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FOREWORD
The Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers first
came into force following its gazettal on 16 October 1998.
Subsequently, the Social Workers Registration Board drew up
the Guidelines on Code of Practice for Registered Social
Workers to help social workers implement and observe the
standards laid down in the Code of Practice through better
understanding of the provisions and their interpretation.
The Guidelines is not part
but a mere reference document of the Code of Practice. The
Board will not use it as a basis for determining whether or
not a social worker has violated professional conduct. A
disciplinary committee, however, may use the Guidelines in
ways pertinent and appropriate, which may include analysing
the various issues involved in a complaint case. The
disciplinary committee will not fetter its discretion by its
reference to the Guidelines but will take into account all
the facts and circumstances of the case when considering it.
As a disciplinary committee may use
the Guidelines as a reference material at a disciplinary
hearing, the Board will make necessary arrangements to
ensure that all social workers are informed of the latest
version of the Guidelines. In this respect, the Board will
consult social workers on any proposed amendments to the
Guidelines and promulgate the latest version of the document
to them through every possible and effective channel.
As the Guidelines is a
reference document, it cannot exhaust all possible
circumstances or scenarios. Therefore, when providing
services, social workers should use the Code of Practice as
a guiding principle and the Guidelines as a reference. To
provide their clients(1)
with appropriate and professional service, social workers
should keep abreast of the laws of Hong Kong which may be
amended from time to time. They should also, in the light
of the circumstances, make professional and responsible
judgments after striking a balance between the interests of
clients(2) and the rights of their significant
others, including other family members, the agency, the
community and the society at large.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
Related to Clients
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Responsibility
1
Social workers have a primary responsibility to clients.
Guidelines
1.1 The interests of clients are of
paramount importance unless the safety and rights of others
would be jeopardized.
1.2
Social workers
should provide services to their clients within their
competence, based on their education, training, supervised
experience, and relevant professional knowledge and skills.
1.2.1
When experimenting
new techniques and methods is required, social workers
should inform their clients, obtain clients¡¦ consent, and
secure endorsement from their supervisors and agencies.
Even if social workers have obtained consent from their
clients, the interests of clients cannot be compromised in
any circumstances.
1.2.2
Social workers
should make appropriate referral if their clients¡¦ problems
are beyond social workers¡¦ competence, or the agency¡¦s
resources or scope of service.
1.2.3
In the case where
there is an emergency, even if the service requested is
beyond the agency¡¦s scope of service, social workers should
attend to the cases, provide immediate as well as necessary
services and make referrals as and when necessary.
1.3 Social workers should refrain
from providing services to clients when social workers are
aware of their personal factors and value conflict that may
lead to inappropriate or inadequate service or that may
cause harm to clients.
1.4 Social workers should avoid as
far as possible relationships and/or commitments that may
conflict with the interests of clients. If a conflict of
interest is likely or unavoidable, social workers should as
far as possible declare and make such conflict of interests
known to clients and inform clients of their rights to
terminate the service or to request for transfer.
1.5 In the case where there is a
change of post or job, or termination of service, social
workers should, except under unusual circumstances or
situations beyond their control, make proper arrangement for
the preparation of clients and the handing-over of the work
to another colleague, carefully consider possible negative
factors in the situation and minimize possible adverse
effects.
Cultural
Awareness
2
Social workers should recognise the ethnic and cultural
diversity of the communities being served.
3
Social workers should be acquainted with and sensitive to
the cultures of clients and appreciate the differences among
them in respect of their ethnicity, national origin,
religion and custom.
Informed Decision and Self-determination
4 Social workers acknowledge a
responsibility to inform clients of their rights and help
them to obtain appropriate services. Clients should also be
informed of, as far as possible, obligations and possible
consequences associated with services provided to them.
Guidelines
4.1 Social workers should as far as
possible inform clients of their rights, obligations,
opportunities and risks associated with the service
delivered to them at the initial stage in a manner
appropriate to clients¡¦ background and ability.
4.1.1 Social workers should not
knowingly withhold information or give false information and
as a result, clients are deprived of their fair share of
benefits entitled and may make a major decision without
being aware of the impact of the result.
