Boundaries and Ethics Webinar

A Salvation Army Social Services Webinar November 20, 2014

Dr. Jim Winship

Focus of the Webinar

• Dual relationships

• Boundaries between workers and clients

• Impact of social media and newer communication technologies

• Looking at situations/issues

Dual and Multiple Relationships: National Association of Social Workers

Dual or multiple relationships occur when professionals assume two or more roles at the same time or sequentially with a client, such as:

• assuming more than one professional role

OR

• blending of professional and nonprofessional relationships.

Reality of dual relationships

In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, social workers should take steps to protect clients and are responsible for setting clear, appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries.

NASW Code of Ethics(1.06)

Boundary Crossings

• A boundary crossing occurs when a worker is involved in a dual relationship with a client or colleague that is not intentionally exploitive, manipulative, deceptive, or coercive.

• Are not inherently unethical, such as when a worker shares personal information to help clients work through their own issues.

Boundary Violations

A conflict of interest that harms clients or colleagues

• Intimate relationships—physical sexual contact or a sexual relationship

• Personal benefit—providing services for the worker

• Altruistic– giving gifts or services not available to other clients

• Purposefully socializing with clients

Gray areas

• Social and community events

• Mutual acquaintances

• Other unavoidable situations—including running into clients in pubic spaces

Clients that become attached to us or don’t “get” professional relationships

• Those that have burned their bridges, little to no support system

• Mentally challenged clients that cannot understand why workers can’t be friends

• Individuals whose cultural and family background does not make distinctions between personal /professional relationships

Sequential relationships

• “Once a client, always a client?”

• Roles change, people change—former clients get employed in social services, serve on boards, etc.

• Privacy and confidentiality comes into play in not acknowledging publicly former worker-client role

To sum up

• Dual relationships are inherent in the work of all helping professionals, regardless of work setting or client population.

• Despite certain clinical, ethical, and legal risks, some blending of roles is unavoidable, and it is not necessarily unethical or unprofessional.

• it is essential for professionals to recognize the potential for harm associated with any kind of blending of roles.

To protect clients, yourself, and TSA

• Maintain healthy boundaries from the start. • Discuss with clients both the potential risks and

benefits of dual relationships or any kind of blending of roles.

• Remain willing to talk with clients about any potential problems and conflicts that might arise.

• Seek supervision to resolve any dilemmas, when dual relationships become particularly problematic, or when the risk for harm is high.

• Document any dual relationships in clinical case notes.

Issues with Social Media and newer technologies

Different uses of Facebook

• Some non-set up Facebook pages for a fund-raising campaign or a community awareness effort

• That is different than a Facebook profile for personal purposes.

• Some clients may not understand the differences.

Facebook Photos

• Everyone can see your photos

• Be mindful about how much you want people to know about you.

One option— a Facebook page that is less “findable”

Texting

• The good news—a very efficient way to talk with clients/participants

• The downside—we associate texting with friends and family, and does the use of texting blur a line?

Scenarios

Scenarios

• At an evening event at your child’s elementary school, seated with family and friends eating snacks and drinking punch, and a client waves at you from two tables over.

• What do you do?

Scenario

• A Salvation Army employee and Salvationist wants to be involved in the Pathway of Hope program.

• What do you do?

Scenario

• You are working off and with a woman for a period of time. She has been enrolled in a CNA training program, and invites you to the graduation.

• Would you go?

Scenario

• You are working off and with a woman for a period of time. She invites you to her daughter’s quinceñera.

• Would you go?

Scenario

• You volunteer at another agency or church ministry where you help a client that you work with in your job.

• How do you interact with the client?

• How is that different than helping a client in volunteering that you had worked with three years earlier?

Scenario

• You have worked in the past with an individual with a work history of sexual misconduct.

• You learn that he is applying to be a foster parent.

• Can you warn foster care agencies?

Conclusion

• Understand the difference between boundary crossings and boundary violations

• Remember that the concept of “professional boundary” may not be understood by some clients

• Ask for help or clarification in the “gray areas”

• Realize that social media and new technologies present boundary/ethics issues