Code ofProfessional
EthicsCollege ofSocial Work Professionalsof Puerto rico
2017
Publication of College of Social Work Professionalsof Puerto Rico

Code ofProfessional Ethics
College of Social Work
Professionals of Puerto Rico

Code of Professional Ethics
approved at Extraordinary Assemblyon August 27, 2016

©CopyrightCollege of Social Work Professionalsof Puerto Rico
Printed by Centro Copias Equs
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2017

Code of Professional Ethics

CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................................................ 4
Philosophy of The Code of Professional Ethics...................................... 10
Philosophy and Declaration of Statements of The Ethical Codeof The College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico.................. 16
Principles That Guide The Profession Of Social Work........................... 18
Ethical Canons....................................................................................... 27
Canon 1The Social Work professional................................................................. 29
Canon 2The Social Work professional and the participants................................ 34
Canon 3The Social Work professional and confidentiality................................... 38
Canon 4The Social Work professional and his co-workers................................. 43
Canon 5The professional of the Social Work and the technologies
for the information and communication.................................................. 46
Canon 6The Social Work Professional and Supervision...................................... 53
Canon 7The Social Work professional as a Researcher...................................... 56
Bibliography........................................................................................... 59
Glossary................................................................................................. 673

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

Introduction
The social complexity we experience in our professional
activities, and the constant changes in society, affect theprovision of services, which justifies the need for a revision of
the Code of Professional Ethics in the 21st Century. Issues
such as technological advances and new ways of relatingsocially, together with the linking of this with confidentiality
and free expression, lead us to stop, analyze and determine
the professional behavior expected in the face of these newchallenges presented by society.
Ethics in our profession is more than the creation of a legal
document, or the organization of norms or obligations, so
it does not refer exclusively to the Ethical Code. Professional
ethics is the product of historical, cultural, theoretical,
ideological and philosophical foundations. Everything is framed
in a determined economic and political system, in our case acapitalist system, beginning in its monopoly phase and now in
the financial one, with neoliberal policies. However, the Code isa guiding document that outlines the guidelines of the actions
and behavior of professionals.
This document “prescribes norms, rights, duties and sanctions
determined by the profession, guiding the individual behavior of
professionals, and seeks to consolidate a particular professional

Code of Professional Ethics

project with an explicit social direction” (Barroco, 2003,
p.209). Therefore, this Code complements the direction of theprofessional project in its dimension of values and professional
behavior.
The Professional Project that we have assumed as a collective,
contains six dimensions that guide the construction of the same.
Two of the categories of these dimensions are aimed at rethinking and establishing the values of the profession and norms
for professional behavior. For this reason, the presentation of a
new Ethical Code of the College of Social Work Professionalsof Puerto Rico is an integral part of the construction of ourcollective project.
As a College, we have accepted the challenge of revising the
Ethical Code five years after being fully transformed. This newrevision process marks a historic precedent when a revisionof the enrollment, commissions and chapters of the College
and the academy was requested and, in turn, an extraordinary
Assembly was held for the final approval of the document. In
this way, we are opening spaces for responsible and respectfuldebates, which sum up the participation of the diversity of
sectors of the profession to continue guiding our professional
project pluralistic and critical.
Our first Ethical Code was presented and approved in 1982. It
was the document used by several generations of professionals
to guide their professional action. In 2011, almost 30 years
after having the document, with the collaboration of a group ofcolleagues and under the direction of former president Gloria

56College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoRivera Centeno, the 1982 Code was repealed and a new EthicalCode was created. He articulated the professional principles
and the epistemological, ontological and axiological foundationsof professional ethics. The order of ethical standards changed
accordingly.
The current revision (2017) that we present fulfills a vision that
harmonizes the assessments we make of human-beings,
social structure and human life in community (Moratalla, sf).
The document approved by the Extraordinary Assembly heldon August 27, 2016 is framed in our professional project andin the declaration of the ethical principles of the International
Federation of Social Work (IFSW). In that statement, IFSW
emphasizes the need to focus ethics on the principles ofhuman rights and dignity, social justice and the developmentof professional behavior that responds to those principles. The
Code is a more critical, and it sets new sights on the profession
and its work. In the philosophical foundations, we will find theacceptance of terms that allow us to transcend the conservative
visions of our profession, and the limitations to an emancipatory
professional practice.
The principles of the profession have undergone an importantchange and new dimensions have been added, which will lead
us to take a deeper and more critical view of the profession,
our work and the society in which we are anchored. For its
part, the ethical canons were reformulated, and new canons
were created relevant to the advances of the 21st century. In
short, the document is a great challenge for all Social Work

Code of Professional Ethics

professionals, and leads us to adopt new values and new forms
of professional behavior.
For the Code that we are presenting, which is effective asof March 1, 2017, the Board of Directors approved that thereview process should have a structure characterized by theparticipation of the professional group. This was carried out invarious phases, which are detailed in Figure 1.
From the moment we publish this revision of the Code, theprocess of divulgation and training begins. This is the work of
the Review Committee, which was composed of: Dr. Emarely
Rosa Dávila, Dr. Eneida Alvarado Rivera, Dr. Evelyza Crespo
Rivera, Dr. Ileana Carrión Maldonado, Emma Beníquez Rivera,
Hayrinés Calderón Fradera, Lic. Ángel Olivo García, Lydael Vega
Otero, Mary T. Travesier Acevedo, Rafael F. Acosta Sepúlveda
and Wanda Ramos Cortés.
Upon the publication of this document, it is necessary to train theprofessionals and students of Social Work in the changes thatthe document entails, thus fulfilling the process of divulgation.
Without a clear vision of our ethics it is impossible to base our
professional actions within the framework of our professionalboundaries. The process of making ethical decisions is part ofthe daily routine of our professional practice. Ethical problems
arise at times when there are conflicts that relate to “desirable
priorities, goals, decisions or outcomes proposed by clients,
professionals and institutions that imply different conceptions
about values or different obligations” (Ballestero-Izquierdo, ÚrizPemán, & Viscarret -Garente, 2013, p.70).

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoFigure 1. Steps for the Review of the Ethical CodeThe challenges we face as Social Work professionals, including
the precarious nature of our working conditions, the increase
in inequality and impoverishment in societies, the austerity

Code of Professional Ethics

measures that limit the provision of services, a capitalist economic
system based on the exploitation of many for the benefit of thefew, the weakening of democracies and, consequently, and thethreat to human rights that this entails; make it necessary to beclear about who we are, what we do and where we are going. A
deep and pertinent Ethical Code, which weaves our professional
actions within clearly defined philosophical foundations, is morenecessary than ever.
You are invited to read, study, train and reflect on our Code ofProfessional Ethics. Likewise, to share it with your peers, thosein other professions and people who interact with us and us in
our professional practice.
Larry Emil Alicea Rodríguez, MTS, JD
President
College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico
January 20179

