Ethical standards in the human services field

Feedback from professor below:

Now, keep moving in this direction. The synthesis and flow of your posts need to be improved upon. All references need to be clearly integrated into your personal perspective. I need to see you use the references as an integrative piece of your posts instead of a standalone piece. We are still working on that analytical piece as discussed in previous dialogue work.

I still need to see more of the application piece I continue to reflect about. Your reference use should be more about how you are analytically reflecting about the research. You are continuing to improve in this area. I encourage you to just continue to work on the application piece of how you are expanding on the authoritative voice used in your posts or your classmates posts.

Topic: Search the web for ethical standards in the Human Services field, then find at least 5 Scriptures describing how we should treat others and care for them. Compare and contrast the Human Service ethics standards with biblical standards. How are they alike? How are they different? Reply to 3 of your classmates' threads from the last module/week. Each reply must be at least 150 words and meaningfully expand the discussion. I have 4 below, reply to 3 of the 4. With references!! Thank you.

1. Reply Ra K.

Ethical standards are used as guidelines between the social worker and client. The guidelines are use to help the client get the most out of their meeting with their social worker. With looking at ethical standards, God is at the center point of putting these in places because He wants to protect His children. As we go deeper into ethical standards we need to look at them the way God wants us to look at them through scripture. As we look at the scripture we need to see how different or similar the standards are with the scriptures.

The first ethical standard that needs to be discussed is confidentiality. Proverbs 26:20-22 states that as a social worker we need to keep things clients tell us to ourselves to keep from having altercations. As a social worker keeping confidentiality will help your client open up to you more when things that occur in their life are terrible. Having the trust will help the fire from burning between you and your client. As in the bible, we do not want to gossip, and this plays a role in being a social worker because no social worker should tell another social worker anything about a client, unless the client

allows the information to be said to other social workers, otherwise harm will come to the client or a person a client knows. As a social worker, having an understanding of your client is knowing when to be quiet and not gossip about their client (Proverbs 11:12-13). One thing that is different with confidentiality based on the scriptures is that gossip does happen within the Christian community, and as a social worker it cannot, because of the rules set in the ethics of confidentiality (Psalms 41:6).

The ethical standard that needs to be discussed is to provide services to the client having the right boundaries. While not following the boundaries within the scope of practice for social work is not counting the cost of what could happen to the social worker going outside of their boundaries (Luke 14:28). As a social worker you need to look at what you can offer and not be foolish and go outside your scope of practice (Luke 12:28-32). One difference is God can go outside His scope of practice to do anything, because he is perfect, and as a social worker you cannot go outside your scope because you can lose your job, due to because of the boundaries set in place to protect clients within the standards of ethics (Psalm 18:30).

The ethical standard that needs to be discussed is to treat everyone with worth no matter what culture they have come from or where they are in life. Everyone has a purpose and a reason to be here because they are made in Gods image (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). There are no small parts; everyone needs be seen as one in humanity. As social workers we need to look at our clients through God’s eye instead of looking at our out clients through the eyes of a man, because everyone in this world has a purpose (1 Corinthians 12:15-26). The difference between scripture and the standards of ethics is that people will look through the eye of man to judge people that come from different cultures.

The ethical standard that needs to be discussed is that the social worker and client should not have any sexual contact. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4), God wants you to away from having sex unless it with your married partner. As a social worker you should not lust about your client, or want to have any sexual relations with that client (1 Thessalonians 4:5). That means you should never take advantage of your client in any possible way (1 Thessalonians 4:6). A social worker who has a relationship with Jesus and does not want to stay clean is rejecting God “who has given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). There is not real difference between scripture and ethical standards when it comes to sexual contact.

The ethical standard that needs to be discussed with a client is when it is time to terminate the services for the client. It states that in the presence of the social worker, the client is doing the work. When not in the presence of the social worker they are still working on their goals outside of the office in their daily life (Philippians 2:12-13). Then the social worker states, you have come as far as you can and you are ready to be done with working with me. You are ready to keep continuing with God at your side. The difference in the standards of ethics with termination is that when the client is done working with the social worker, God will keep guiding them in the right direction for their future.

