Professional Boundaries In Social Work

Professional boundaries act as guidelines principles for many defining principles which help us act professionally in our respective fields. These boundary issues appear when social workers are made to face situations entailing conflict of interest. Such conflicts appear when the social workers have multiple relationships with the clients. Similar situation may arise with the colleagues as well. Assumption of second relationship other than the professional one with the client and colleague is what leads to emergence of ethical issues related to professional boundaries.

The social work profession’s Standards of Practice outlines the boundaries in the relationship between social workers and their clients and sets a mandate of their responsibilities as a social worker (Alberta College of Social Workers, 2013, p. 30). In the Code of Ethics, boundaries are also set at a high standard as we must draw metaphysical lines between personal roles or interests and professional (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005, p. 7) to prevent forming a dual relationship with clients. Another boundary is to halt the possibility of the social worker from using the time they have to help themselves rather than helping their clients (CASW, 2005, p. 6). In addition to these boundaries, it is crucial for social workers to not share too much of their personal life with clients by placing mental boundaries of how much they feel they can share of their personal life with their clients.

Social workers consist of several professions and duties. They can be clinical physicians, teachers, psychologists, managers etc. Contained in this paper are the issues with boundaries and the different ethical examples that must come into display to teach the future social workers ways on conducting dual relationships within a work place. Dual relationships transpire when social workers view a client in more than one relationship, either social, business, professional; which can later be a product to boundary violations and boundary crossings. To have the possibility for exploitation or harm to a client is what makes dual relationships treacherous. Some dual relationships are unavoidable. Ethical issues that are associated with professional

A professional does not cross the boundaries with the client in any way. Clients will test the boundaries the professional has set to see if the professional will bend. An example, I had a client who would invite me to a white supremacist meeting, I properly denied the invitation, and redirected the client. After a few weeks, the client kept insisting I attended the meeting. Boundaries will be hard to keep as a social worker, if the client has experience similar hardships. In this situation is important to remain professional and to self-reflect. Urdang informs the reader how individuals will be drawn to clients who experience the same background and struggles in life, the boundaries will become blurred and social work will assist the client based on what the social worker experienced instead of taking the client’s opinion into consideration (2010, p.527). If the individual cannot assist the client because of the similarities it is best to ask another social worker to assist the client. The code of ethics informs social workers to be professional and have integrity; following the code of ethics and not breaking the boundaries the professional has set. The social worker cannot base the clients options on what they have experienced, they give options for the client to select and support their

As I begin to explore and assess my community, I have chosen Wynnewood, PA, part of The Mainline. Within this community, there’s an OB clinic in a suburban setting that serves the obstetrical patients. With the patients and health care workers all living in this small suburban community, workers may encounter boundaries with knowing their clients personally, and also some of the patient’s friends or family members. The workers will have to deal with how to be professional not to breach any information about other patients. They will also have to deal with personal vs. professional situations that may arise. In certain situations, it would be wise of the practitioner to broach the boundary issues with the client as early in their relationship as possible and discuss reasonable ways of handling potentially awkward circumstances in a manner that both find comfortable and in a way that protects the client’s interests to the greatest extent possible (Frederic G. Reamer, 2012). Social workers should document these conversations to demonstrate their earnest efforts to handle these situations responsibly and

The CSWE ensures that social workers are educated and competent in the field of social work. It serves as a guideline for social work educators. The (CSWE) uses the Educational Policy Act Standards (EPAS) to accredit baccalaureate and master’s level social work programs. EPAS supports academic excellence by establishing thresholds for professional competence (CSWE, 2015).

There are certain guidelines, expectations and ethical codes to be adhered to in all disciplines in the healthcare system and social work is of no exception to this. The following piece shall explain how the social work discipline requires from its members, that they obtain a professional identity and assimilate this identity not only into their work life but also into an extensive amount of their private life as well. Clients and/or patients have to place an enormous quantity of trust, reliance and dependence into the integrity of the professionals in these fields of practise. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, (2010). Informs: “The social work profession values honesty, transparency, reliability, empathy, reflective self-awareness, discernment, competence and commitment”. Also: “Members of the social work profession apply knowledge and skills in ways that prioritise the needs of others over their own personal gain”. (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010). To be indicted of ‘unprofessional’ conduct is a formidable disgracing mechanism and being branded as ‘unprofessional’ would be probably the worst label that could be affixed to a social worker. This would also of the highest probability end in the practitioner being dismissed from duties, if found to be guilty of the offence of ‘professional misconduct’, and then eventually fully, disgracefully discharged. This would also be a

Fundamentally, it is vitally important to maintain professional boundaries between other staff members and individuals in your care, taking care to maintain a strong sense of mural respect and understanding of the beliefs of others, regardless of your opinion of them.

Professional boundaries, in human services, are essential to helping clients and upholding the standards of the profession. Human service professionals provide several different services and are often faced with ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas are a major reason professional boundaries are established as they protect both the helper and the individual seeking help. Boundaries are not just rules that we enforce with clients, they are essentially an understanding of how we interact with people, both, professionally and personally. Boundaries are crucial if you want to have an effective relationship with the individual you are helping. Professional boundaries set the structure of the relationship and provide a framework in which you will

This paper will discuss the contract and barriers for John that might interfere with him completing his goals. In addition, this paper will address the questions if the caseworker is working harder than the client, concerns about John completing his goals and what they maybe, any resistance from John, possible barriers that may conflict with John completing his goals, and any value conflicts that might be present. Furthermore, the ending of this paper will suggest recommendations for treatment for John and some long-term goals that could be added at a later time to help my client.

What the debate around the professional identity of social workers is as presented in the book?

It is clear that social workers play an important role in society; it would therefore make sense to ensure that the working conditions of social workers are kept to a high standard. Without these good working standards it is likely that social workers might be affected by the job related stresses that are inherent to jobs dealing with troubled people. These high job stresses may lead to greater turn over and unwillingness amongst students to become social workers. Consequently the methods by which social workers and their respective employers have been discussed in this essay and include things like being given greater autonomy over their own scheduling and how they choose to deal with clients. Social workers may also be able to improve their

Define professional boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations. What effects do boundaries have on the therapeutic relationship?

Social work agencies strive to provide access to services that promote well-being for those most in need in society. Different agencies may vary in regard to their specific purposes, missions, or foundations. Two agencies that provide assistance in diverse ways to individuals in need are the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and The Mayhill Hospital. The following discussion will explore comparisons and contrasts between these agencies with regard to their focuses, interventions, and roles.

My vision of the social work field is being able to help people in need and being the person that people can look back on and remember as a huge help in time of need. I think my core values and beliefs will help me be an effective social worker and help me succeed in this field. It is in my belief that a person should never be knocked down when they are going through hardships, and rather empowering them. I also believe that not everyone could be a social worker because it takes a certain kind of empathetic and self-aware person. I truly believe that my upbringing has humbled me to understand and not be judgmental of people’s issues since I’ve seen a lot in my short twenty-one years.