10College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoPhilosophy of the Code ofProfessional Ethics
The Social Work profession becomes meaningful when it isendorsed by a Ethical Code that guides professional action.
The Ethical Code is the guiding document for Social Workprofessionals to evaluate decision-making in dealing withethical-moral dilemmas. The document outlines the directionof professional behavior, and establishes self-evaluation criteria
to judge the practice of the profession and legitimize it before
public opinion. It is framed in a set of philosophical foundations
on the human being.
Next, the axiological, ontological and epistemological dimensions
that guide the Canons of the Ethical Code of the College of Social
Work Professionals of Puerto Rico are presented. In drafting thephilosophical dimensions of the Canons of Ethics, the context inwhich the profession of Social Work in Puerto Rico was framed,
its principles and the social values that contribute to the qualityof life of society.
Axiological dimension
The axiological dimension includes the values to be consideredin professional action. Democratic and humanitarian ideals havebeen central to the development of the Social Work profession

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in Puerto Rico and other countries. This vision has guidedpractices aimed at defending the values that dignify the humanbeing in a context of solidarity between equals. The democraticand humanitarian environment of the professional action ofSocial Work is essential to promote a quality of life in accordancewith the universal rights of the human being.
The professional action of Social Work begins with the affirmationof the dignity, freedom and equal rights of human beings. It
also recognizes the existence of social, economic, politicaland cultural conditions that promote inequality, inequality andsocial injustice. For this reason, professional Social Work action
is framed in an ethical-political commitment that promotes
the defense and enforceability of human rights, strengthening
autonomy, building citizenship, active and critical participation indemocratic processes, appreciation for diversity and inclusion,
the demand for social and economic justice, and access tojustice and quality social services. These commitments willserve to address various manifestations of oppression such as
marginalization, discrimination and individual, group, institutionalor structural violence, based on class, race, gender, sex,
sexual orientation, age, family type, marital status , Religious orpolitical beliefs, skin color, nationality, ethnic group, migratory
status, functional diversity, health, physical or mental condition,
occupation, syndical of political affiliation, political ideology, andsocial or economic status.
The Social Work professional engages with people andorganizes their professional action in order to face inequality,
inequality, exploitation, discrimination and other manifestations

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoof oppression that degrade human dignity. The ethical-politicalcommitment of the professional of Social Work is valued toassume critical professional actions towards the conditions
that undermine the dignity of the human beings and theirsurroundings.
Given the context of our society, we value a professional practiceguided by the freedom, transformation and emancipationof people. This practice will work towards the satisfactionof human needs, in order to promote the integral wellbeing and full development of people and social groups. will
promote the exchange of knowledge, active participation, andproblematization of the situation that is the object of attention,
as well as the social, economic, political and cultural context
in order to promote new understandings for all the people
involved, including the professional, which contribute to personaland collective transformation. will recognize and demand the
responsibility of the State to promote and guarantee humanrights. will also promote the recognition of the construction of
citizenship in its responsibility to demand, claim, expand, andenforce them.
Ontological dimension
The ontological dimension in the Social Work profession
reflects on how the human being is conceived as a biological,
psychological, social, political, economic, historical, cultural andspiritual entity, as well as the environment in which it develops.

Code of Professional Ethics

It recognizes the people and social groups as social andhistorical subjects. This implies that from their own physical,
mental (or psychological), emotional and spiritual conditions,as well as social, political, economic and cultural conditions
in certain socio-historical contexts, people and social groups
are defined from an environment and mutual interaction withothers. Likewise, the social subjects are recognized rights andobligations, and the ability to influence their own life processes.
It is also recognized that the Social Work profession is a historicalsubject with a particular place in the social structure of theState, with functions determined by social policy and with social
legitimacy achieved in its interaction and responsibility with theoppressed and vulnerable social movements and sectors.
People are conceived as active and critical human beings,
in interpreting the conditions that violate it and that manifest
themselves in social problems and needs according to theircircumstances and contexts. It also recognizes the autonomy
of individuals and social groups in confronting social conditionsof inequality, oppression and violation of rights that affect theirlives. Therefore, the profession promotes citizen participationand in general the inhabitants of the country in decision-making
processes, and the need to organize collectively to address
the multiple dimensions of the environment context and social
structures that limit the achievement of its full development.
Likewise, the profession recognizes the value and importance ofsocial movements as protagonists in the defense, enforceability
and extension of human rights, as well as in the processesof social transformation. Therefore, it seeks active and critical

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participation in coalitions, and the creation of alliances withother social sectors related to our principles and values andcommitted to social transformation.
Epistemological dimension
The epistemological dimension deals with how the knowledge,
the knowledge and the vision and interpretation of the world
generated in the professional relationship of Social Work andparticipants arise and are conceived. This includes the way
in which the Social Worker receives, visualizes, analyzes andprocesses the information produced by all the components ofthe professional action.
The professional ethical-political commitment of Social Workimplies recognizing the active capacity of the participantsin the exchange of knowledge and knowledge for the criticalanalysis of their reality. This will help to make visible the forcesof economic, political, social and cultural dimensions that limit
the improvement and transformation of their living conditions.
The role of the Social Work professional in the generation ofknowledge is to facilitate processes of citizenship construction
and active participation, seeking access to information,
dialogue with argumentative validity, horizontal exchange ofknowledge and knowledge, valorization and problematizationof Diverse perspectives and the search of alternatives thatare generated from the recognition of the dignity of all thepeople involved and the solidarity. This process of awarenessis based on the interests, needs, knowledge, knowledge, skills
and values that the participants have about the social reality

Code of Professional Ethics

in which they are located. In addition, will make use of social
research, the processes of systematization of practice and theassessment and contribution of popular knowledge to informtheir professional action. Likewise, it undertakes to keep its
theoretical, methodological, technical and ethical knowledge
updated.
The Social Work professional has an ethical commitment tomaintain up-to-date professional training in the field of Social
Work with the purpose of sharing it with all the components
of professional action. The continuing education of the Social
Work professional is central to and necessary for informed andeffective professional action. The valid and solid knowledge
power of practice in Social Work makes sense when it is sharedwith other people. Theories in the social sciences, social researchand systematization of practice as resources to discover,generate, evaluate and promote knowledge are strengthened
in order to strengthen the theoretical, methodological, technicaland ethical practice of the profession in all its areas of domain.

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PHILOSOPHY AND DECLARATION OF
STATEMENTS OF THE ETHICAL CODE
OF THE COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONALSOF SOCIAL WORK OF PUERTO RICOThis document is intended to establish the philosophicalguidelines that should guide the Ethical Code of the Collegeof Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico and presents thestatement of statements that endorse the following 7 Canonsof Ethics:
Canon 1The Social Worker as a professional.
Canon 2The Social Work Professional and the participants
Canon 3The Social Work Professional and confidentiality
Canon 4The Social Work Professional and their co-workers.

Code of Professional Ethics

Canon 5
The Professional of the Social Work and the technologies
for the information and communication
Canon 6The Social Work Professional and Supervision.
Canon 7The Social Work Professional as a Researcher.

