Ethics: NASW Explores Codes of Ethics in Social Work Practice

Understanding the Code of Ethics in Social Work Practice

Karen Zgoda (Nov. 19, 2015). Social Work Helper. Retrieved from: http://www.socialworkhelper.com/2015/11/19/understanding-code-ethics-social-work-practice/

Social workers are required to consider the code of ethics when working with clients in a therapeutic or direct practice relationship. However, we want to examine and discuss the implications of utilizing the code of ethics while working along the full continuum of social work practice from micro to macro. 

Most have heard about ethical issues relating confidentiality, dual relationships, and sexual relationships, but what do ethical dilemmas look like when working in communities, advocacy, or public policy? What ethical obligations do social workers when working in social justice versus working in one on one relationships with clients?

We will explore how practitioners and students view ethical obligations around macro practice and social justice issues. Our guest expert is Heather McCabe, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Indiana University. She served as a medical social worker at a pediatric tertiary care hospital for several years before returning to school for her law degree.

She also served as the Director of the Public Health Law Program  and then Executive Director for the Hall Center for Law and Health at the IU School of Law – Indianapolis before coming to her current position.  Professor McCabe’s research is primarily in the areas of public health, health policy, health disparities, health reform, and disability related policy.  She is particularly interested in exploring the effects of multidisciplinary education and collaboration in her work.

Questions to be explored:

1. Do you think about the NASW Code of Ethics applying to community organizing, policy practice, advocacy? If so, how?
2. If you see multiple clients with the same systemic issue, do you have any ethical obligation to address the issue?
3. What types of bills do you see as impacting your clients? What responsibility to you have to advocate for/educate about them?
4. Do you advocate for policy in your day to day work? Give an example.
5. How do we continue encouraging social workers to see practice as a continuum, which includes macro practice?

See #MacroSW Twitter chat here: https://twitter.com/hashtag/MacroSW?src=hash

Resources:

• Reisch, M. & Lowe, J.I. (2000). “Of means and ends” revisited: Teaching ethical community organizing in an unethical society. Journal of Community Practice, 7(1), 19-38.
• Hardina, D. (2000). Guidelines for ethical practice in community organization. Social Work, 49(4), 595-604.
• Harrington, D., & Dolgoff, R. (2008). Hierarchies of Ethical Principles for Ethical Decision Making in Social Work. Ethics and Social Welfare, 2(2), 183–196. doi:10.1080/17496530802117680
• National Association of Social Workers. (2008).  Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
• Rome, S.H.,Hoechstetter, S., and Wolf-Branigin, M. (2010). Pushing the envelope: Empowering clients through political action. Journal of Policy Practice, 9(3-4), 201-219.
• Rome, S.H. (2009). Value inventory for policy advocacy. In E.P Congress, P.N. Black, and K. Strom-Gottfried (Eds.) Teaching Social Work Values and Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education.

Jay Memmott: The NASW Code of Ethics. (6 Sep 2013). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26N6p9O9HcU 

Activism: CASW Calls for A New Social Care Act for Canada

For immediate release

A New Social Care Act for Canada

OTTAWA, November 25, 2015 – The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) today issued A New Social Care Act for Canada that provides an in-depth history of Canada’s social policy trajectory and paints a picture of the Canada that might have been before it was derailed by a climate of austerity and budget-balancing-at-any-cost mentality.

Like the Canada Health Act, CASW proposes that a Social Care Act for Canada be grounded in ten principles that would not impose restrictions or regulations on the provinces and territories, but rather serve as a catalyst for renewed federal leadership to support the delivery of equitable services to all populations across Canada.

Ten Principles of New Social Care Act for Canada

1. Public administration	6. Comprehensiveness
2. Universality	7. Portability
3. Accessibility	8. Fairness
4. Effectiveness	9. Accountability and Transparency
5. Rights and Responsibility	10. Comparability

With the commitment to a new Health Accord and renewed promise of national leadership, CASW urges the new Liberal government to boldly adopt a new Social Care Act for Canada to help guide the Canada Social Transfer and all new investments in social infrastructure.

“The Canadian health care system stands to save significantly by adopting a bold vision to address the social determinants of health, as the best research available clearly demonstrates that health, social and economic outcomes are inextricably linked” states CASW President, Morel Caissie.