4.2 Social workers should duly
inform clients of workers¡¦ names, positions, roles, and the
status as registered social workers.
4.3 Social workers should inform
clients of the channels for them to make complaints. They
should not deter clients from lodging complaints against
them with the employing agency or other authorities.
5
Social workers should clearly inform clients, who are using
services under compulsion, of their rights as well as the
limits of their rights and assist them in attaining as much
autonomy as possible.
6
Taking into account the limit of clients¡¦ rights to
self-determination, social workers should encourage clients
to participate as far as possible in decision-making about
the goals, alternatives and services available to them.
Guidelines
6.1 Social workers should make
reasonable effort to foster self-determination and autonomy
on the part of clients. For small children or people who
are mentally incapacitated, social workers should respect
their rights and their ability in making choices related to
their own interests.
Use of Information and Principles of
Confidentiality
7 Social workers should respect
clients¡¦ right to privacy and confidentiality of their
information. They should also, as far as possible, fully
inform clients of the limits of confidentiality in a given
situation, the purpose for which information is obtained,
and how it may be used.
Guidelines
7.1 Social workers employed in a
particular social welfare agency are agents of the agency to
provide services to clients. Unless social workers are
assigned to handle a particular case or to assist (including
supervising) other colleagues to handle that particular
case, social workers have no right of access to that
client¡¦s case file.
7.2 Sharing of information with
other colleagues should be purposeful, for example, to
solicit advice and support from colleagues about a case. In
conferences within an agency, information sharing should be
purposeful and relevant to professional exchange.
7.3 When it is necessary for other
non-professional colleagues (e.g. typist) to have access to
confidential information, social workers should take
reasonable steps to keep them informed of the need of
confidentiality of the information they may acquire. If
social workers view that this principle is not complied
with, they should take appropriate action to prevent
recurrence of such an event. Social workers should be alert
and, if and when necessary, remind colleagues to avoid
disclosing confidential information.
7.4 In circumstances where there is
sufficient ground that there is a real, imminent, and
serious threat to the safety or interests of clients or of
others who may be affected by clients¡¦ behavior, social
workers should take necessary steps to inform appropriate
third parties even without the prior consent of clients. If
in doubt, it would be prudent to seek advice from relevant
parties, for example, experienced colleagues and
professional associations. Whether social workers should
alert clients about going beyond the limits of
confidentiality depends on the judgment of any reasonable
person on whether the threat may exacerbate.
7.5 Seeking information from other
people who know clients may reveal that clients are
currently receiving service from social workers. Unless
there is sufficient evidence that the serious concern
involves the safety or interests of clients, social workers
should obtain the informed consent of clients before making
such contacts.
7.6 Clients have the right to know
about the information that is related to them and stored in
their own case files. They also have the right of access to
the information provided by them or the information
consequential to the information they have provided, for
example, opinions of social workers, diagnosis, treatment
plan and so forth. Information obtained from other sources,
or the information consequential thereto, should also be
accessible by clients and consent of clients has to be
sought before the relevant contacts are made, unless clients
have given up such a right prior to social workers¡¦ action
to obtain such information. The access of clients to such
information may only be limited in the circumstances where
there is sufficient evidence that the safety or interests of
clients or concerned persons will be jeopardized. If the
guardians of clients wish to obtain information on clients,
they must first seek the consent of clients. At the same
time, social workers must make a judgment as to whether or
not clients are capable of making an appropriate decision
and whether or not the decision so made is in the interests
of clients.
7.7 In any circumstances, social
workers should not continue to keep under personal
possession files or information on ex-clients on any records
in any form of storage.
8 In disclosing case materials,
social workers should make necessary and responsible efforts
to remove all identifying information and to seek consent,
as far as possible, from the client and the relevant agency.
Guidelines
8.1 All identifiable information of
clients (e.g. name, address, name of school or work place
etc.) should not be provided in any form of communication
except for transferring cases or case referrals.