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PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE THE
PROFESSION OF SOCIAL WORK
The principles outlined in the Ethical Code bind each professionalof Social Work, regardless of the setting where they exercise
their professional action. Every person who has a license topractice the Social Work profession must be governed by them.
Social Work professionals have the individual and collective
responsibility to defend, demand and promote all the principles
of social justice that constitute the raison d’être of the Social
Work profession.
The Social Work professional will understand that its primaryfunction is to facilitate processes so that the participants
achieve the optimal development of their capacities and live
a satisfactory, productive, independent and socially useful life.
You will recognize that your profession is based on respect forthe dignity of the human being. In the same way, he will always
keep in mind that the steps he takes in his professional role
substantially affect the lives of others. In addition, will recognizethat all participants have the right to fair and equitable accessto and participation in services guaranteed under humanrights, regardless of their poverty, marginalization, individual,group, institutional or structural violence. Race, gender,
sexual orientation, age, family type, marital status, religious orCode of Professional Ethics

political beliefs, skin color, nationality, ethnic group, migratory
status, functional diversity, health condition, physical ormental, Occupation, trade union or partisan affiliation, political
ideology, and social or economic status. He will understand thatrighteousness should guide their actions, and will avoid eventhe appearance of improper conduct.
Principle 1
Value: DIGNITY OF PEOPLE AND PEOPLES
Ethical Principle: Social Work professionals respect the
dignity of all people and peoples.
It recognizes the intrinsic value and dignity of human beingsand peoples. This implies the recognition that human beings
are born free and are equal in rights that are inalienable to them.
Human dignity is thus the foundation of freedom, justice andpeace, and for this reason we seek to show solidarity withthe oppressed, marginalized and excluded sectors in orderto promote the construction of new socio-political structures,
which are more solidary, inclusive and just. In addition, Social
Work professionals should base their relationship on the basisof respect for ideas, beliefs and values, and to problematize
them when they involve a violation of human dignity. This
includes knowledge, skills and critical attitude to work withdiverse populations and against prejudice, stigma and social
discrimination, promoting respect, inclusion and appreciationof diversity will also facilitate the participation of oppressedgroups or social sectors in the construction of their citizenship,

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoregardless of their nationality or immigration status. In addition,
he will refrain from using the power of the profession to impose
his ideas, beliefs and prejudices.
Principle 2
Value: RELEASE AND EMANCIPATION
Ethical principle: The main goal of each Social Workprofessional is to promote the autonomy of people, theiractive and critical participation in the issues that affectthem and to participate in democratic processes andsolidarity towards justice and human emancipation.
It recognizes the autonomy of people and peoples to participate
in decisions on the issues that affect them, seeking to work
towards the eradication of all forms of exploitation, oppression,rape or discrimination, always valuing their dignity and freedom.
It includes the defense of civil and political rights, such as the rightto life, security and protection against discrimination. It validates,
among others, the right of people to freedom of thought andexpression and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Code of Professional Ethics

Principle 3
Value: SOCIAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITY
Ethical Principle: Social Work professionals recognize
the importance of their actions aimed at promoting andfighting for the achievement of social justice, humanrights and equity.
Social Work professionals will pay attention and actively
participate in denouncing any act that threatens the rightsof people and their full development and in favor of policies,
programs and services that promote integral well-being,
optimum human development, social justice and equity.
All professional activity seeks to promote sensitivity, knowledge
and capacity on the elements of oppression and diversity topromote conditions of equality and social and economic
equity with a perspective of overcoming inequalities and social
discrimination.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoPrinciple 4
Value: DEMOCRACY
Ethical principle: Social Work professionals arecommitted to social and economic democracy and theactive participation of people in these processes.
Democracy, beyond being a representative system, refers to
the processes of active participation in the public affairs of acountry, including social policy, and to the socialization of sociallyconstructed wealth. For this, it is necessary to promote an active
citizenship committed to justice, equity, human rights, general
welfare, the development of new rights and the common goodof all people living in Puerto Rico.
the Social Work professional will contribute to the deepening of
democracy through processes that strengthen the participationof individuals and social groups in political processes and thedecision making on the issues that affect them.

Code of Professional Ethics

Principle 5
Value: SERVICE AS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LAW
Ethical Principle: The main goal of each Social Workprofessional is to promote human and collective
development through the provision of services framed in
the defense, enforceability and extension of rights.
In a society with multiple manifestations of oppression, social
services are interpreted as a human right that guarantees adignified life for the people. For this reason, the Social Workprofessional are committed to guarantee quality in professional
service. will understand that the human and collective
development facilitated by the provision of the service will allow
a just society for all people. Professional services will constitutea deliberate action towards the satisfaction of human needs andthe equitable distribution of existing resources. will promote thedevelopment of personality and the transformation of personaland collective circumstances. Social and economic rights must
be the foundation of social policies and social programs andservices that guarantee them.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoPrinciple 6
Value: HUMAN RELATIONS AND SOLIDARITY
Ethical Principle: Social Work professionals recognize
the central importance of human and solidarity relations.
Social Work professionals recognize the multiple dimensionsof social relationships and their importance for socialtransformation. They will foster solidarity and the link between
people to strengthen human relations, active participation,
assertive communication, problematization of situations and theircontexts, recognition of tensions and contradictions, and thegeneration of agreements and consensus through dialogue andargumentation. This, in order to maintain, re-establish, promote
and achieve personal and collective well-being. In addition, they
will encourage the development of working relationships withother professional groups, sectors and social movements thatare related to the principles of the profession and that seek thetransformation of the current social order.

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Principle 7
Value: INTEGRITY
Ethical Principle: Social Work professionals will observe
full behavior at all times.
The professionals of Social Work will base their professional
action on the ethics, mission, values, standards and principlesof Social Work. In all situations, they will act in an honest andresponsible manner in a way that does not adversely affect the
profession. Social Work professionals will reject and denounce
corruption at all levels of society, especially with regard to
public administration and the undermining of services and therecognition of human rights.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoPrinciple 8
Value: PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Ethical Principle: Social Work professionals will update
their professional qualifications and skills.
Social Work professionals will increase their knowledge, skills
and skills continuously, in order to improve their professional
performance. They will examine with critical historical sense theemerging knowledge relevant to training and professional action.
There must also be an element of reflection to understand the
dynamic nature of transformation or reaffirmation of knowledge
itself. They will guide their specific practice in theoreticalknowledge avoiding inferences and interpretations based on
speculative and subjective arguments. This also implies thatprofessionals assume responsibility for influencing professional
and training organizations so that they in turn respond to theprinciples contained in this code and their relative interferencein the profession.