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For further information:
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW
CASW Executive Director
Tel: 613-729-6668
E-mail: fred.phelps@casw-acts.ca

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Pour publication immédiate

Une nouvelle Loi sur l'action sociale pour le Canada

OTTAWA, le 25 novembre 2015 – L'Association canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux (ACTS) publie aujourd'hui Une nouvelle Loi sur l'action sociale pour le Canada. On y présente un historique en profondeur de l'évolution des politiques sociales au Canada, peignant un portrait du Canada, tel qu'il aurait pu être, s'il n'avait déraillé en raison d'un climat d'austérité et d'une mentalité axée sur la réduction du déficit à tout prix.

À l'instar de la Loi canadienne sur la santé, l'ACTS propose qu'une Loi sur l'action sociale au Canada s'appuie sur dix principes qui n'imposeraient pas de restrictions ou de règles aux provinces et territoires, mais qui serviraient plutôt de catalyseurs d'un leadership fédéral renouvelé visant à soutenir la prestation de services équitables à l'ensemble de la population canadienne.
​​

Dix principes d'une nouvelle Loi sur l'action sociale pour le Canada

1. Gestion publique	6. Intégralité
2. Universalité	7. Transférabilité
3. Accessibilité	8. Équité
4. Efficacité	9. Reddition de comptes et transparence
5. Droits et responsabilités	10. Comparabilité

En regard de son engagement de parvenir à un nouvel Accord en santé et d'assurer un leadership fédéral, l'ACTS prie instamment le nouveau gouvernement libéral d'adopter hardiment une nouvelle Loi sur l'action sociale pour le Canada, qui aiderait à orienter le Transfert canadien en matière de programmes sociaux et tous les nouveaux investissements en infrastructure.

« Le système canadien des soins de santé pourrait réaliser des économies importantes en adoptant une vision audacieuse pour s'attaquer aux déterminants sociaux de la santé – les meilleures recherches démontrant clairement que la santé et les résultats sociaux et économiques sont inextricablement liés », affirme le président de l'ACTS, Morel Caissie.

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Pour plus de renseignements:
Fred Phelps, M.Serv.Soc., TSI
Directeur général, ACTS
Tél. : 613-729-6668
​Courriel : fred.phelps@casw-acts.ca

Activism: Edmonton social workers aims to sponsor Syrian family

Group of Edmonton social workers aims to sponsor Syrian family

Paige Parsons (November 24, 2015). Edmonton Journal. Retrieved from: http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/group-of-edmonton-social-workers-hope-to-sponsor-syrian-family

A group of Edmonton social workers is calling on colleagues across the province to help raise funds needed to sponsor a Syrian refugee family.

The group comprises faculty members from the University of Calgary Department of Social Work’s Edmonton campus. It needs to raise $30,000 to cover the expenses of a family of five’s first year in Canada, which will pay for housing, food, clothing and transportation.

“We just felt that as social workers we could be doing more to make a difference,” said Julie Drolet, one of the professors spearheading the sponsorship.

Drolet said during a department meeting last month there was a discussion about how she and her colleagues could get involved. Drolet proposed they start a refugee sponsorship.

“There was great support amongst our colleagues in Edmonton, and also with our colleagues in other parts of Alberta,” Drolet said.

Drolet said they’re hoping to tap into that support to meet the $30,000 target.

“We’re also inviting social workers to join with us as volunteers, if people have donations of expertise that they’d like to lend, in helping to facilitate the settlement and integration. We think that social workers can play an important role in this,” she said.

The social workers are also hopeful the general public will be willing to make donations and are interested in partnering with any groups interested in holding fundraising events to help meet the goal.

Drolet said once a certain amount of money has been raised, they’ll be able to choose a family, who will arrive in Canada about four to six months after that.

Drolet said she and her colleagues are hopeful they will be able to assist the family getting settled.
For more information or to make a donation to this campaign, visit the Mennonite Central Committee’s website.

pparsons@edmontonjournal.com
twitter.com/paigeeparsons

How can I help Syrian refugees coming to Edmonton?