8.2 Informed consent has to be
obtained from clients and the employing agency for the
release of clients¡¦ information. If social workers are of
the view that clients are not capable of making an
appropriate decision, informed consent from clients¡¦
guardians should be obtained. Social workers should make
reasonable efforts to remove any information contained in
the case material that may reveal the identity of clients to
someone who is casually related to clients (for example,
neighbours, workmates, school teachers, etc.). If personal
information of clients is to be disclosed, social workers
should obtain clients¡¦ prior consent and assess whether
clients are able to estimate the consequences of the
decision so made.
9 Social workers should take
precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of
information transmitted to other parties through the use of
electronic media. Disclosure of identifying information
should be avoided whenever possible.
10 Social workers should inform
clients of the limitation and risks associated with such
services provided via electronic media.
11 Social workers should not
discuss confidential information in any setting unless
privacy can be ensured.
Guidelines
11.1 Social workers should not
discuss confidential information in public areas.
11.2 Social workers have a duty to
warn their clients of the risks and possible consequences if
clients ignore their advice and discuss the cases in public.
12 Social workers should protect
the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to
the extent permitted by law.
Guidelines
12.1 Should social workers receive a
request from the police to provide personal information
about their clients, social workers should first seek the
consent of clients. When necessary, social workers should
make a professional judgment as to whether or not the
provision of the information would jeopardise the personal
safety or interests of clients or other people. If the
police hold a search warrant, social workers should
cooperate with the police and provide information that is
basic and necessary, or, if and as necessary, seek prompt
legal advice, for example, on whether to file an application
for setting aside the warrant without unlawfully obstructing
its execution.
12.2 When a court of law or a legally
authorized body orders a social worker to disclose
confidential or privileged information without the client¡¦s
consent and such disclosure may cause harm to the client,
the social worker should request the court to withdraw the
order, to limit the order as narrowly as possible, or to
maintain the records under seal and unavailable for public
inspection.
Conflicts
of Interest
13
Social
workers should not abuse the worker-client relationship in
pursuit of personal interests.
Guidelines
13.1 Social workers should terminate
service to and professional relationships with clients when
such service and relationships are no longer required or no
longer serve clients¡¦ needs or interests.
13.2 Social workers should not
exploit professional relationships with clients for monetary
gain.
13.3 Social workers should not use
the professional relationship to pursue political interests.
13.3.1 Social workers should not
influence clients to vote for them or for a particular
candidate/political party of their own political
affiliation.
13.3.2 Social workers should take
steps to ensure as far as possible that their employing
agency adopts non-discriminative policies and procedures in
accepting sponsorship, services or assistance from
politicians or political parties.
13.3.3 Social workers should not use
their relationship with clients to enlist their help as
volunteers in political election campaigns for them or for
their own political affiliation.
13.4 To protect clients¡¦ benefit,
social workers should consider withdrawing from the
situation and arrange alternative services if there is
conflict of interests.
13.4.1 Social workers should make
arrangements to transfer clients to another worker when they
find there are signs of transference and
counter-transference, which are likely to hinder the
delivery of the service or damage the working relationship.
13.4.2 Social workers should avoid as
far as possible to provide service to people that have prior
or existing intimate, familial, personal, business or
political relationship with them.
Sexual
Relationship
14
Social workers should under no circumstances be engaged in
any sexual activities or sexual contacts with clients,
whether such activities or contacts are consensual or
forced.
Guidelines
14.1 Social workers should not have
sexual intercourse with their clients.
14.2 Social workers should not caress
or stimulate the sexual organs of their clients by any
means.
14.3 In cases where social workers,
in discharging their professional duties, need to inspect
the private parts of their clients, the presence of a third
party should be arranged by the concerned agency.
15 Social workers should not
provide clinical services to individuals with whom they have
had a prior sexual relationship.
Continuation of Service
16
If and
when a fee for service is required, social workers should
ensure that clients would not be denied timely services they
need because of financial constraints.
Guidelines
16.1
Social
workers should take steps as far as possible to ensure that
their employing agency establishes an alternative funding or
waiving policy and has the policy and procedure in place for
reviewing the charge for any service that is beyond the
reasonable means of the target clients.
