future access.

Records should be maintained for the number of years required by relevant laws, agency policies, and contracts.

Question 185

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 05 Billing

Answer 185

Social workers should establish and maintain billing practices that accurately reflect the nature and extent of services provided and that identify who provided the service in the practice setting.

Question 186

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 06 Client Transfer

Answer 186

(a) When an individual who is receiving services from another agency or colleague contacts a social worker for services, the social worker should carefully consider the client’s needs before agreeing to provide services.

To minimize possible confusion and conflict, social workers should discuss with potential clients the nature of the clients’ current relationship with other service providers and the implications, including possible benefits or risks, of entering into a relationship with a new service provider.

Question 187

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 06 Client Transfer

Answer 187

(b) If a new client has been served by another agency or colleague, social workers should discuss with the client whether consultation with the previous service provider is in the client’s best interest.

Question 188

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 07 Administration

Answer 188

(a) Social work administrators should advocate within and outside their agencies for adequate resources to meet clients’ needs.

Question 189

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 07 Administration

Answer 189

(b) Social workers should advocate for resource allocation procedures that are open and fair.

When not all clients’ needs can be met, an allocation procedure should be developed that is nondiscriminatory and based on appropriate and consistently applied principles.

Question 190

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 07 Administration

Answer 190

(c) Social workers who are administrators should take reasonable steps to ensure that adequate agency or organizational resources are available to provide appropriate staff supervision.

Question 191

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 07 Administration

Answer 191

(d) Social work administrators should take reasonable steps to ensure that the working environment for which they are responsible is consistent with and encourages compliance with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Social work administrators should take reasonable steps to eliminate any conditions in their organizations that violate, interfere with, or discourage compliance with the Code.

Question 192

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 08 Continuing Education and Staff Development

Answer 192

Social work administrators and supervisors should take reasonable steps to provide or arrange for continuing education and staff development for all staff for whom they are responsible.

Continuing education and staff development should address current knowledge and emerging developments related to social work practice and ethics.

Question 193

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 193

(a) Social workers generally should adhere to commitments made to employers and employing organizations.

Question 194

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 194

(b) Social workers should work to improve employing agencies’ policies and procedures and the efficiency and effectiveness of their services.

Question 195

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 195

(c) Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that employers are aware of social workers’ ethical obligations as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics and of the implications of those obligations for social work practice.

Question 196

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 196

(d) Social workers should not allow an employing organization’s policies, procedures, regulations, or administrative orders to interfere with their ethical practice of social work.

Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that their employing organizations’ practices are consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Question 197

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 197

(e) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the employing organization’s work assignments and in its employment policies and practices.

Question 198

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 198

(f) Social workers should accept employment or arrange student field placements only in organizations that exercise fair personnel practices.

Question 199

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 09 Commitments to Employers

Answer 199

(g) Social workers should be diligent stewards of the resources of their employing organizations, wisely conserving funds where appropriate and never misappropriating funds or using them for unintended purposes.

Question 200

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 10 Labor-Management Disputes

Answer 200

(a) Social workers may engage in organized action, including the formation of and participation in labor unions, to improve services to clients and working conditions.

Question 201

3. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings:
4. 10 Labor-Management Disputes

Answer 201

(b) The actions of social workers who are involved in labor-management disputes, job actions, or labor strikes should be guided by the profession’s values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.

Reasonable differences of opinion exist among social workers concerning their primary obligation as professionals during an actual or threatened labor strike or job action.

Social workers should carefully examine relevant issues and their possible impact on clients before deciding on a course of action.

Question 202

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 01 Competence

Answer 202

(a) Social workers should accept responsibility or employment only on the basis of existing competence or the intention to acquire the necessary competence.

Question 203

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 01 Competence

Answer 203

(b) Social workers should strive to become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions.

Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work.

Social workers should routinely review the professional literature and participate in continuing education relevant to social work practice and social work ethics.

Question 204

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 01 Competence

Answer 204

(c) Social workers should base practice on recognized knowledge, including empirically based knowledge, relevant to social work and social work ethics.

Question 205

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 02 Discrimination

Answer 205

Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.

Question 206

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 03 Private Conduct

Answer 206

Social workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

Question 207

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 04 Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception

Answer 207

Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.

Question 208

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 05 Impairment

Answer 208

(a) Social workers should not allow their own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance or to jeopardize the best interests of people for whom they have a professional responsibility.

Question 209

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 05 Impairment

Answer 209

(b) Social workers whose personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties interfere with their professional judgment and performance should immediately seek consultation and take appropriate remedial action by seeking professional help, making adjustments in workload, terminating practice, or taking any other steps necessary to protect clients and others.

Question 210

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 06 Misrepresentation

Answer 210

(a) Social workers should make clear distinctions between statements made and actions engaged in as a private individual and as a representative of the social work profession, a professional social work organization, or the social worker’s employing agency.

Question 211

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 06 Misrepresentation

Answer 211

(b) Social workers who speak on behalf of professional social work organizations should accurately represent the official and authorized positions of the organizations.

Question 212

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 06 Misrepresentation

Answer 212

(c) Social workers should ensure that their representations to clients, agencies, and the public of professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, or results to be achieved are accurate.

Social workers should claim only those relevant professional credentials they actually possess and take steps to correct any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of their credentials by others.

