Core standards provide consistency
and guidance to the social work profession and are used as a guide in
the development of specialty standards.
These standards focus on the core practice for social work,
regardless of the specific setting. The NASW Code
of Ethics serves as a foundation upon which all standards are
promulgated.
Standards relevant to specific
fields of practice should be utilized by social workers and their
employers. Examples of
specialty standards include, but are not limited to:
- NASW Standards for Continuing
Professional Education
- NASW Standards for the Practice of
Clinical Social Work
- NASW Standards for the Practice of
Social Work with Adolescents
- NASW Standards of Practice for
Social Work Mediators
- NASW Standards for School Social
Work Services
- NASW Standards for Social Work Case
Management
- NASW Standards for Social Work
Personnel Practices
- NASW Standards for Social Work
Practice in Child Protection
- NASW Standards for Social Work
Services in Long-Term Care Facilities
STANDARD
I.
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
The social worker
shall be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with the guidelines of
the NASW Code of Ethics. Standards statements should
provide specific guidelines in such areas as:
·
Primacy of Client Interests and Self-Determination
·
Confidentiality and Right to Privacy
·
Conflict of Interest
·
Cultural Competencies
·
Non-discrimination
STANDARD II.
QUALIFICATIONS
Prior to engaging in social work
practice, the social worker shall obtain the appropriate educational
qualifications from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education. Appropriate
licensure and/or certification should be obtained from the state in
which the worker practices. Social
work degrees are:
·
The baccalaureate degree in social work
·
The masters' degree in social work
·
The doctoral degree in social work
Additional experience and
credentials for specialized practice/settings are recommended when
appropriate.
STANDARD III.
ASSESSMENT
The social worker shall conduct an
assessment with all clients. An
assessment determines the nature and cause of a problem, the
personalities and the circumstances involved. It should be objective and
factual. The assessment
may vary, depending on client needs.
The major components of an assessment include, but are not
limited to:
·
Identifying demographic information
·
Identification and development of the presenting problem and
relevant data
·
Client's current level of functioning, strengths, risk factors,
and the impact of the environment
·
A plan that includes goals and method of intervention
The social worker may conduct a
more comprehensive assessment as indicated by client need, presenting
problem, level of functioning, and relevant systems issues. Data gathered for such
assessment may be provided by the client, family, guardian and other
relevant professionals.
STANDARD IV.
INTERVENTION
The social worker shall have
specialized knowledge of individuals, families, groups and systems. Interventions can include work
on behalf of an individual client, families and communities. This knowledge should include:
·
Physical and behavioral
health problems and their impact on the client
·
Community resources and how to use them on behalf of and by the
client
·
Environmental and social-cultural influences and their effect
on the client
STANDARD V.
RECORD KEEPING
The social worker shall maintain
confidential records that reflect the needs, services and ongoing
activities provided to the client.
These records should include:
·
Identifying information
·
Relevant, identifying historical and demographic information
·
Dates of client contacts
·
Initial assessment and reassessments
·
Social work plan and goals
·
Outcomes
·
Referrals and collaborations
·
Reason for case closing
·
Written permission to release and obtain information, where
appropriate
STANDARD VI.
WORKLOAD
The social worker shall maintain a
workload that allows for adequate and appropriate interventions, and
monitoring of services and outcomes.
·
Workload varies by setting, case complexity, geographical
distance, and work hours
·
Evaluative data should be used to determine workload
·
It is the social worker's responsibility to document how
professional performance and services are compromised if the workload
is inappropriate
·
It is the joint responsibility of the agency and the social
worker to resolve issues of workload concerns
STANDARD VII.
SUPERVISION
The social worker shall engage in
supervision to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills.
·
Social workers should supervise social work functions
·
Supervision is essential during the first two years of social
work practice after graduation
·
Consultation should be used as needed to increase professional
proficiency and competency
STANDARD VIII.
PRACTICE MEASURES AND IMPROVEMENT
The social worker shall maintain an
ongoing, formal evaluation of her/his practice to assess quality and
appropriateness of services, improve practice, and ensure competency. Practice measures and evaluation include, but are not
limited to:
·
Use of appropriate tools such as clinical indicators and
consumer satisfaction measures
·
Evaluation of both key variables and operations related to
process and outcome
·
Making evaluative data available to clients, payors, and other
professionals upon request
STANDARD IX.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The social workers shall
participate in ongoing professional education. The worker should:
·
Conform to state licensure laws regarding continuing education
·
Follow NASW Standards for
Continuing Professional Education
STANDARD X.
INTERPROFESSIONAL AND INTERAGENCY PRACTICE
The social worker shall treat
colleagues with courtesy and respect, and strive to enhance
inter-professional and interagency cooperation on behalf of the
client. In
inter-professional practice settings, the social worker should:
·
Communicate, cooperate and collaborate with professionals from
different disciplines and agencies
·
Ensure that social work functions and duties are clearly
delineated and communicated to other members of interdisciplinary
teams
·
Educate other professionals about the knowledge, skills and
values of the social work profession
Adopted by the Professional
Development & Advocacy Committee April, 2000