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NASW Ethical Standards
from
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
© 1999 NASW, excerpted here.
Please refer to the NASW website for the full text of the NASW Ethical Code
 The
following NASW Ethical Standards have been excerpted to show the parallels with
the APA codes selected for this workshop that are especially germane to rural
ethics. (Bold emphasis within the text has been added by
Dr Warner)
Ethical Standards
The following ethical
standards are relevant to the professional activities of all social workers.
These standards concern (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, and (6) social workers' ethical responsibilities
to the broader society.
Some of the standards that
follow are enforceable guidelines for professional conduct, and some are
aspirational. The extent to which each standard is enforceable is a matter of
professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged
violations of ethical standards.
1.06 Conflicts of Interest
(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.
(b) Social workers should
not take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit
others to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests.
(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.)
(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
4.03
Private Conduct
Social workers should not
permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their
professional responsibilities.
4.04
Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception
Social workers should not
participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.
6.01
Social Welfare
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.
6.04
Social and Political Action
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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, age, marital status, political belief,
religion, or mental or physical disability.
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