16.2
In cases where individual clients have difficulties to pay,
social workers should assess the cases concerned and as far
as possible seek approval of their employing agency to waive
the service charge or explore alternative funding for
clients as appropriate.
16.3
For those clients who indicate their inability to pay,
social workers should assess the urgency of clients¡¦ need
for service. If there is an urgent need for the service,
social workers should attend to clients and provide the
service as far as possible. If there is no urgent need for
the service, social workers should provide information on
appropriate services and relevant resources or make
necessary referrals.
Billing
Practice
17
Social workers should establish
and maintain billing practices that accurately reflect the
nature and extent of services provided. Those being engaged
in private or independent practice should also enable such
billing practices to identify who has provided the service
in the practice setting.
18 Social workers should clearly
inform clients of all fee rates and charges before services
are delivered.
Related to Colleagues
Respect
19
Social workers should pay due
respect to different opinions and practices of other social
workers, other professionals and volunteers. Any suggestion
or criticism should be expressed and conflicts resolved in a
responsible manner.
Guidelines
19.1 In case where there are
differences in opinions between social workers and other
social workers, professionals or volunteers in dealing with
specific practice related to clients, social workers should
take steps to share their views and attempt to resolve the
conflict with the individuals, organizations, and other
relevant parties concerned before expressing criticisms in
public.
19.2
Social workers should avoid as far as possible criticizing
other social workers, professionals and volunteers in front
of clients. They may
express different opinions, but not criticizing the
opinions, practices and personal character of other social
workers, professionals and volunteers who are serving the
same clients.
19.3
Personal attack, which may include but is not limited to the
use of vulgar language and insulting remarks directed
towards an individual¡¦s personality and integrity, should
not be made against other social workers, professionals and
volunteers. Criticism should be based on actual event and
action.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
20 Social workers should discharge
duties and treat co-workers, irrespective of which
organizations they are from, in a fair and professional
manner.
21
Social workers should collaborate as far as possible with
other social workers and colleagues from other disciplines
to enhance service effectiveness.
Guidelines
21.1 Social workers should readily
share knowledge, skills, and experience with other social
workers with the objective of enhancing professional
interests, concerns, and service effectiveness.
21.2 When dealing with the same
clients, social workers should, where appropriate, share
relevant information and coordinate plans and actions with
other social workers (whether or not of the same agency) to
serve the needs and interests of clients.
22
Social workers who are members of
an interdisciplinary team should participate in and
contribute to decisions that affect the well-being of
clients by drawing on the perspectives, values, and
experiences of the social work profession. They should
induce and help the interdisciplinary team as far as
possible to clearly define the professional and ethical
obligations of the team as a whole and of individual
team-members.
23 Social workers on whom a team
decision raises ethical concerns should attempt to resolve
the disagreement through appropriate channels. If the
disagreement cannot be resolved, social workers should
pursue other appropriate avenues to address their concerns
consistent with clients¡¦ well-being.
Supervision and Training
24 Social workers, who provide
supervision or professional consultation, should possess and
maintain necessary knowledge, skills and methodology through
appropriate education, training, consultation and research
to facilitate them to perform the tasks in professional
supervision and training competently. Social workers should
provide training or instructions only within their areas of
knowledge or competence.
25 Social workers who provide
supervision should recognise a supervisor¡¦s educational,
supportive, developmental and work-focused role and should
not abuse the professional relationship with supervisees for
any interests.
26 Social workers who provide
supervision should monitor their supervisees to act in
accordance with this Code of Practice.
Consultation
27 Social workers should seek the
advice and counsel from colleagues whenever such
consultation is in the best interests of clients.
28 Social workers should seek
consultation only from colleagues who have demonstrated
knowledge, expertise, and competence related to the subject
of the consultation.
29 Social workers, for the purpose
of consulting with colleagues about clients, should provide
information on clients on a need-to-know basis.
Clients¡¦
Right of Choice
30
Social workers respect clients¡¦
right of choice. With due respect to other agencies and
colleagues, they should not solicit clients of other social
workers.
Guidelines
30.1 Social workers should not
solicit clients of other social workers by persuading
clients to leave the service being rendered by other social
workers. If social workers believe, in good faith, that the
said service will lead to disadvantage or disservice to the
client, workers should express concern according to the
guidelines set forth under clause 21 of the section of
¡§Related to Colleagues¡¨.
