5.1 Standards of Practice and Ethics

RSWs are caring professionals with integrity and great responsibility.  Working with clients, they identify goals and together, work toward achieving them.  When you run your own private practice, there are no organizational policies to guide you, so it is critical to refer to, and follow, the standards of practice that are set out for you. Regulatory organizations, like the British Columbia College of Social Workers or the Prince Edward Island Social Work Registration Board, have been designated by their jurisdictional government to set minimum standards in accordance with legislation. These standards promote excellence and help you refine how you deliver your services.  It’s a good idea to get into the habit of documenting how you follow the standards.  This will help you stay current with the standards and serves as assurance in case you need to prove that you observe proper protocol and procedures.  The social work profession changes over time and so do the standards,  currently they include for example:

• General practice
• Ethical guidelines
• Confidentiality
• Conflict of interest
• Record management
• Professional relationships
• Fees for service
• Advertising
• Accessibility
• Malpractice insurance
• Pro bono services
• Coverage by competent peers in case of absence
• Counseling using technology (for example: Skype)

Please refer to your regulatory organization’s website or contact them directly to get the current standards of practice, codes of ethics and other applicable documents.