NLCSW continues to lead the way in the development of practice resources. During the 2022 registration year, the following resources were released:
- Practice Matters May 2022 Edition: The Ethics of Client Confidentiality: The May edition of Practice Matters addresses the ethics of client confidentiality, highlights practice considerations, and explores how the value of client confidentiality intersects with other core values and standards.
- Documentation Matters Tip #11: What is the link between assessments and documentation?: As part of reflecting on assessment and documentation practices, the June 2022 edition presents a list of helpful questions to consider.
- Ethical Compass Issue #17: Balancing Personal Interests in Professional Practice: Consider the following practice dilemmas - You are looking to buy a car, and a client is selling one in your price range; You are fundraising for a charity and a client wants to donate. The June 2022 edition of the Ethical Compass delves into areas for social workers to consider when professional and personal interests intersect.
- Ethical Compass Issue #18: Preventing Ethical Drift in Social Work Practice: "The concept of ethical drift is explored in professional literature and refers to an erosion of ethical behaviour that may go unnoticed by the professional and justified as acceptable, all the while believing the ethical standard is maintained ' - The September edition of the Ethical Compass explores strategies to prevent ethical drift and maintain ethical practice.
- Documentation Matters Tip #12: Client Access to Records - What are some ethical considerations?: When responding to a client's request to access their social work record, there are important questions to consider. These questions are outlined in the September edition of Documentation Matters.
- Health and Social Policy Advocacy Guideline Document for Social Workers: This document highlights how social workers can contribute to the development and enhancement of health and social policy through professional advocacy, emphasizes the importance of the social determinants of health, and explores some of the ethical considerations. Examples of how to become involved in health and social policy advocacy is also included.
- Practice Matters October 2022 Edition: Regulatory Trends - Integrity in Professional Practice: Maintaining integrity in social work practice is the focus of the October edition. Four case scenarios are presented which help bring this important topic to life.
- Ethical Compass Issue #19: Is this something I need to report?: The November edition of the Ethical Compass explores duty to report and highlights important areas for consideration. This includes reviewing one’s professional obligations as detailed in the CASW (2005) Code of Ethics, Guidelines for Ethical Practice, and NLCSW's (2020) Standards of Practice. NLCSW's Ethical Decision Making in Social Work Practice is also emphasized as an additional resource for social workers to use as they navigate ethical complexities in practice.
- Documentation Matters Tip #13: I work in frontline service delivery. What should I include in my social work documentation?: The latest edition of Documentation Matters explores this important question, detailing the minimum requirements for client records.
- Practice Matters January 2023 Edition: Professional Identity and Ethical Practice: The January 2023 edition of Practice Matters explores the link between one's professional identity and ethical practice and examines how this furthers credibility and public confidence in the social work profession.
- Ethical Compass February 2023 Edition Social Justice in the Public Domain: “A social worker concerned about the rising cost of living contemplates calling into a local radio show to air frustrations on how this impacts clients” – This is one of the practice scenarios highlighted in the latest edition as the topic of social justice in the public domain is explored from an ethical lens.
- Documentation Matters Tip #14 Can I use a client’s preferred name in the social work record?: While the use of the client’s legal name is recommended, there may be times when clients request to have their preferred name used in their record. The latest edition of Documentation Matters explores this scenario and outlines important considerations for social workers.