Ethics and Professional Practice Flashcards

The NASW Code of Ethics identifies which value as the primary ethical obligation of social workers, including those in child welfare?

Answer: Service to others and prioritizing client well-being

The primary ethical obligation of social workers is service—elevating clients' interests and well-being above personal gain, with child welfare workers holding this obligation toward children and families.

A child welfare worker learns that a colleague is falsifying documentation in case files. What is the most appropriate ethical response?

Answer: Report the misconduct through appropriate channels such as the supervisor or ethics complaint process

The NASW Code requires social workers to take action when they have reason to believe a colleague is engaging in unethical conduct, using established reporting mechanisms.

What is the ethical principle of 'self-determination' in child welfare practice?

Answer: The client's right to make their own decisions, including decisions the worker disagrees with, within legal limits

Self-determination is the ethical principle that clients have the right to make their own choices and decisions; workers must respect this even when they disagree, except when choices create serious, foreseeable harm.

Which ethical principle requires child welfare workers to maintain confidentiality of client information?

Answer: Privacy and confidentiality

The ethical principle of privacy and confidentiality obligates workers to protect client information from unauthorized disclosure, with specific exceptions for mandated reporting and court processes.

When a child welfare worker's personal values conflict with a client's beliefs or lifestyle, the ethically correct approach is to:

Answer: Maintain professional objectivity by setting aside personal values and respecting the client's right to their own beliefs

Professional ethics require workers to separate their personal values from professional practice, maintaining objectivity and respecting client diversity without imposing their own values.

What does 'dual relationship' mean in child welfare practice and why is it ethically problematic?

Answer: A professional relationship that overlaps with a personal, financial, or other relationship, creating a conflict of interest

A dual relationship exists when a worker has both a professional and personal/financial/social relationship with a client, creating conflicts of interest that compromise professional judgment and objectivity.