The Ethical Requirements Protecting Confidential Information

1. There are a few boundary issues that need to be addressed. The social worker developed a personal relationship with Bea. Bea was in need of additional income, she wanted to find a female to rent her spare room to. The social worker had a friend, “a woman who might be interested” renting the room (Hoffman, & St. Clair, 2003, p. 46). She asked for permission to let her friend know of the room, asking to releasing Bea’s information was appropriate. The boundary issue is that the social worker should have not even offered her friend as an option to rent the room. This situation becomes a conflict of interest and cross the boundaries of social worker and client (NASW, 2008, p. 7). In addition to this situation the social worker admitted to having

Some of our service users have profound learning disabilities and their level of comprehension and understanding is very limited, however they communicate constantly.

This relates to the non –judgmentalism I received from my mother. This allowed me to feel comfortable with sharing my experience, and later reaching out to other family members. Code 1.02 Self-Determination, Code of Ethics (2008) states, “Social Workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This relates to my mother assisting me to become comfortable with sharing my experience. As well as, reach my future goal in obtaining outside help. Code 1.01 Commitment to Clients, Code of Ethics (2008) states, “Social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients’ interests are primary” (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This code goes against my experience with my psychiatrists. When entering her office, and disclosing my problem. She made me feel guilty, and allowed me to feel as though she was not there to promote my

4.3: Describe the potential tension between maintaining an individual’s confidentiality and disclosing concerns to agreed others.

Another strong ethical issue was the huge confidentiality issues that involves Susan and Savannah’s family. Susan reveals information about Savannah’s sessions while she was still in a medically induced coma, so clearly there was not permission to do so from Savannah or from a legal stance. The Code of Ethics prohibits this kind of behavior and as a social worker is not acceptable.

The nature of the banker-customer relationship is one of agency. Amongst the duties that stem from this relationship, the bank’s duty of confidentiality is clearly an issue of great importance. The focus of this essay is on the scope and limitations of the bank’s duty, both to its customers as to the public. In order to analyse this it is necessary to firstly consider the idea of duty of confidentiality, Secondly, it is necessary to study the Court of Appeal’s judgement in the case of Tournier. Thirdly, this essay will take the Jack Committee report into consideration. Lastly, this paper will briefly mention the Banking Code, it will also discuss whether the principle in Tournier may be outdated and if so, whether it is in need of a new crystallised self, clearly stating the limits and boundaries of the bank’s duties both to the customer and to the public itself in the form of a statute. To conclude this essay will consider the future of the duty of confidentiality.

1. The two ethical violations noted from the NASW Code of Ethics that was exhibited by the worker in the case titled No Mad Dog Looks is Commitment to Clients 1.01 which states "Social worker 's primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general client 's interests are primary. However, social workers ' responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be so advised. An example includes when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others" (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). On page 111 of the article by Duncan, No Mad Dog Looks,

The section of the National Association of Social Work Ethics that will be discussed will be number four which includes Social Workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals. This ethics code concentrates on a several different factors which include: 4.01 Competence, 4.02 discrimination, 4.03 private conduct, 4.04 dishonesty, 4.05 personal impairment, 4.06 misinterpretations, 4.07 solicitations, and 4.08 acknowledging credit.

Ethical dilemmas happen frequently in the social work and how one handles them could be the difference on how a clinician keeps their license or not. The problem is there is no way to prepare a person from knowing what situations will arise. Scenarios arise all the time and new ways to handle them is constantly changing. The ethical dilemma can happen anywhere and at any time with anyone, it could be a client, co-worker, and even supervisors. No social worker is safe from them. One however can practice with scenarios and be aware of personal biases. A social worker needs to evaluate each dilemma with the different frameworks and principals to determine which one applies best, anticipate what possible outcomes could happen, and what interventions a social worker would implement.

This policy has many principles that social workers are obliged to, in order to inform and guide ethical practice. One principle specifically that relates to Aileen’s case is section 3.2 stating that, “social justice is a core obligation which societies should be called upon to uphold. Societies should strive to afford protection and provide maximum benefit for all their members” (AAWS, 2010). In addition, the AAWS Code of Ethics elaborates on the principle of social justice requiring all social work professionals to; promote social fairness by reducing barriers with special regard for those who are vulnerable or oppressed, advocate for and fight against inequalities and injustice, and work to eliminate all violations of human rights (AAWS, 2010). Relating back to Aileen’s case, if these principles within the policy of the AAWS Code of ethics were to be implemented and operated on all levels including the micro, messo and macro levels, will create a platform and equal opportunity for equitable and socially just outcomes to be achieved in all

Moreover, this case should be analyzed based on the information provided by the NASW Code of Ethics. The ethical principle included in the NASW Code of Ethics (2008) states that “social worker’s primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems…Social workers seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner” (p.5). Suzanne’s social worker would only have to seek for Suzanne’s well-being because if Suzanne and Cindy get separated, they can lose contact, which would affect Suzanne 's emotions.

Confidentiality, privileged communication, and the duty to protect are important aspects of the social work world. All of these things, that I have found, coincide with our state laws and code of ethics main points. It is likely that they may have some discrepancies, but in the end, they follow the same central rule. Confidentiality, privileged communications and duty to protect is a huge aspect of being a social worker and when need to make sure that we are following the laws so that we do not get in trouble or a malpractice case filed.

There are many different instances in which ethical practise can effect a social care practitioner’s daily tasks in the work place. One example of where this happens, is the where ethical practice and the law coincide. In many instances, ethical standards are consistent with legal standards and requirements. However, social workers sometimes encounter circumstances in which legal standards clash with the profession’s ethical standards and their beliefs about their moral duty. If a member of the Gardaí was to ask a social care worker for confidential information regarding a

AAE is committed to the ethical use and protection of sensitive data such as operating policies and procedures, personnel records, vendor information, service level agreements, and contracts. To ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of this data and to protect AAE legal liability, and loss of goodwill to protect data provides this policy in support of a plan for business continuity and data recovery.

The duty of Confidentiality which banks owe their customers has developed into a heterogeneous principle over the past 90 years. In order to analyse this development it is necessary to firstly consider the idea of duty of confidentiality. Secondly, it is necessary to study the 1924 Court of Appeal judgement in the case of Tournier. Thirdly, this essay will take the Jack Committee report into consideration. Lastly, this paper will briefly mention the Banking code, it will also discuss the impact of the Data Protection Act. To conclude this essay will consider the future of the duty of confidentiality.