Ethics and Values

The importance of ethics and values are expressed in every course throughout the WWU Human Services program as enumerated in the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) National Standards. (Appendix P)This document establishes the educational criteria for curriculum in Human Services Education. The nature of working with individuals in such close proximity on a daily basis and being privileged to be part of their lives in a close and personal manner means that the professional must maintain the highest degree of integrity. Coming from a law enforcement background this is a frame of mind I am used to. One thing I have always felt to be true is that I cant control whether people choose to like or dislike me, but I can maintain my ethics and morals in such a way that my character is not in question. During HSP 301 Human Service Professionals and Personal Systems we were asked to reflect on who we were and what made us arrive at the decision of wanting to be a human service professional through our, Who Am I presentation and paper (Appendix A). I reflected on my upbringing and my desire to utilize my personal attributes of compassion, strength of character and a desire to help others through the difficult times of their lives. I recognized in entering the Human Services program that I was surrounded by others who felt the same desire to help and the same value in maintaining high standards of personal conduct.

Ethics and Values

One of the resources we have been referred to for professional guidance is the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and their Code of Ethics (https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp) which articulates the professionalism expected of individuals who work in this profession. While it is essential to have standards to reference for clarity, it should be common sense to professionals that because we are choosing a profession with such a degree of trust we must carry ourselves in a manner that avoids putting our intentions or motives in question. Our obligation goes beyond an obligation to our clients. We have an obligation to our communities and our profession as a whole to act with honor and integrity. The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) outlines the standards expected of Human Service Professionals in their various interactions. (Appendix Q) Clients We must respect the privacy and individual needs of our clients and avoid discussions that conflict with our obligation to hold their information in confidence. The NOHS standards related to the Human Service Professionals Responsibility to Clients states, Human service professionals protect the integrity, safety, and security of client records. All written client information that is shared with other professionals, except in the course of professional supervision, must have the client's prior written consent (Statement 5, NOHS Standards). Consultations with other professionals should refrain from identifying the personal information of a specific client. There is undeniable

Ethics and Values

value in consulting with colleagues for another viewpoint, however in doing so the clients identity should never be revealed without expressed written release from the client. Also related to the client relationship is Statement 9 of the NOHS Standards, Human service professionals recognize and build on client strengths. Each client has potential supports within their reach. As a human service professional it is my role to help clients to recognize their strengths and focus on those in order to develop a strategy for success as they move beyond their current hardship.

Community One area of potential strength is through the community. Remaining engaged in the current issues is essential. Human service professionals keep informed about current social issues as they affect the client and the community. They share that information with clients, groups and community as part of their work (Statement 11, NOHS Standards). HSP 455 Diversity and Social Justice reminded me of the value and importance of keeping up to date and aware of current social issues. Human service professionals are knowledgeable about the cultures and communities within which they practice. They are aware of multiculturalism in society and its impact on the community as well as individuals within the community. They respect individuals and groups, their cultures and beliefs (Statement 18, NOHS Standards). Another term I have become familiar with is cultural

Ethics and Values

competency. By learning about the communities our clients are connected to we can better understand their cultural norms and values. By being more informed we are more likely to come up with appropriate responses that meet the needs of the client in a more holistic way. Colleagues Our interactions with our colleague should support our desire to work in partnership for the good of our clients however there may be times we do not share the same views. When a human service professional has a conflict with a colleague, he or she first seeks out the colleague in an attempt to manage the problem. If necessary, the professional then seeks the assistance of supervisors, consultants or other professionals in efforts to manage the problem (Statement 23, NOHS Standards). During my first internship experience in HSP 340 Practicum and Seminar I one of my learning objectives was to, Understand and demonstrate my ability to establish professional relationships and maintain professional boundaries. (Appendix R) I achieved this goal through interacting in a professional manner with my coworkers and supervisors. In our daily work environments many of us work within an environment where numerous professionals provide services within the community. It is our obligation to hold our coworkers to the same degree of professionalism as we hold ourselves. We recognize and respect our differences and work together for the betterment of our clients, our communities, and our profession.

Ethics and Values

Profession Within our professional interactions we must recognize and acknowledge that it is impossible for any of us to be experts in all areas of human services. Human service professionals know the limit and scope of their professional knowledge and offer services only within their knowledge and skill base (Statement 26, NOHS Standards). Through networking and maintaining professional relationships with others in our field we are able to provide referrals for appropriate care on behalf of our clients. Human service professionals act with integrity, honesty, genuineness, and objectivity (Statement 28, NOHS Standards). The high standards we expect of ourselves and others in our profession guide our decision making. Employers As employees we hold our employers to the standards we share. Human service professionals participate in efforts to establish and maintain employment conditions which are conducive to high quality client services. They assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the agency through reliable and valid assessment measures (Statement 33, NOHS Standards). Our true belief of this statement is shown through continuous analysis of our work. In HSP 485 Program Planning and Evaluation we learned the value of evaluating existing programs to determine if they are meeting their intended goal. By completing an unbiased evaluation of programs and services on a regular basis we can insure we are meeting the needs of our clients.

Ethics and Values

Self The bottom line in all of this is to be true to yourself, maintain high expectations of yourself, and dont lower your standards for anyone. Human service professionals recognize a commitment to lifelong learning and continually upgrade knowledge and skills to serve the populations better (Statement 37, NOHS Standards). We are never done learning and gaining new insights. It is energizing to continue to learn and to continue to seek new information. Throughout my career I will continue to seek training opportunities that keep me up to date with the current information available. There are standards and expectations for the Human Service professional because of the value and importance of the role we play in the lives of so many. It is an honor to be among the professional trusted with the care, guidance, support and empowerment of our neighbors and community members. I look forward to accepting the challenges that stand before me as I
begin my career in human services.