Social Work

Practice Guidelines

Law, rules and regulations, not Guidelines, specify the requirements for practice and violating them constitutes professional misconduct. Not adhering to this Guideline may be interpreted as professional misconduct only if the conduct also violates pertinent law, rules and regulations, some citations of which are listed at the end of this Guideline.

2. Maintaining Confidentiality

2.1

Clearly advise clients at the outset of service, preferably in writing, of the nature of the confidentiality privilege and of the relevant exclusions, such as reporting suspicion of neglect or abuse of children, or reporting probable danger to self or others.

2.2

Clarify with clients how confidential information will be managed within a professional agency or organization, within supervisory or consultative relationships, and with colleagues who may provide coverage in your absence.

2.3

When seeing legally dependent clients (e.g., minors) or more than one client together (e.g., family or group services), clarify the ways in which individual confidences will be managed.

2.4

Before sharing personally identifiable facts, data, or similar information with others (e.g., family members, third party payers, other agencies), secure the informed consent of the client, preferably in writing, except as otherwise authorized or required by law.