Nasw Code Of Ethics Essay

The NASW Code of Ethics outlines the ethical responsibilities to colleagues including areas of respect, confidentiality, interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation, impairment or incompetence of a colleague, sexual relations and harassment, as well as unethical conduct of a colleague (NASW, 2008). In my opinion, the code of ethics is identifying common grounds for working with all human relationships, treating each other with kindness, respect and compassion, in addition to displaying professionalism in the field. Within my internship, I am only one of two social workers in our school district. I have encountered areas of conflict within my district, as my colleagues are not bound my the same ethical standards of the social work profession. I feel most of my colleagues do uphold the same standards of treating each other with the respect and engaging in professional behaviors, however there are times when I question the intent of a few colleagues. At times, I feel they may not be acting in the best interest of our district and are engaging in behaviors that appear intentional to cause conflict amongst their peers. Given I am interning at my place of employment, this can be a difficult area to address, however I have used this as an opportunity to talk with my field supervisor, as well as my administrators to ask for help in processing and addressing the conflict. I believe we are all confronted with these uncomfortable decisions at times and we use these situations as a chance to learn and grow. Understanding the importance of

working together as a team and having positive communication within your interdisciplinary teams, maintains a positive and respectful working environment.
Confidentiality is another area to address in regard to ethical responsibilities with colleagues.

The code of ethics states “social workers should respect confidential information shared by colleagues in the course of their professional relationships and transactions. Social workers should ensure that such colleagues understand social workers’ obligation to respect confidentiality and any exceptions related to it (NASW,

2008).”
Within my internship I am bound to my ethical standards of maintaining confidentiality and only disclosing information to the individuals that are in a need to know relationship with the student. This can often be difficult as we have many staff within the building interacting with our students and are not bound to the same ethical standards, as the social work profession. It is my role to explain to the staff the protected information they may be receiving and also to balance what is the least amount of information they need to continue to do their job, yet protect and work with our students.
Although, my internship is unique, as I am interning in my placement of employment I continue to use my field supervisor as a source of consultation. I feel being able to have someone to process these ethical situations with, that is bound by the same ethical standards, has been helpful.

References
Workers, N. A. (2008). NASW Code of Ethics (Guide to the Everyday Professional Conduct of Social Workers). Washington, DC: NASW.