Communications between Co-workers
31 Without the explicit permission
of the author of the communications between co-workers,
social workers should not convey to clients any contents of
such communications that are beyond the scope of clients¡¦
personal particulars.
Sexual Relationship
32 Social workers who function as
supervisors or educators should not be engaged in any sexual
activities or sexual contacts with supervisees, students or
trainees over whom social workers exercises professional
authority.
Related to Agency
33 Social workers should be
responsible to the employing agency for the efficient and
effective performance of professional duties.
Guidelines
33.1 Social workers should draw to
the attention of the employing agency when they view that
the policies, rules and regulations of the agency are
undermining the efficiency and effectiveness of the service,
or jeopardizing the interest of clients.
34 Social workers should act
constructively and responsibly to influence and to improve
policies, procedures, and practice of their employing
agencies in order to continuously improve the quality of
service and to prevent social workers from violating this
Code of Practice when enforcing agency policies.
Guidelines
34.1 Social workers should give
constructive comments, feedback and suggestions to their
employing agencies to uphold social work values and clients¡¦
rights.
34.2 Social workers should alert
their employing agencies of any possible violation of the
professional code of practice and related legislation.
34.3 If inappropriate practices by
the employing agencies still persist and the interests of
clients are put at risk despite social workers¡¦ efforts to
give feedback to the agencies, social workers should bring
the matters to the attention of an appropriate body (such as
the Social Workers Registration Board).
35 Social workers should make
clear in any public statements or when undertaking public
activities whether they are acting in a personal capacity or
on behalf of a group or an organization.
Guidelines
35.1 In expressing personal views or
undertaking action in personal capacity, social workers
should avoid using any identity or documentation associated
with the employing agency and affiliated group unless
consent from the said party has been obtained.
36 Social workers should not use
institutional affiliation to recruit clients for private
practice without the consent of the institution.
Related to Profession
Professional Responsibilities
37 Social workers should maintain
honesty, integrity and responsibility in professional
practice.
Guidelines
37.1 When
performing their duties, social workers should be free from
the influence of drugs and alcohol.
37.2 Social workers should inform
concerned parties of all necessary details of the situation
without withholding important information, falsifying or
selectively presenting information to purposely deceive or
mislead the parties concerned to make uninformed decisions.
37.3 In case of conflict of interests
or conflict of roles, social workers should withdraw from
the professional relationship or remove the source of
conflict before continuing their professional engagement.
37.4 In cases where there are
differences in opinions within a professional context,
social workers should focus the debate, if any, on the facts
and views on the issue concerned.
38 Social workers should uphold
the values and ethics, and advance the knowledge of the
profession.
Guidelines
38.1 Social workers should
consciously and critically examine the value base and
ethical standard of their practice to see whether such base
and standard are consistent with those of the profession.
In such examination, social workers should identify and
attempt to overcome any personal or organizational barriers
and explore ways to bring about the realization of social
work values and ethics.
38.2 Social workers should as far as
possible contribute to the generation of knowledge from
their practice experience through professional exchanges.
39
Social workers should bring to the attention of appropriate
bodies any violation of this Code of Practice that may put
the interests
of clients at risk, and should be ready to defend other
social workers against unjust accusations.
Guidelines
39.1 Social workers should not
knowingly withhold information concerning malpractice by
other social workers when called upon to give information at
any inquiry on malpractice. Social workers should report
only those facts that are known to them personally.
39.2 Social workers should as far as
possible report facts known to them when being called upon
to give information in defence of other social workers
against unjust accusations.
39.3 Social workers should bring the
malpractice by other social workers to the attention of
appropriate bodies such as Social Workers Registration
Board, or the relevant agencies which are in a position to
stop such malpractice.
Competence
40 Social workers should provide
services and represent themselves as competent only within
the boundaries of their education, training, license,
certification, professional consultation, supervised
experience, or other relevant professional experience.
41 Social workers should provide
services in substantive areas or use intervention techniques
or approaches that are new to them only after being engaged
in appropriate studies, training, professional consultation,
and supervision by people who are competent in those
interventions or techniques.
42 When generally recognised
standards do not exist with respect to an emerging area of
practice, social workers should exercise careful judgment
and take responsible steps, including appropriate education,
research, training, professional consultation, and
supervision, to ensure the competence in their work and to
protect clients from harm.
Respect
43 In criticizing the profession,
social workers should do so in a responsible and
constructive manner.
Guidelines
43.1 Social workers should refrain
from criticizing the profession without solid ground.
43.2 Social workers should perceive
making constructive suggestions and ideas as part of their
professional obligation.
Representation
44 Social workers should make no
misrepresentation or false claim as to personal particulars,
professional qualifications, credentials, education,
competence, nature of service, and method of service or
results to be achieved.
Guidelines
44.1 Social workers should give
accurate information of their personal particulars and
professional qualifications. Professional qualifications in
this context refer to those conferred by academic
institutions and professional bodies. Social workers should
also readily provide documentary evidence of being
registered if required.
44.2 When promoting the service,
social workers should refrain from claiming results which
have not been properly researched.
44.3 Social workers should explain
clearly and accurately the nature of service and method of
service provided.
Independent Practice
45 Social workers who are engaged
in private or independent practice should practise only
within their areas of competence and offer suitable
referrals when clients¡¦ needs go beyond their areas of
competence. Any publicity on their practice should be made
based on the actual qualifications, experience and
expertise.
Professional Development
46 Social workers should accept
responsibility for upgrading their professional skills and
knowledge.
Guidelines
46.1 Social workers are recommended
to attend professional enhancement activities of not less
than 20 hours a year aiming at upgrading their professional
skills and knowledge. Professional enhancement activities
may include training courses/ programmes, talks,
conferences, seminars, forums, workshops and other related
activities.
47 Social workers should take
responsibility to help those who are entering the profession
to establish, strengthen and develop their ethics, values,
skills and knowledge.
Guidelines
47.1 Social workers should as far as
possible be ready to give information and advice in response
to the enquiries of their new colleagues.
Call to Duty
48 Social workers should respond
to calls to duty(3)
when an explicit request is made and when a call is made
specifically for social workers on the spot to render
certain service under specific circumstances.
Guidelines
48.1 When social workers are called
to duty, they should render assistance subject to their
professional competence, and the stipulations of the Code of
Practice for Registered Social Workers and the Guidelines on
Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers.
Related to Society
49 Social workers recognise the
need to bring to the attention of policy makers or the
general public any policies, procedures or activities of
governments, societies or agencies which create, contribute
to, or militate against the relief of hardship and
suffering.
Guidelines
49.1 Social workers should as far as
possible refrain from hindering the dissemination of such
information to the attention of policy makers or the general
public.
50 Social workers recognise the
need to advocate changes in the formulation of policies and
legislation to improve social conditions, to promote social
justice and general welfare of the society. Social workers
also recognise the need to contribute to the implementation
of policies for human welfare and should not allow one¡¦s
knowledge, skills or experience to be used to further unjust
policies or inhuman practices.
51 Social workers recognise the
need to prevent and eliminate discrimination, and the need
to strive for a more reasonable distribution of resources
and to ensure that all persons should have equal opportunity
to access to the necessary resources and services.
52 Social workers recognise the
need to promote conditions that encourage respect for
diversity of cultures in the society.
53 Social workers recognise the
need to encourage informed participation by the public in
formulating and developing social policies and institutions.
__________________________________________________
Notes
(1) ¡§Clients¡¨ refers to direct
service recipients currently receiving individual, group
services or programme activities provided by social workers.
(2) ¡§Interest of clients¡¨ ¡V Social
workers should make professional judgment after considering
and striking a balance among the interests of clients and
other related bodies (including family members, agency,
community and society, etc.).
(3) ¡§Call to duty¡¨ in this context
is not applicable to calls made through mass media to social
workers at large.
(Remark: Chinese version prevails over
English version if there is any discrepancy.)
First issued on 7 December 2000
Amended on 15 January 2010
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