Code of Professional Ethics

ETHICAL CANONSThe exercise of the Social Work profession is governed by thepresent Ethical Code, whose rules and procedures are subject toall its members, as stipulated in the Organic Law of the Collegeof Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico of May 11, 1940,
as amended and its Regulations. The rules contained in thiscode are mandatory for the membership of the College of Social
Work Professionals. They will be applied without prejudice toother legal norms and of superior rank of the jurisdiction of the
System of Courts of Puerto Rico. Professionals in the field of
Social Work can not claim ignorance, disuse, custom or practiceto the contrary not to observe the norms stipulated in the code.
The following seven standards of ethics respond to thecommitment to ensure quality in the provision of direct andspecialized services in Social Work, in the areas of research,
vocational training, supervision, administration, evaluationand formulation Of social policies. These services are framed
within the mission of the profession, as one that seeks theachievement of social justice and the development of a full life
for every inhabitant of Puerto Rico.
Social media platforms are interactive tools? that facilitate
information, communication and mobilization between people
and groups, thus connecting millions of users in a highly

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricointerconnected and globalized world. Changes and advancesin technology, incorporated in professional action, haverequired the inclusion in this Code of a new canon, entitled: theprofessionals of Social Work and technologies for informationand communication. This canon includes a series of articles thatserve as parameters of action in what should be considered
the ethical use of platforms for information and communication,
within the professional and personal work of the Social Worker
in Puerto Rico.
These platforms include the use of computers and otherelectronic equipment such as tablets, cell phones, smartphones,
messaging or text services, audio and video technology,internet (including e-mail, search engines, web pages, chats
and others), web platforms (blogs, discussion forums, locationbased services, consumer-review sites, call services, cloudservices, applications, among others) and social media (social
networking, photo sharing sites, video sharing sites, among
others). These types of digital platforms are currently used bySocial Work professionals to provide information to the public,
to provide services to and communicate with participants,
to handle confidential information and records, to store andaccess information about the participants. Therefore, Social
Work professionals will use digital platforms to communicate
with participants, for professional purposes only.

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CANON IThe Social Work professional
Article 1
Responsibilities towards the profession.
The Social Work Professional:
a. Will protect and enhance the dignity and integrity of theprofession.
b. Keeps their license, membership and continuing education
up-to-date. This responsibility includes all practices of theprofession. It is extended, but not limited to, the practice ofteaching, consulting, supervision-administration, research,clinical practice, forensic practice, analysis and evaluationof social policies regardless of the name of the position,
which requires formal preparation in Social Work.
c. Will act to prevent the practice of the profession by people
who are not duly authorized and qualified for it, according
to the laws of Puerto Rico and this Code.
d. Distinguishes and states, when making public statementsor participating in public events, if they are performing
them in their personal capacity oras a representative of the

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoagency in which they work or as a representative of theCollege.
e. Will not discriminate on the grounds of poverty,
marginalization, structural violence, access to justiceand health services, race, color, gender, marital status,
age, ethnic origin, occupation, nationality, special needs,
religious ideology / religious practices, political ideology,
health, physical and mental condition, social and economic
status, union affiliation, sexual orientation, types of families,
circumstances or for any other reason in the provision ofservices.
f. Will exercise its professional action with dedication,commitment and qualifications seeking the welfare of its
participants.
g. Will use professional judgment to identify and refuse
orders or instructions that may conflict with the principles
contained in this code, even if these guidelines come fromtheir superiors or are part of the practices of the agency ororganization in which they provide services.
h. Will respect existing laws aimed at protecting theenvironment.

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Article 2
Professional Qualifications.
The Social Work professional:
a. Will have the responsibility to keep up with the professional
actions of the scenario or modality of action in which
services are rendered or specialized. This includes
professional qualifications, compliance with hours ofcontinuing education, as provided by current law, as wellas providing documentation in related areas that may be
useful to the population to whom you render services.
b. Demonstrate qualifications and skills in the performanceof their duties or other professional responsibilities thatthey accept. For this, they will investigate, select andobtain the knowledge and skills necessary to exercise andcontextualize their professional action.
c. Will base its professional action on empirical knowledge
and best practices relevant to Social Work and basedon its ethical principles. This responsibility includes
the assessment and qualification of the impact of theprofessional action.
d. Will contextualize the work with its participants using
the knowledge, methods, models and techniques of thefunction for professional action with them.
e. Will provide truthful information about your professional
qualifications, education, experience and professional
affiliations.

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f. Will contribute to the enrichment of the profession bydisseminating research findings, acquired knowledge
and experiences in the execution of models related to thepractice of the profession; All this, through presentations,publications or other means of information dissemination.
g. Will denounce the discriminatory practices of which it has
knowledge in the exercise of the professional action.
h. He will use cautious, cautious and critical diagnoses ofphysical and mental health.
i.

Will avoid labeling participants based on physical, mental,social and economic conditions.

j.

Will keep up to date its knowledge on the social problemsof the country, its causes, manifestations and effects on the
populations to which it offers its professional services.

Article 3
Integrity
The Social Work professional:
a. Will identify and confront possible influences and pressuresoutside its function that may interfere with the exercise ofits discretion and judgment.
b. Will only claim credit for what they have done and willrecognize contributions made by others.

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c. Will denounce the unethical and illegal conducts of othermembers of the profession through the procedures
established by this College.
d. Will act in her personal life in a way that is consistent withthe values and principles of the Ethical Code.

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CANON IIThe Social Work professional and the participants.
Article 1
The Social Work Professional:
a. Will provide the participants with correct and complete
information about the nature of the services available in
the agency or organization in which they work, as well asother programs or sources of services, so that participants
are aware of their rights, duties, opportunities and risks
associated with such services.
b. Will request to be relieved of the responsibility to attend orintervene in a specific situation, conflict of interest or for
any reason that could interfere with the best professionalcare. In cases that cannot be relieved by emergency
situations, will offer the immediate and necessary service
conducive to stabilize the situation.
c. Will terminate the action and professional relationship withthe participants when completing the service process orwhen it does not respond to the needs and best interestsof these and these. Similarly, the action and professional
relationship will terminate when the participant for any

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reason discontinues the service and cannot be contacted
by demonstrating reasonable efforts to that effect.
d. Will respect the right of participants to self-determination.
To do this, it must guide and provide the necessary
information so that they have all the elements on which
they can base their decision-making.
e. Will avoid imposing or attempting to persuade decisionmakers to use their views, principles, religious beliefs or
personal values.
f. Will prevent discriminatory or abusive practices against
participants.
g. Will denounce to the pertinent authorities any
discriminatory or abusive practices against persons,families, groups and communities although they are notparticipants of the professional.
h. Recognize the attribution of power that underlies theprofessional relationship and avoid taking advantages
based on it to exploit, intimidate, coerce or use any
improper practice against its participants and for theirpersonal, religious, political, economic or any otherinterests. Other nature.
i.

Under no circumstances will establish affective, sentimental
or sexual relationships with participants. This prohibition
extends to third persons who, because of their relationshipwith the participant, could vitiate the professional
action process and the impartiality of the Social Work35

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professional. In case of starting a relationship with a past
participant or his relative, the Social Worker must wait aminimum of two years. If a complaint arises, will assume
the full burden of proving that the participants in the past
were not exploited, forced or manipulated in any way.
j.

Will avoid dual or multiple relationships. In cases of
becoming aware of the dual or multiple relationship, oncethe professional relationship begins, will take the measures
to cease immediately the same. Will inhibit any related
matter in order to ensure continuation and provision of theservice by another professional.

k. Will avoid incurring conflicting dual or multiple roles.
l.

Will avoid professional action with participants, when it
possesses privileged information of third parties that could
conflict and influence the objectivity of its professional
action.

m. Avoid professional interventions with relatives up to thefourth degree of consanguinity and third of affinity. In thesecases, it should be recognized that their interest in thesituation is personal, providing the opportunity for anotherprofessional to intervene for the benefit of the participant.
n. Will clarify to all parties who or who will be consideredparticipants and the nature of the obligations withthem. This responsibility will be required when services
are provided to two or more participants who haverelationships between them.