References

Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. (2014). Retrieved

September 18, 2014, from, http://www.socialworkers . org/pubs/code/code.

asp

The Life Application Study Bible is an edition of the Holy Bible, New Living

Translation. (2nd ed.). (2004). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

2 Reply

Ter Y The Human Service field is one that requires contact with a wide variety of people with a vast array of problems. Handling each and every situation/client requires the human service worker to be able to provide proper treatment in regards to dignity, respect and have the client’s welfare top priority. The human service worker should also hold themselves in the same manner as his/her client, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them like-wise” (Luke 6:31). They should hold the upmost dignity, and respect while maintaining their integrity in each situation.

Providing a professional relationship should be the only relationship a human service worker is engaged in with each client. Protecting each client’s right to his/her privacy and confidentiality should also be adhered too. However, in the instance that withholding information might cause the client or someone else harm, that privacy and confidentiality should be handled in an appropriate manner to ensure the safety of all involved. The files of the client should also be handled in a confidential manner, with respect to the integrity and safety of the client.

The client should be informed of his/her rights to receive or refuse service, “For each one shall bear his own load” (Galatians 6:5), and understand those rights will be protected. They should also be made aware of the nature of the worker-client relationship with the limits of that relationship and the goals. The limits of confidentiality and the reason to break confidentiality should also be discussed in the beginning of the worker-client relationship. The human service worker should understand recognize the strengths of the client and use those strengths in a manner to reach the goals set, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers(Ephesians 4:29). They should work to not put down the client, but to build them up in order for them to be able to succeed and rise above their current life predicament.

These guidelines that have been outlined by the National Organization of Human Services (2014), are standards that should be upheld to the highest by each human service worker. Each client is unique in his/her own way and by offering him/her with the highest degree of professionalism with regards to these ethical standards it the right each one holds.

Galatians 3:28 tells us that we are all children of God, and should not be discriminated against because of race, life predicament, or sex. Just as a worker for a human service agency should view each client as an individual and allow them the freedom of discrimination, as “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34), neither should they. Just as a client should be treated with dignity and respect, Titus 2:7 talks about how we should act as a model of integrity and dignity.

Confidentiality and Privacy not only protects the client’s information and safety, it shows the client that they can trust the human service worker and not have to worry about their situation being thrown out in the open for all to know. Proverbs 11:12-14 is similar to this in telling us to be understanding of one’s privacy and not break that confidentiality. This gains respect for the human service worker as well. The ethical code of confidentiality is a very important aspect of the human service-client relationship. It is not only demanded of the relationship, it gives the client the security to know that his/her situation can be dealt with privately and the fear of their situation being heard on the streets is diminished.

As important as it is to uphold the dignity and integrity of the client, the human service worker must also be concerned with their own integrity. If they are not a trustworthy person and cannot uphold the code of ethics for the client, then how can the client trust them to help them out of their situation? “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint” (Proverbs 25:19). This verse sums it all up pretty well, if a human service worker is supposed to be a helpful link to a way out of a problem and they cannot be trusted, then the client is only going to be handed more problems.

The Bible and the Human Service Ethics both focus on how to treat human beings with the respect, dignity, upholding his/her integrity and providing the freedom of receiving services without being discriminated against. Helping people in their time of trouble is not only the job of a human service worker, but can also be a rewarding experience, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11), Working with people in need can be as uplifting and inspiring to the human service worker as it is to the client. Having ethical standards that are set in place to protect the client as well as the human service worker allows both parties to be insured that the dignity, integrity and respect of both parties will be protected.

When working in the human service field, we all have our own beliefs and values and desire to help those in immediate need. Working in the human service field requires a person to not only follow the code of ethics, but to also understand how having their own religious values and beliefs plays a huge role in how they view those they are helping. I feel that the Bible works hand in hand with the code of ethics, and the only difference I found was that when it talked about relationships, it did not mention professional relationships. Whether it is mentioned in the Bible about a professional relationship, or normal relationship, I still feel the Bible is compatible with the code of ethics. I know from experience it has been my faith that has carried me through many days of working with those in need.

References

Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals (2014). Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals

New King James Version (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.

3 Reply

P.A.

Today in the Human Services field many secular professionals should uphold a high standards with their clients. Likewise, Christians should uphold an even higher standards with their clients. Rather, a Christian or a secular professional it is imperative to treat each client with the upmost respect. There are many job requirements to follow as a secular professional, but if the secular professionals do not have Christian values they will not fully follow them.