Many Edmontonians moved by the plight of Syrian refugees want to help, but aren’t sure how. Below are a number of ways to get involved by volunteering, donating money or items to assist with the resettlement of Syrian families in Edmonton, as well as information about how to offer housing or help with sponsoring a Syrian family.

Donate money

• The Edmonton Mennonite Centre has set up the Syrian Emergency Relief Fund to collect money that will be used to help with settlement needs for Syrians arriving in Edmonton. All funds will be used to support Syrian refugee families and any donations collected before Dec. 31 will be matched by the federal government’s Syrian Emergency Relief matching fund.
• Edmonton Catholic Social Services is also collecting donations. To specifically give money to support Syrian refugees, call 780-432-1137.

Donate items

• Islamic Family Social Services Association is collecting clothing donations that will be used to help not only Syrian Refugees, whose need for clothes vary, but any individuals in Edmonton who are in need. For more information, call 780-430-9220 or email info@ifssa.ca.
• St. Vincent De Paul is working with Catholic Social Services to support incoming Syrians and is accepting seasonal clothing — winter boots, coats, mitts, scarves, etc. — as well as housewares. As with IFSSA, donated items may be distributed to any local people in need.

Volunteer

• Catholic Social Services is gathering information from people interested in volunteering with Syrian refugees. People can indicate the amount and type of volunteering they’d like to do here or by calling the Syrian refugee volunteer line at 780-391-3338.
• The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers is also recruiting volunteers and is currently looking for homework tutors to support newcomer and refugee children in schools. For more information call 780-424-7709 or visit the EMCN website.

Offer a residence to rent

• Edmonton Catholic Social Services is co-ordinating landlords in Edmonton and Red Deer who are willing to rent out a residence to incoming refugees. Property owners can apply to rent out their unit by filling out this form.

Sponsor a family

• The Mennonite Central Committee Alberta is accepting donations to supplement the efforts of groups that have been unable to raise enough money to qualify to sponsor a Syrian family. For more information about sponsorship, email office@mccab.org.

Employment: Complex Care Social Worker - Vancouver

City Centre Care Society

Social Worker, Vancouver

City Centre Care Society operates two facilities, Central City Lodge which houses the Complex Care and Addiction Recovery Programs and Cooper Place, the Assisted Living Program. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Social Worker assists with admission and discharge planning and provides comprehensive case management services to residents, counselling to residents and families, and facilitates access to community services.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from an accredited university - Masters level preferred.
• Have four years recent related experience in an acute care or residential setting working with older adults with cognitive impairment, brain injury, and mental health and/or addiction challenges; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Maintenance of registration with the BC College of Social Workers is required.

Please email your resume to Wendy Harvey, Director Operations and Leadership to resumes@cccares.org or telephone 604.639.8230. Deadline for application is December 7, 2015.

More information: www.cccares.org

Advocacy: NASW 60th Anniversary - Forums on Ethics, Family Well-Being, and Equity

NASW Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Forum on Ethics, Family Well-Being, and Equity

Social Work Helper (16 Nov 2015). Retrieved from: http://www.socialworkhelper.com/2015/11/16/nasw-celebrates-60th-anniversary-forum-ethics-family-well-equity/

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) celebrated its 60th year with a special anniversary forum on Oct. 23, 2015 bringing together leaders of the profession to discuss how social workers can lead national efforts that improve family well-being, ensure liberty and equity for all, and develop ethical responses to new technologies and globalization.

The event also commemorated the 55th anniversary of the NASW Code of Ethics, which guides the ethical conduct of the profession, and the 40th anniversaries of the NASW National Committee on Women’s Issues (NCOWI) and National Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (NCORED). These committees continue to support initiatives that advocate for women’s rights and ensure that racial and ethnic diversity are included in NASW policies and programs.

In conjunction with the forum NCORED released an updated “Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice,” originally published in 2001, and “Indicators for the Achievement of the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice,” published in 2007.  These standards will help social workers better serve the increasingly diverse U.S. population.

As part of the celebration, 19 eminent social workers were inducted into the NASW Social Work Pioneers®, an NASW Foundation program that recognizes social workers who have elevated the profession. NASW will also honor six individuals who have made significant contributions to the Code of Ethics and to the advancement of social work ethics (See lists below).