Code of Professional Ethics

o. The role should immediately be stated towards theparties involved when anticipating a conflict of interest
with participants who are receiving services or whenconflicting roles are anticipated. In these cases, will takethe necessary actions to minimize any conflict.
p. Will work to ensure that participants have access to theservices and resources they need to solve their problems.
q. Reject gifts, any exchange of goods and favors fromparticipants and their relatives.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

CANON IIIThe Social Work professional and confidentiality.
Article 1
Confidentiality
The Social Work professional:
a. Will inform each person from the beginning of theprofessional relationship the limits of confidentiality
according to the laws, jurisprudence and regulations that
apply.
b. Will safeguard the right to the confidentiality that shelters
the participants. The value of confidentiality entails
respecting the content of the information provided by eachparticipant to the Social Work professional. The right toconfidentiality extends to the information of each person’srecords and private documents, including archived or
documented information through electronic equipment
under the responsibility of the Social Work professional.
c. Will require the written authorization of the participant
or its authorized representative to disclose information
to third parties; All based on existing laws related to theCode of Professional Ethics

management of the participant’s files, data subject todivulgation and confidentiality.
d. Will use the confidential information of each participant for
educational or research purposes, as long as the written
authorization of the participant for that purpose is ensured
and the protection of the data that identifies them isensured.
e. Will respect the right of the participants to maintainconfidentiality of the information they deem private.
f. Will avoid listening to private information of the participants,
unless it is indispensable for the professional action
process.
g. Will not share confidential information with any participant,or related person, in places that do not ensure privacy,
including social networks.
h. Will require the authorization of the person or its authorized
representative to obtain documents and informationconsidered private.
i.

Inform the participant of the agency’s policy regarding theright of access to records as set forth in applicable laws,
exceptions, and agency procedures, with care to protect
confidential information about third parties.

j.

Will ensure that any information requested by the person
receiving the services to be disclosed voluntarily, is madeprior written authorization of the participant or by the39College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico40

person authorized to provide consent for divulgation of
information.
k. Under no circumstances disclosing information obtained
throughout professional management with other persons,
without the consent of the participant. As an exception tothis rule, information will be disclosed only when situations
arise that put physical security at risk or violate the rightsof third parties, the Social Work professional, and theparticipant or the common good according to the laws
Applicable. It should be carefully evaluated and, if possible,
consulted with peers or supervisors, before providing
information to third parties without the consent of theparticipant.
l.

Will know the limits of confidentiality based on opinions ofgeneral and special laws, jurisprudence and institutional
regulation validated by law. The information will be provided
as required by the court, agency or organization. When
it is mandatory to discover information of a confidential
nature, the privacy of the participant will be protected andthe information required for a particular purpose will be
provided specifically.

m. The divulgation of information about participants will be
prohibited when it is required by journalists or the media.
n. The professional or Social Worker with functional diversity,in the exercise of their practice, will guide each participanton the need to use staff to assist. will request the writtenCode of Professional Ethics

authorization of the person at the beginning of theprofessional action.
o. The professional is responsible for training his assistant
about his specific duties and compliance with the Canon ofConfidentiality. Must obtain an agreement signed and duly
filed in the file.
Article 2
Records Management
The Social Work professional:
a. Will guarantee that under no circumstances the files will beaccessible to other professionals or persons who are notauthorized to have access to them.
b. Will guide each participant on the institutional policy ofaccess to the information contained in the file. will guidethe participants on the agency’s policy of access andreview of files, including the exceptions thereto. The
participant will be informed about the established laws.
c. Will guide participants in case of having professional
reservations that limit the delivery or review of the record,
including the right to appeal the determination. Will writein the file the request of the participant for these purposes
and the professional grounds on which determination todeny the delivery or revision of the social file is based.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricod. Will establish procedures to protect confidential information
offered by third parties before giving participants access tothe file.
e. May use the social files of participants for pedagogical
purposes, supervision, quality control, case discussion
and peer consultation, provided that appropriate measures
are taken to ensure the protection of data that identifies its
participants.

Code of Professional Ethics

CANON IV
The Social Work professional and his co-workers.
Article 1
The Social Work professional:
a. Is committed to the fact that the interpersonal relationships
in the work scenario will be based on the respect andconsideration of the human being, the collaboration andthe solidarity.
b. Will refrain from making judgments among third parties, incases in which the professional performance of a colleague
or another person related to the work scenario, is in conflictwith professional ethics or that is being harmed to thesubject of professional action.
c. Will communicate in writing to the College of Social Work
Professionals of Puerto Rico any action that a colleague
is doing to the detriment of another collegiate or anotherperson related to the work scenario, both in their work andprofessional performance.
d. Will prevent personal problems between colleagues oranother person related to the field of work interfere or
impair the work performance.

43College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

44

e. Will attend or carry out the relevant transfer of the filewhen he finishes his professional work, either temporarily
or definitively, so that another colleague can continue withthis process satisfactorily, to the extent that circumstances
allow.
f. Will respect the participants of another colleague. will
provide its services only at the request of the supervisor
and in the best welfare of the participants and to whomthey are rendered.
g. Will recognize the intellectual property of any colleagues
or other person related to the work scenario and will
not remove documents, plagiarize or appropriate otherpeople’s merits.
h. Will act appropriately and will not accept positions or
promotions at the expense of doing harm to the meritsof other colleagues or another person related to the work
scenario.
i.

Will keep participants out of their care of disputes withpeers and will avoid engaging them in conflict discussions
in the work setting.

j.

Will inform in case personal knowledge of the behaviorof a colleague that affects to intervene effectively due topersonal problems, psychological stress, substance use
and abuse, mental health difficulties or any incompetence.
To do this, will use the appropriate channels and remedies,Code of Professional Ethics

after dialogue and assist the colleague and propose
actions to remedy that situation.
k. Will know the policies and procedures established forthe handling of ethical issues and will take appropriate
measures to discourage, prevent and denounce theunethical conduct of his colleagues.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

CANON VThe professional of the Social Work and thetechnologies for the information and communication
Article 1
Technology:
The Social Work professional:
a. Will use a communication policy for its participants thatbriefly explains the use of technology and the types ofcommunication.
b. Will guarantee the confidentiality of the information about
the participants that is housed in electronic equipment
such as computers and cell phones. will take thenecessary security measures when it is necessary to send
the information to third parties through digital platforms,
avoiding to include content that identifies directly toparticipants.
c. Will inform the participants about the risks associatedwith sending confidential information through emails /emails, text messaging or applications and the possible
consequences or potential effects of doing so.

Code of Professional Ethics

d. Will prevent other people from accessing the information ofparticipants located on computers, tablets and cell phonesthat include information from participants.
e. Will create two high security passwords, one for access tothe computer and another for records or folders containing
the information of the services provided.
f. If at any time, the service will be provided through digitalplatforms, the Social Worker should explain the benefits
and potential risks of this practice. Those professionals
who use it must have appropriate studies, training,
consultation or supervision, that qualify them to offer
professional services online.
g. If the Social Work professional communicates withparticipants through the web platforms, he or she will avoid
sharing images or statuses in personal social media profiles
that are not consistent with this ethical code.
h. At the beginning of a professional action in which it has tobe recorded, the Social Worker or professional will ensurethat there is a protocol for such purposes.
i.

