A review of core social work values, principles, and ethical standards as they relate to criminal justice social work practice.
Ethical standards and principles: A comprehensive understanding of the ethical standards and principles guiding social work practice is fundamental to the development of ethical competencies.
Professional boundaries: Criminal justice social workers must set clear professional boundaries in their work with clients, which often involves balancing the conflicting interests of the client, the justice system, and the public.
Confidentiality and its limits: Criminal justice social workers must maintain client confidentiality, but also understand when it is appropriate to breach confidentiality in cases of harm to self or others, or in response to legal requirements.
Informed consent: Social workers must obtain informed consent from clients before engaging in any intervention or treatment, and must ensure that clients have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
Conflict resolution: Social workers must be able to effectively resolve conflicts between clients, within teams, and with other stakeholders, while maintaining ethical and professional standards.
Cultural and diversity issues: Social workers must be sensitive to cultural, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in their work with clients, and must respect differences in beliefs, values, and traditions.
Dual relationships and conflicts of interest: Criminal justice social workers must avoid conflicts of interest and dual relationships that could compromise their professional judgment, impartiality, and ethical integrity.
Legal and ethical dilemmas: Criminal justice social workers are often faced with complex legal and ethical dilemmas that require creative and ethical solutions, while balancing the rights and needs of their clients, the justice system, and the public.
Self-care and burnout prevention: Criminal justice social workers must prioritize self-care and burnout prevention strategies to maintain their emotional and physical well-being, and avoid ethical violations or professional impairment.
Ethics codes and regulatory bodies: Criminal justice social workers must be familiar with the ethics codes and regulatory bodies governing their profession, and must adhere to professional standards of conduct and ethical guidelines.
Confidentiality: Duty to respect the privacy and confidentiality of all clients and their information, except when required by law or professional obligations.
Respect for autonomy: Social workers should promote the right of clients to self-determination, and ensure that their decisions and choices are based on informed consent.
Non-discrimination: Social workers should not discriminate against clients based on their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or any other characteristic.
Social Justice: Social workers should aim to promote social justice by advocating for the rights and welfare of marginalized and oppressed groups.
Cultural Competence: Social workers should seek to understand and respect the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of their clients, and provide culturally appropriate services.
Professional Responsibility: Social workers are expected to maintain a high level of professional competence, follow ethical standards, and uphold their obligations to clients, colleagues, and the wider community.
Integrity: Social workers should demonstrate honesty, transparency, and trustworthiness in their professional relationships and interactions.