“NASW and the social work profession have much to celebrate and much to be proud about,” NASW CEO Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW said. “This leadership forum will be an opportunity to reflect on how NASW has helped pave the way for positive change in our society since 1955. It challenges leaders in the field to discuss how social workers can have the greatest impact on serving our nation’s families, helping achieve critical social justice goals, and understanding the ethical implications of seismic changes in technology and globalization over the last decade. ”

“This forum is also an excellent way to publicly honor our new NASW Social Work Pioneers and individuals who have helped make the NASW Code of Ethics the guiding light for the profession,” McClain said. “NCORED and NCOWI have also helped guarantee that NASW continues to be one of largest professional organizations in the world advocating for equal rights and social justice for all.”

Three panels were shared via live stream which included “Family Well-Being Across the Lifespan,” “Equity and Liberty in the 21st Century” and “Code of Ethics: Evolution and Emerging Issues.” Social workers and other human service professionals can register for the live stream to listen to the panels and take part in a virtual Q&A. NASW President Darrell Wheeler, PhD, MPH, ACSW, will help moderate the program.

Family Well-Being Across Lifespan

Panel was moderated by Howard University Professor Tricia Bent-Goodley, current editor of the Journal of Social Work. Panelists are Richard Barth, dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work; Alexandria, VA school social worker and NASW 2014 Social Worker of the Year Ana Bonilla-Galdamez; and Laura Taylor, national director of social work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Equity and Liberty in the 21st Century

Panel was moderated by past NASW President Gary Bailey, professor of practice at Simmons College School of Social Work. Panelists are Ellen Kahn, director of the Children, Youth and Families Program at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation; Carol Bonner, associate dean at Salem State University School of Social Work and chair of NASW’s National Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity; and Joyce James of Joyce James Consulting, a trainer with the People’s Institute Undoing Racism Campaign.

Code of Ethics: Evolution and Emerging Issues

Panel was moderated by Allan Barsky, professor of social work at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Panelists are Frederic Reamer, professor at the Rhode Island College School of Social Work and author of “The Social Work Ethics Case Book”; Mary Jo Monahan, CEO of the Association of Social Work Boards; and Jo Ann Regan, vice president of education at the Council on Social Work Education.

To see the list of inductees:

http://www.socialworkhelper.com/2015/11/16/nasw-celebrates-60th-anniversary-forum-ethics-family-well-equity/

Advocacy: CASW Statement on the Refugee Crisis

For immediate release
November 20, 2015​

CASW Statement on the Refugee Crisis

The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) affirms the Liberal Government’s commitment to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before year’s end. Especially in the wake of recent high-profile terrorist attacks that have shaken the global community, CASW redoubles its supports of our federal government’s international humanitarian obligations.

“At this very difficult time, following the horrifying attacks on Paris and Beirut, our country is understandably distressed. Of course, balancing security and humanitarian initiatives need to be Canada’s top priorities,” stated CASW President Morel Caissie.

“However, in light of recent acts aimed at Muslim Canadian communities that are highly disturbing and fundamentally un-Canadian, it is crucial to remember that refugees are fleeing the very same violence that Canadians abhor,” added Mr. Caissie.

To this end, CASW has been an outspoken advocate for refugees’ rights in Canada for many years, denouncing the previous administration’s drastic cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) that limited essential health care for refugee claimants.

Additionally, CASW was deeply disappointed in the previous government’s callous decision to allow the provinces and territories to impose a minimum residency requirement on refugees to access social assistance. “We hope that the Liberal Government takes this opportunity to act on their promises, and reverse these changes as we prepare to welcome the first waves of refugees,” noted Mr. Caissie.

Social Workers, with an ethical obligation to uphold the dignity and worth of all people and working in diverse sectors across the country, are uniquely positioned to help welcome and settle asylum seekers. “I know that Social Workers, whether working in public or private positions, will be ready to help support the federal government’s commitment and show these refugees, and the rest of the world, why Canada is known for its values of acceptance, pluralism, and compassion,” concluded Mr. Caissie.  

Video: Social workers as super-heroes

Social workers as super-heroes | Anna Scheyett | TEDxColumbiaSC   

TEDx Talks. Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27QjpQ_Ieo