Will inform and obtain consent of the participants before
making any audio or video recordings of the sessions.
Once the recording is finished, will ensure that outsiders do
not have access to the files.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

Article 2
Internet and Web platforms
The Social Work professional:
a. The Social Work professional must take the necessary
precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentialityof the information when it is to be discussed with third
parties through digital platforms as call services or must be
shared through cloud archiving services. Authorization andconsent will be requested from the participants if service
is provided if they share information about the case foreducational purposes on the Internet and Web platforms,
eliminating any information that identifies them.
b. Will publish truthful content on the Internet and social
platforms. When publishing or sharing information, credit
must be given to the corresponding author. All information
published or shared must be written in accordance with the
Ethical Code.
c. Will write content to be published or shared on web
platforms that does not discriminate on the basis ofpoverty, marginalization, structural violence, access tojustice and health services, race, color, gender, marital
status, age, ethnic origin, occupation, nationality, special
needs, religious ideology / religious practices, political
ideology, health, physical and mental condition, socialand economic status, union affiliation, sexual orientation,family types and circumstances. Should not make attacks

Code of Professional Ethics

or threats that could harm the role as a Social Workprofessional.
d. When in the exercise of the professional action are taken
photographs or videos that will be published on the
network, authorization will be necessary through a releaseof responsibility.
e. Location tools on social networks will not be used, when
performing work or services for the purpose of protecting
the safety and privacy of service participants andthemselves. Likewise, will guide the participants of the risks
of using these tools when they are receiving services.
f. If keeping online copy of participant’s’ files, throughcloud services, must protect access with a high-security
password. The password cannot be shared with third
parties. Will not leave the account open. If not using any
documents, must log out.
g. If using applications to have a file of notes taken inparticipant sessions, must follow the same clauses quoted
in this article to ensure security and confidentiality.
h. Depending on the used digital platform, a disclaimer
will be added, stating whether they are representing theorganization or their personal opinions, such as “Theopinions found in this blog are personal and do not
represent the organization or the company for which I
work”.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

Article 3Social Media:
The Social Work professional:a. In case of being owner of a profile in social networks orother platforms, must identify if it is a professional profile,
as it should make clear the difference between personal
and professional role in such platforms. If the use of suchprofiles is for personal use, will avoid placing or sharing
information about professional practices.
b. Any content or comment published in personal social
network profiles should avoid being discriminatory becauseof poverty, marginalization, discrimination, and individual,group, institutional or structural violence based on class,race, gender, sexual orientation, age , Family type, marital
status, religious or political beliefs, skin color, nationality,
ethnic group, migratory status, functional diversity, health,physical or mental condition, occupation, union or partisan
affiliation, political ideology and social or economic status ,Among others, thus promoting respect for diversity.
c. Shall not make comments that encourage violence orthreats to others. will respect the opinions, avoiding
complaints or reproaches about the participants who are
offered services, colleagues or supervisors.
d. Will use its professional judgment not to share or comment
content published in the social networks that violates the
canons contemplated in this Code.

Code of Professional Ethics

e. Will obtain authorization through a release of responsibility
to be able to label, publish photos or videos of participants.
f. Will not discuss social networking profiles (personal,
professional or private) about disputes, or complaints
about personal performances, or about colleagues orsupervisors, thus avoiding exposure to allegations of
unprofessional behavior.
g. If a colleague behaves in an unethical manner whenusing technology, social media, web platforms or social
networks, and have witnessed that behavior, will have theresponsibility to inform.
Article 4
Electronic Equipment
The Social Work professional:a. Establish preventive procedures to ensure the confidentialityof information provided by participants or other resources
through the use of computer, facsimile, telephone,answering machine and any electronic equipment.
b. Will check the e-mail addresses before sending confidential
information to ensure it is correct. will take steps to avoid errors
in the transmission of confidential information to unauthorizedthird parties through the use of any electronic means.
c. Will guide each participant on the risks of sending information
through electronic messages, in particular the possibility

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoof being interfered with by hackers. Each participant andtheir Social Work professional must dialogue, decide andstipulate in writing what kind of private information may be
communicated via mail or electronic equipment.
d. Will require that preventive measures be taken to prevent
electronic access by outsiders.
e. The archives of electronic files or private documents ofparticipants will be protected by the use of electronic
passwords, to ensure that other unauthorized persons
use the computer and have access to the private andconfidential information that the participant shares with himor the Social Work professional.
f. Will take measures to locate the electronic equipment inplaces that prevent the visibility of the information to people
outside the case.
g. Will prevent the participant information stored on compact
discs, external data storage devices and any personal
electronic equipment from being lost or accessed by third
parties.
h. Will ensure the information contained in compact discs
and / or data storage devices, through a protocol orsecurity measures that prevent easy access to confidential
information. Some of the measures to be used may be thecreation of a password for access and / or establishmentof an encrypted file system.

Code of Professional Ethics

CANON VI
The Social Work Professional and Supervision
Article 1
The Social Work professional:
a. Will use the supervision so that the Social Workprofessionals and people under its direction strengthen
their skills in the application of theoretical knowledge in theprocesses of professional actions and research.
b. The supervisor and supervisor will protect the dignity of thestaff under their supervision. To this end, it shall not use
threats, verbal violence, derogatory language or disciplinary
measures constituting a hostile work environment, which
exceed the rules and regulations established by theorganization.
c. Under no circumstances will establish affective
relationships, or sexual intimacy with the current supervised
ones.
d. Will maintain a consistent process of supervision with theprofessionals in charge to ensure the quality of the work
they perform.

53College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico54

e. Will train the people who assist in administrative tasks on
the canon of confidentiality and use of technology and will
get a signed commitment to these effects.
f. Will use other consultation methods when understand thatneed additional information to advise the staff under theirsupervision.
g. Will offer mentoring, consulting and direct follow-up to the
team.
h. Will advise and facilitate decision making througheducational, administrative and support supervision.
i.

Will be attentive to the situations that may constitute risk ofmalpractice or professional negligence of his work team.

j.

Will be ensured that the people under its supervision havea license and current membership, if not, will refer to thenominating authority, Board of Examiners and Professional
Association of Social Work of PR.

k. Will establish administrative measures that guarantee theconfidentiality of the information of the people served.
l.

Will exercise supervision in a manner consistent with theprovisions established by the collective agreement incases in which the workers ‘relations of the agencies or
corporations are governed by the workers’ bargaining.

m. Will be alert to situations that may constitute a risk to thephysical and emotional integrity of the personnel under its
supervision.

