NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review

Ethics

Professional ethics are the core of social work. The NASW Code of Ethics offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision-making and everyday professional conduct of social workers. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students regardless of their specific functions or settings. The Code was last revised in 1999 and is currently used by most social work licensing boards.

What we do:

We work with:

  • National Ethics Committee (NEC)
  • Chapter Ethics Committee
  • National Executive Committee
  • Complainants and Respondents
  • Members and consumers

Key words that may help clarify where to get more information:

Copy of Code of Ethics (current)

www.socialworkers.org

Copy of older Code of Ethics

Library - 428

How to file a complaint against an NASW member

Professional Review Process

Ethics Seminars and Workshops

Provided by staff upon Request and Availability

Ethical questions/dilemmas

Provided for current NASW members only:

Tuesdays:
10:00AM - 1 :00PM ext. 231

Thursdays:
1:00PM - 4:00PM

Social work license

ASWB 800/ 225-6880

NASW Certificates or Credentials

Ext. 447

Liability, afraid they'll lose license

If they have insurance through NASW, call 1-866-591-8267

If they don't have insurance through NASW, it's best to call their licensure board or an attorney

Professional Review, peer review

Ethics and Professional Review staff - 256, 231

Sanctions

Sanctions In Force List

Questions Regarding Professional Review

Ethics and professional review staff often take these calls, as the caller may ultimately wish to file a Request for Professional Review

What people often hope or think we do, but we don't (and what can be done)

Email ethics consultation

The Office does not provide ethics consultation via email.

Legal consultation

Refer to library for Law notes, to schedule consultation Ext. 290

Take complaints against non-member social workers (because they have "LCSW" or "MSW", etc. after their names).

We look up to see if the person against whom the caller wishes to complain is a member of NASW, before we provide any information about professional review. More often than not, a caller thinks being licensed is the same as being an NASW member. We explain that NASW is a voluntary membership organization that social workers don't have to join to practice social work. We refer to the specific state's licensure board, or to ASWB.

Requests for multiple copies of the Code of Ethics (even chapters)

Refer to publications - 800 227 3590

Ethics consultation for non-member social workers

Join NASW.

Verify member "good standing"

We can check to see if the member is on the Sanctions in Force list. If the member is on the list, read the original text, or send it to an inquirer.


http://www.socialworkers.org/nasw/ethics/default.asp
4/8/2013
National Association of Social Workers, 750 First Street, NE • Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241.
© 2013 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved.
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