Question 213

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 07 Solicitations

Answer 213

(a) Social workers should not engage in uninvited solicitation of potential clients who, because of their circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence, manipulation, or coercion.

Question 214

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 07 Solicitations

Answer 214

(b) Social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements (including solicitation of consent to use a client’s prior statement as a testimonial endorsement) from current clients or from other people who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence.

Question 215

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 08 Acknowledging Credit

Answer 215

(a) Social workers should take responsibility and credit, including authorship credit, only for work they have actually performed and to which they have contributed.

Question 216

4. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals:
5. 08 Acknowledging Credit

Answer 216

(b) Social workers should honestly acknowledge the work of and the contributions made by others.

Question 217

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 01 Integrity of the Profession

Answer 217

(a) Social workers should work toward the maintenance and promotion of high standards of practice.

Question 218

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 01 Integrity of the Profession

Answer 218

(b) Social workers should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession.

Social workers should protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the profession through appropriate study and research, active discussion, and responsible criticism of the profession.

Question 219

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 01 Integrity of the Profession

Answer 219

(c) Social workers should contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the value, integrity, and competence of the social work profession.

These activities may include teaching, research, consultation, service, legislative testimony, presentations in the community, and participation in their professional organizations.

Question 220

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 01 Integrity of the Profession

Answer 220

(d) Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics.

Social workers should seek to contribute to the profession’s literature and to share their knowledge at professional meetings and conferences.

Question 221

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 01 Integrity of the Profession

Answer 221

(e) Social workers should act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work.

Question 222

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 222

(a) Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions.

Question 223

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 223

(b) Social workers should promote and facilitate evaluation and research to contribute to the development of knowledge.

Question 224

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 224

(c) Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work and fully use evaluation and research evidence in their professional practice.

Question 225

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 225

(d) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should carefully consider possible consequences and should follow guidelines developed for the protection of evaluation and research participants.

Appropriate institutional review boards should be consulted.

Question 226

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 226

(e) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should obtain voluntary and written informed consent from participants, when appropriate, without any implied or actual deprivation or penalty for refusal to participate; without undue inducement to participate; and with due regard for participants’ well-being, privacy, and dignity. Informed consent should include information about the nature, extent, and duration of the participation requested and disclosure of the risks and benefits of participation in the research.

Question 227

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 227

(f) When using electronic technology to facilitate evaluation or research, social workers should ensure that participants provide informed consent for the use of such technology.

Social workers should assess whether participants are able to use the technology and, when appropriate, offer reasonable alternatives to participate in the evaluation or research.

Question 228

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 228

(g) When evaluation or research participants are incapable of giving informed consent, social workers should provide an appropriate explanation to the participants, obtain the participants’ assent to the extent they are able, and obtain written consent from an appropriate proxy.

Question 229

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 229

(h) Social workers should never design or conduct evaluation or research that does not use consent procedures, such as certain forms of naturalistic observation and archival research, unless rigorous and responsible review of the research has found it to be justified because of its prospective scientific, educational, or applied value and unless equally effective alternative procedures that do not involve waiver of consent are not feasible.

Question 230

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 230

(i) Social workers should inform participants of their right to withdraw from evaluation and research at any time without penalty.

Question 231

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 231

(j) Social workers should take appropriate steps to ensure that participants in evaluation and research have access to appropriate supportive services.

Question 232

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 232

(k) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should protect participants from unwarranted physical or mental distress, harm, danger, or deprivation.

Question 233

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 233

(l) Social workers engaged in the evaluation of services should discuss collected information only for professional purposes and only with people professionally concerned with this information.

Question 234

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 234

(m) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should ensure the anonymity or confidentiality of participants and of the data obtained from them.

Social workers should inform participants of any limits of confidentiality, the measures that will be taken to ensure confidentiality, and when any records containing research data will be destroyed.

Question 235

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 235

(n) Social workers who report evaluation and research results should protect participants’ confidentiality by omitting identifying information unless proper consent has been obtained authorizing disclosure.

Question 236

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 236

(o) Social workers should report evaluation and research findings accurately.

They should not fabricate or falsify results and should take steps to correct any errors later found in published data using standard publication methods.

Question 237

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 237

(p) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest and dual relationships with participants, should inform participants when a real or potential conflict of interest arises, and should take steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes participants’ interests primary.

Question 238

5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession:
6. 02 Evaluation and Research

Answer 238

(q) Social workers should educate themselves, their students, and their colleagues about responsible research practices.

Question 239

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 01 Social Welfare

Answer 239

Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.

Question 240

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 02 Public Participation

Answer 240

Social workers should facilitate informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.

Question 241

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 03 Public Emergencies

Answer 241

Social workers should provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies to the greatest extent possible.

Question 242

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 04 Social and Political Action

Answer 242

(a) Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully.

Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.

Question 243

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 04 Social and Political Action

Answer 243

(b) Social workers should act to expand choice and opportunity for all people, with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups.

Question 244

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 04 Social and Political Action

Answer 244

(c) Social workers should promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally.

Social workers should promote policies and practices that demonstrate respect for difference, support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, advocate for programs and institutions that demonstrate cultural competence, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of and confirm equity and social justice for all people.

Question 245

6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society:
7. 04 Social and Political Action

Answer 245

(d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.