Code of Professional Ethics

n. Will avoid, in its employer or supervisory role, thediscrimination for the reasons stated in this Code.
o. Any Social Worker who performs functions that requirepreparation in Social Work, in supervisory, administrative,
executive management, specialist, trustee, academicteaching, research, advisory, consulting, program
management or similar functions. , Will comply with therequirements of licensing, membership and continuing
education as required by law, even if the appointment or
job title is not qualified as such.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto rico

CANON VII
The Social Work professional as a Researcher
Article 1
The Social Work professional:
a. Will consider the objectives of research and contribution
to individuals or society, according to the principles ofrespect, beneficence and justice for each participant who
are part of the research.
b. Will evaluate the possible risks and benefits for eachparticipant and society, seeking balance between
maximizing benefits and minimizing risks. The protection ofparticipants must prevail over the contribution to the field of
science.
c. Will subject the research protocol or design toorganizations created for the protection of research
participants in accordance with the statutes required by thelaws and regulations in force.
d. Will maintain an ethical attitude to make sure to protect thehumans involved in the research.

Code of Professional Ethics

e. Will obtain consent and inform. It must be in writing freely
and voluntarily by each participant in the research.
f. Will recognize any conflict or potential conflict of interest in
the research. If eliminating the potential conflict of interest
is not possible, it must be described in detail in the consent
form.
g. Respect and protect the confidentiality and privacy of
research participants.
h. Will protect and assist the study participants from any
physical, emotional or mental harm or discomfort. If any
arise, must attend them according to the relevant research
protocols.
i.

Will respect the autonomy and self-determination of theparticipants to be investigated in all phases or stages of theresearch and avoid the coercion or perception of coercionwith the potential participants.

j.

Will provide the necessary information to the participants of
the investigation so that they can exercise their autonomy
and self-determination.

k. Will respect the decision of the participants not tocollaborate or to withdraw at any stage or stage of theinvestigation, without penalty.
l.

No participant, or potential participant, will be coerced toparticipate in any investigation, nor will he be harmed in theservices that he receives or could receive.

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricom. Will ensure the consent of the persons or entities in charge
or custodians of the persons with reduced autonomy who
are going to participate in the investigation.
n. The management of the data or information obtained fromthe participants will only be discussed with the people
involved in the research.
o. The findings and information obtained in the research
process will be free from tampering and falsification in order
to benefit private interests, sources of funding or interest
groups.
p. Will disseminate the results and benefits of the research
to the participants, participating populations andthe professional community, protecting the principleof confidentiality. This should include presentations,discussions and publications in professional journals.
q. Will lead to the realization of research that will allow a better
understanding of the needs of the participants and thesocial problems of the country, in such a way as to develop
new models and social policies.
r. Will be governed by Canon Five of this Code for any
investigation using electronic equipment.

Revised and approved at Extraordinary Assembly on August 27, 2016 at theCentral University of Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This code will takeeffect on March 1, 2017.

Code of Professional Ethics

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San Buenaventura. Medellín, Colombia, S. A.
Silvana Elías, Gloria. (2012). El concepto de solidaridad
en Enrique Dussel como resistencia a las prácticas
hegemónicas. Cuadernos de La Facultad de Humanidades
Y Ciencias Sociales Universidad Nacional de Jujuy,
Argentina, 42,131–139.Recuperado de:
http://www.redalyc. org/articulo.oa?id? id=18531549009
Social media in Social work. National Association of Social
Workers, 58(2), 185-188. doi: 10.1093/sw/swt005.

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Recuperado de https://www.researchgate.net/
publication/237000878_Virtual_Boundaries_Ethical_
Considerations_for_Use_of_Social_Media_in_Social_
WorkSocial networking.
Social Work Today. Recuperado de
http://www.Socialworktoday.com /news/eoe_111309.shtml
Social Work Today, 11(3), 10. Recuperado de:
http://www.Socialworktoday.com/ archive/051711p10.shtml
University at Buffalo (n.f.). Additional resources on Social media
and Social work.
Vega, R. (2003). Taller socrático sobre tecnología y sociedad:
Dilemas éticos. Tercera Conferencia Trabajo Social
Forense. Oficina de Administración de los Tribunales,
Universidad Interamericana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Villela Iamamoto, Marilda. (2005). La investigación en Servicio
Social en el contexto latinoamericano: La experiencia
brasileña. Revista Cátedra Paralela, 2, 9–20. websites.
Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 11(1), 23-32.
work: Ethical implications. Social Work Today. Recuperadode http://www.Socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_073015.shtml
Zastrow, C. & Kirst, K. (2010). Understanding human behavior
and the Social environment (8va. ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Brooks/ColeCode of Professional Ethics

Glossary
1. Antivirus - These are programs whose function is toprevent, detect, combat and eliminate computer viruses.
2. Applications - Programs designed to perform specificfunctions on an electronic device such as a smartphone ortablet.
3. Assent - Approval or permission to take a professional
action. It must be accompanied by informed consent.
4. Autonomy - Based on the ethics of discourse, this isconceived as that dimension of human subjectivity which,in addition to implying capacity and possibility for selfdetermination and self-realization, warns of the ethicalcharacter of understanding oneself and others as coresponsible for conceiving generalizable norms, throughdialogue and argumentation with pretension of validity, that
promote solidarity, justice, equality, democracy and respect
for the freedom of all.
5. Axiology - science or theories of values. It is used only
to designate values of the moral order, never to refer tomaterial values.
6. Blogs - These are web platforms where articles or posts (inthe form of posts or entries) of different topics are regularly

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published, which are sorted by publication date, startingwith the most recent.
7. Citizenship construction - A process by which groups,
institutions, communities and individuals, regardless of theirimmigration status, put their capacity and intention into
action as a subject of law to transform their circumstancesand conditions that prevent their full development,
coexistence and social well-being, as well as the enjoymentof a decent quality of life. This includes autonomy, solidarity,
deliberation, participation and social action, with reference
to the dignity of people, social justice and equity.
8. Cloud services - These are services that are provided
directly on the Internet for the hosting of files (documents,
photos, videos, among others) on the web. These files canbe accessed at any time and can be shared with otherusers. You can also give access to other users to edit andreview the files.
9. Code of Ethics - The governing document that
establishes guidelines for best practices, and regulates theprofessional behavior expected by all those who practice
the profession in the country.
10. Confidentiality - Ownership of the information which
ensures that only authorized personnel will have access to it.
11. Conflict of interest - Any situation in which an interest of
the Social Work professional interferes or may interfere withthe best interests of the participants.

Code of Professional Ethics

12. Diminished autonomy - Situation in which theparticipants cannot make decisions related to theprofessional action due to physical condition, mental
condition, age, restriction of law or any other reason.
13. Discussion Forums - It is an online bulletin board, where
each user can place a question or comment, and wait fora series of responses to the posts that he or she places.
There are forums on various topics. Many people just readthe forums, because they often find useful information,
mainly in the area of health and technology.
14. Dual relations - A dual relationship occurs when
the Social Work professional is maintaining a different
relationship with the participant, in addition to theprofessional, which may be social, financial or of any typethat could vitiate the professional action process.
15. Dual roles - When the Social Work professional performs
more than one role in the professional action, in the samecase; example, therapist and expert.
16. Economic democracy - Consists of the participationof the social conglomerate in the enjoyment of the socioeconomic goods and services that are produced in thecommunity as a result of the work of all. Only whensuch participation is effective, that is, to the extent that
real possibilities of access to wealth and income areestablished for all members of the community, there can betalk of economic democracy.

