100788: Ethical and Legal Standards in Social Work: Consistency and Conflicts

About the Course:

Social workers frequently encounter circumstances involving ethical and legal issues. In many instances, relevant ethical and legal standards complement each other; however, in some circumstances, ethical and legal standards conflict. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between U. S. ethical and legal standards in social work. The author presents a conceptually based typology of four types of relationships between legal and ethical standards. Case examples are included. The author concludes with a decision-making framework designed to enhance social workers’ constructive management of difficult decisions involving ethical and legal standards. COURSE SYLLABUS I. Introduction II. Legal Issues in Practice III. Ethical Issues in Practice IV. Ethical and Legal Issues: A Typology V. Legal and Ethical Compatability VI. Simultaneous Legal and Ethical Incompatibility VII Legal Compatibility, Ethical Incompatibility VIII. Ethical Compatibility, Legal Incompatibility IX . Discussion

Journal/Publisher:

Families in Society (Alliance for Children and Families)

Publication Date:

2005/ Vol. 86, No. 2

Author

Frederic G. Reamer

About the Author:

Professor Rhode Island College School of Social Work

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about ethics. It is appropriate for participants with all levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. identify legal and ethical standards that are relevant in practitioner decision making.

2. describe four types of relationships between legal and ethical standards.

3. describe a decision-making framework that can be utilized for the constructive management of difficult social worker decisions.