There are several ethical statements that Human Services Professional should follow. One statement states “human service professionals negotiate with clients the purpose, goals, and nature of the helping relationship prior to its onset.” (National, 2014) As a human service professional it is mandated to obtain information for the clients that in order to better assist them with their progression. Similar, Christian professionals will do the same thing, but they will perform at the best of their abilities and do it unto the Lord. The scripture says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23.” This ethical statement is similar to the biblical standard because they both are going to be diligent in getting all information needed to do their job effectively and help better assist their client.

Another statement states “human service professionals respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times.”(National, 2014) This statement requires that the professional be honest and have the client’s best interest at heart. It is vital that as a human services professional their actions speak louder than their words, so that, a client can trust the professional. 1 John 3:18 ESV says “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Similar, feign love is when a human service professional can pretend to have the client’s best interest at heart, and not really love nor respect them.

Thirdly, “human service professionals protects the client's right to privacy and confidentiality.” (National, 2014) Professionals in the human services field are tasked with a great responsibility of making sure information that is given by a client is kept between the two of them. No matter who tries to get the information, it is against the policy of most companies to ensure the client’s confidentiality. The comparison between a Christian professional and a regular professional is a Christian professional is more willing to honor his or her word, such as, a vow made to God. The professional may tend to give out information to a co-worker without thinking. In fact, both the secular professional and the Christian is governed by law to never freely give out any information concerning a client without the client’s permission. Proverbs 11:13 (NIV) says “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

The fourth statement states “the human service professional acts in an appropriate and professional manner to protect the safety of those individuals.” (National, 2014) A human service professional has been given the authority to protect their clients from all bad counsel same as the Christian. Proverbs 11: 14 (NKJV) says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” If a counselor gives a client useful information that clients is more susceptible to take the right path and recover from a major trauma in their life.

Lastly, the seventeenth statement states, “Human service professionals provide services without discrimination or preference.”(National, 2014) Similar, the Christian professional belief is that his God rains on the just as well as the unjust, Matthew 5:25, thus clarifying that his services are without discrimination or preference. It is important to note that there are several ethical statements that Human Services Professionals should follow. Even though one maybe a secular professional or a Christian professional because Christ died for all, this is the most important statement.

Reference

National Organization for Human Services (2014). Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals

4 Reply

Br P

Working in the Human Services field is for those who wish to help others live better lives. In order to do this, those who work in this field must have some ethical standards to follow and these standards can also be applied biblically in how to treat others. Luke 6:31 (ESV) says, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” This verse can be applied to the ethical standards set forth by the National Organization for Human Services regarding the professional’s responsibility to clients. Specifically, it can be applied to statement number 2 that says, “Human service professionals respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times. Each client is treated with respect, acceptance and dignity,” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d.). This can be a problem if by some strange chance someone in this profession does not want to be treated with something like acceptance, thus not treating the client with acceptance, respect, etc. Another verse that may be applied to this statement of ethical standards is John 15:12; “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you,” (ESV). While this is a wonderful verse to keep in mind and apply when dealing with others, Human Services professionals still need to maintain some kind of boundaries with clients as to not cross over the professional/client relationship. This issue is addressed in Statement 6 of the ethical standards which mentions the unequal roles of the client and the helping professional.

I think one verse that is crucial to remember when working with others is Philippians 2:4 which states, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” (ESV). This is probably one of the most applicable Bible verses to remember in the Human Services profession – particularly Statement 9 of the ethical standards that suggests building on a client’s strengths and not our own. Philippians 2:3 is also a good verse to apply here; “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,” (ESV). It is important to remember you are responsible for helping someone else in dealing with something they feel they are not capable of on their own. If you are more concerned with your lunch break or something at home than the person you are helping, then you may not be doing your job.

Statement number 14 says, “Human service professionals represent their qualifications to the public accurately,” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d.). Being honest is not only an ethical standard to uphold in the Human Services profession, but also as a child of Christ. “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment,” (Proverbs 12:19, ESV). Someone may want to make themselves look better by lying about their credentials, and it may make someone feel more comfortable about using you as help for the time-being, but it is more harmful in the end because the person who has lied does not have the training or knowledge to truly help those that come to them.

References

Holy Bible, ESV

Unknown. (n.d.). Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals. National Organization of Human Services Professionals. Retrieved September 21, 2014, from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals.