bcasw code of ethics

from http://www.bcasw.org/about-bcasw/casw-code-of-ethics/

Ethical behaviour is at the core of every profession. The BCASW Code of Ethics was jointly adopted by the BC Association of Social Workers and the BC College of Social Workers in January 2003 and consists of eleven principles:

1. A social worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary professional obligation.

2. A social worker shall respect the intrinsic worth of the persons she or he serves in her or his professional relationships with them.

3. A social worker shall carry out her or his professional duties and obligations with integrity and objectivity.

4. A social worker shall have and maintain competence in the provision of a social work service to a client.

5. A social worker shall not exploit the relationship with a client for personal benefit, gain or gratification.

6. A social worker shall protect the confidentiality of all professionally acquired information. She or he shall disclose such information only when required or allowed by law to do so, or when clients have consented to disclosure.

7. A social worker who engages in another profession, occupation, affiliation or calling shall not allow these outside interests to affect the social work relationship with the client, professional judgment, independence and/or competence.

8. A social worker shall not provide social work services or otherwise behave in a manner that discredits the profession of social work or diminishes the public’s trust in the profession.

9. A social worker shall promote service, program and agency practices and policies that are consistent with this Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice of the BC College of Social Workers.

10. A social worker shall promote excellence in her or his profession.

11. A social worker shall advocate change in the best interest of the client, and for the overall benefit of society.