Ethical Standard of the Month: 3.01 Supervision and Consultation

Overview

The third section of the NASW Code of Ethics addresses social workers’ ethical responsibilities in specific professional settings and practice roles. Changes to standard 3.01, Supervision and Consultation, reference the use of technology and providing these services remotely.

Highlights

Standard 3.01(a) now specifically addresses remote supervision and/or consultation. With the onset of remote work environments, the revision to Supervision and Consultation now expressly states that social workers should possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform in either role regardless of whether the service is provided in-person or remotely.

Changes to 3.01(b) reiterate that social workers should not engage in dual relationships with specific reference to those that arise from connecting with supervisees on social networking sites or other electronic media.