Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 127
Ethics 1
This is also a good opportunity to debunk the myth of ‘absolute’ confidentiality
in practice. There may be instances which would warrant an escalation
of the case to the relevant authorities despite the rights of clients to selfdetermination. For example, this would take place in a situation where the
client is posing a threat to his/her own safety or that of others. Moreover, the
current body of literature increasingly seems to postulate that practitioners
move away from the minefield of debates surrounding ‘absolute’ versus
‘conditional’ confidentiality and instead acknowledge explicitly and honestly
to their clients that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, but that their
information would be treated with respect.
When ethical obligations conflict
There can also be a situation when ethical obligations can conflict with each
other or with other considerations. For example, what if an agency requires
the social workers to ask prospective clients certain questions and, depending
on the response, deny the client’s request based on a specific orientation?
Under the Code, a worker is supposed to follow the agency policy because
she is committed to complying with the policy of the employing agency. And
yet under the Code, a worker is also not supposed to discriminate. Thus, the
worker is caught in a bind as to whether they should follow the agency policy
(which means “discrimination”), or to refuse to discriminate against the client.
When faced with conflicting obligations, a worker may need to prioritize one
ethical obligation over another. What usually happens is that a worker would
usually avoid such a dilemma by not working in an agency that is likely to have
specific practices running counter to his or her own values and hence avoid
conflicting ethical obligations.
Although much of the Code focuses on work with clients, some sections apply
to conduct outside of the social worker’s role, for example
“Social workers refrain from any personal behaviour which damage the
functioning of the profession, in accordance with the values stated in this
Code.” (SASW Code D4)
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