Title: Describe ethical issues related to professional caregiving.
Course: Family and Human Services I (19999-I) > Section: Examining Ethical and Professional Concerns

Description should include appropriate professional and personal boundaries and

- harmful and/or deceptive behaviors (e.g., psychological abuse, physical abuse)
- financial exploitation
- compliance with codes and regulations (e.g., National Association of Social Workers [NASW] Code of Ethics)
- client rights (e.g., protection of privacy, confidentiality, dignity, and autonomy) and the ethical and legal ramifications of violating those rights
- appropriate collaborative relationships with clients, families, colleagues, and appropriate partner organizations
- structural explanations for why issues occur

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What ethical issues are associated with family and human services?
- Why is it important to discuss ethical issues during caregiving?
- Why is it important to have ethical relationships with clients, families, and colleagues?

Communication

- How might clients communicate needs to a caregiver?
- To whom should family and human services professionals communicate concerns about unethical behavior?
- When should communication with law enforcement officials take place?

Leadership

- What responsibility does the family have in notifying family and human services personnel when unethical behavior exists?
- What responsibility do family and human services professionals have in notifying the family when unethical behavior exists?
- What responsibility do financial institutions have when fraudulent activity is suspected?

Management

- What might be the emotional effect on the client and on the family when laws are not followed?
- How might the client and the family be affected if fraudulent activity exists?