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17. Electronic Equipment - Refers to computers, laptops,
tablets, cell phones, facsimiles, smartphones or audio
recorders, video cameras and email / text messaging
services such as WhatsApp, or those previously installed ineach cell phone.
18. Emancipation - It refers to the processes of liberation ofpeople and peoples who are recognized as oppressedby the existing social, economic, political and cultural
structures that deny their humanity and hurt their dignity.
They involve naming, recognizing and understanding
the forms of oppression and domination to which they
are subjected; to deny and to construct the discourses
by means of which the diverse manifestations of the
oppression are naturalized; and develop personal andcollective strategies to transform the current social order.
19. Emoticons - These are digital icons that represent facial
expressions or states of mind.
20. Encrypted - Is a security measure in computer systems
that is used to make confidential or important information
unreadable.
21. Epistemology - At the present time, the term is used
as equivalent to philosophy or theory of science. It is thecritical study of the principles, hypotheses and results ofthe various sciences to determine their origin and logicalstructure, their value and objective scope. Includes within
itself the study of the general method of scientific researchCode of Professional Ethics

and the analysis of the concepts of reference used by theparticular science.
22. Ethical dilemmas - These are situations in which theconflicts in ethical principles and all situations are imperfect.
23. Ethics - Dimension of the philosophy that studies morality,
trying to understand and explain moral behavior or thefoundation of being. In the case of Social Work, it implies
the behavior observed by the professionals in their work,and the norms that regulate their action and professional“must be”.
24. Fourth degree of consanguinity and third of affinity- Includes the father / mother; grandfather/grandmother;
grandson/granddaughter; son/daughter; brother/ sister;
uncle/aunt; nephew/niece; great-grandfather/greatgrandmother; great-grandson; cousin brother / cousin
sister; brother in law/sister in law; son in law/daughter inlaw; father in law/mother in law.
25. GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) - Image files that arecompressed so that they can generate movement.
26. Gifts - Includes, among others, money, goods or any
object, economic opportunities, tips, discounts, or special
attentions.
27. Hashtags - In social networks like Facebook, Twitterand Instagram, is a keyword or phrase preceded by thenumeral symbol (#). It is used to identify messages from a
specific topic, or to track conversations about a topic.

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28. High security password - It includes a minimum of eightcharacters that shows the combination of letters, numbers
and symbols. Passwords will be created to access thecomputer and folders that contain information about
participants. To install passwords on folders you will use or
download third-party applications to create them. Example:
Folder Lock (http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/).
29. Human Diversity - Wide range of human differences, andtheir effects on human behavior.
30. Human Rights - Historical product derived from thestruggles for the recognition that all human beings areborn free and equal in dignity. They have the characterof universality, indivisibility and interdependence throughwhich justice, solidarity, freedom and full humandevelopment are made possible. These are defined by theUnited Nations as “essential guarantees that we can live as
human beings. Without them we cannot cultivate or fully
exercise our qualities, our intelligence, talent and spirituality.
They include civil, political, social, economic, cultural andsolidarity rights that are recognized to all people regardlessof their immigration status.
31. Independent Practice - Professional governed by
the highest standards of the profession, guided by theprinciples of the Code of Ethics. It exercises its private
practice as a service provider without being linked as an
employee to a state agency, private agency or not-for-profit
entity. It uses theories and methods of the profession toCode of Professional Ethics

attend diverse types of participants, in diverse scenarios.
You can perform as: educator, consultant, forensic expert,
administrator, program director, evaluator, trainer, clinicalservices provider, community worker or advocate.
32. Intellectual property - The author of a literary, scientific or
artistic work has the exclusive right to benefit and disposeof it in accordance with the special laws in force on thesubject.
33. Internet - Refers to the proper and ethical use of web
pages, including the use of search engines and web
platforms such as discussion forums, chats, blogs,
social bookmarks, podcasting, location-based services,
consumer- call services, cloud services, applications /apps, and more.
34.	Location tools - These are services offered forsmartphones which allow to know the geographicallocation of the user. Some services allow consumers tocheck in at restaurants, shops, museums, events, andother attractions.
35. Meme - It is an image, video or text that contains humorous
elements, usually shared by many users on the Internet.
36. Multiple relationships - A multiple relationship occurs
when the Social Work professional is maintaining, inaddition to the professional, another different relationshipwith people or entities that could vitiate the professional
action process with the participant.

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37. Ontology - Participants are conceived as active andcritical human beings in interpreting situations involving
problems or needs.
38. Oppression - The condition of placing extreme and unfair
limitations and restrictions on the members of an identified
group.
39. Organic Law - Law that is needed from the constitutional
point of view to regulate some aspect of social life. Organic
laws have a different jurisdiction than ordinary laws.
40. Participants - Refer to individuals, families, groups,
community, students, and organizations.
41. Photo sharing sites - These are web platforms that allow
users to publish and share photos publicly or privately.
42. Political Ethics - Commitment to promote processes ofbroad participation between collegiate in the discussion ofcore issues for the construction of a Professional Projectthat allows us to effectively participate in: the defense ofhuman rights, and the concretization of social policies
for promote justice, equity and the improvement of ourworking conditions. Commitment to support the action
and professional organization based on the principles andvalues of the profession, and from a critical understandingof the situation on which it is affected. It involves taking
into account the constraints of the institutional context, thecomplexity of social reality, respect for autonomy, and theparticipation of social subjects in the issues that affect them.

Code of Professional Ethics

43. Professional action - A set of activities carried out by
Social Work professionals in direct service, teaching,research and social policy according to the values andprinciples of the profession.
44. Professional Project - Collective plan that responds tothe determinations of the Assembly, and will be operated
by the Board of Directors to promote the processesof broad participation among the collegiate in thediscussion of core issues for the defense of human rights,
concretization of social policies to promote social justiceand equity, and the improvement of working conditions.
45. Professional Standards - Reflect standards andknowledge shared and related to the principles on which
professional practice should be based.
46. Search engines - These are computer systems thatallow you to query all kinds of terms or keywords. Some
examples are Google and Yahoo.
47. Self-determination - this is the direction of behavior andaction of an individual according to his personal incentive,
as opposed to what is carried out by the pressure ofothers or the socio-cultural environment. In Social Work theexpression is used to refer to the right that each individual
has to choose and realize his own life project.
48. Social bookmarks - These are tools that allow a user to
add and save tags and comments on web pages. Thesepages are stored electronically in the browser (in the form

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College of Social Work Professionals of puerto ricoof folders) to facilitate quick access to such information.
Many of these bookmarks are now social, and allow users
to create a profile and other users (depending on privacy
options) can view their tags or bookmarks.
49. Social Democracy - Beyond representative democracy,
in which citizens have the right to vote and to be elected
to public office, social democracy it refers to the active
and critical participation of people in processes ofdeliberation and of political action for the construction of
more fair and equitable societies. It is characterized by
the prominence of social movements in public affairs, theregeneration of political institutions, and new forms ofpolitical representation of sectors traditionally oppressedand excluded by socio-economic order.
50. Social Justice - In general, designates the aspiration tocreate a social system of equity and justice for all citizens. It
is used to create a set of political proposals, political parties
and social movements, which aim to provide welfare,security and order to all members of a society, based onequal rights and obligations.
51. Social Media - