Code of Practice

and

Ethical Dilemmas
T.Y. LEE, Fieldwork Coordinator BSW
1999 T.Y. LEE 1

The Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers in Hong Kong

Prepared by

The

Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board

1999

T.Y. LEE

The Code of Practice

an operational statement of the central values of the social work profession. Social work students should be
is

thoroughly familiar with it.

Represents

standards of ethical behavior for social workers.

T.Y. LEE 3

1999

Contents of the Code of Practice 1. Basic values and beliefs 2. Principles of practice

1999

T.Y. LEE

Principles of Practice
Personal
Clients

Conduct

Colleagues
Agency

Profession
Society
1999 T.Y. LEE 5

Violation of the Code of Practice

may

lead to failure in fieldwork assessment a placement student breaches the Code,

if

evidence for the malpractice is upheld, his/her fieldwork will be given a

when

failure or zero mark

1999 T.Y. LEE 6

What is an ethical dilemma? It is a Conflict between ...

ones personal and professional values two values/ethical principles two possible actions each with reasons strongly favorable and unfavorable two unsatisfactory alternatives ones values/principles and ones perceived role

1999

the need to act and the need to reflect

T.Y. LEE 7

Can ethical dilemma be avoided?

You

can avoid ethical

cannot completely
T.Y. LEE 8

dilemmas! But...
You

avoid ethical dilemmas!

1999

You can avoid ethical dilemmas! An Example

Your placement is in a school, you should give prior thought to how you would respond when a child reveals abuse or neglect. Find out how your field instructor wants you to handle these situations. What information does the school expect you will share with concerned teachers? The principal?

T.Y. LEE

1999

You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas!

It

is best to prepare yourself for them

examining your own values from time to time

by

learning all you can about: how past ethical problems in your placement settings were resolved.
and
1999 T.Y. LEE 10

What are the behaviors that will almost always be viewed as

unethical?
1999 T.Y. LEE 11

Sexual intimacy with clients

1999

T.Y. LEE

12

Libeling or slandering a client

1999

T.Y. LEE

13

Sharing confidences without compelling professional reasons

1999

T.Y. LEE

14

Assaulting, causing physical injuries, or placing clients in danger

1999

T.Y. LEE

15

Discriminatory practices

1999

T.Y. LEE

16

Withdrawing services precipitously (abandoning a client)

1999

T.Y. LEE

17

Failure to warn and protect the victim of a violent crime

1999

T.Y. LEE

18

Failure to exercise reasonable precautions with a potentially suicidal client

1999

T.Y. LEE

19

Promising cures for problems

1999

T.Y. LEE

20

How do I avoid rushing into ethical dilemmas?

Develop

a working knowledge of the Code of Practice

(by necessity they cannot be specific to every possible ethics violation)

By

anticipating likely trouble spots before they occur.

T.Y. LEE 21

1999

How do I dilemmas?

resolve

ethical

The first step is recognizing the problem and identifying the source of the conflict. You also must keep all parties informed of your legal and ethical obligations. Engage clients or involved parties in
dialogue, and brainstorm the best

course of action.
1999 T.Y. LEE 22

Make sure you are constantly keeping in mind the mission of the profession and
observing the clients right to self-

determination.

If you are still unclear about what to do, discuss

the situation with your field

instructor.

Protect the identity of the client if necessary, and present the situation as a hypothetical case if you need external help.
T.Y. LEE 23

1999

The priority ranking of ethical principles (Lowenberg and Dolgoff ,1992) An

approach for ordering social work values that might help you get off the horns of a dilemma. Protection of life

Equality Autonomy and freedom Least harm Quality of life Privacy and confidentiality Truthfulness and full disclosure

1999 T.Y. LEE 24

How do I know whether I am doing the right thing?

It is not always possible to know,

but there is a greater chance that we can feel good about the decision we have to make if we go through a deliberate process where

we examine our values, seek additional information, and

1999

consult

others.

T.Y. LEE

25

A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)

1.

definition of the dilemma,

1999

T.Y. LEE

26

A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983).

looking

at all the

relevant facts and developing valid arguments for various courses of action,
1999 T.Y. LEE 27

A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)

3.

consideration of practice wisdom, personal beliefs and values, and how these might influence the final decision,
28

1999

T.Y. LEE

A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)

4.

developing options, exploring compromises, evaluating alternatives in an attempt to find a course of action with
the least negative effects, and

1999

T.Y. LEE

29

A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)

5.

choosing a

position
that you can

defend.
1999 T.Y. LEE 30

The End
Read the Code of Practice and keep a copy while you practice
1999 T.Y. LEE 31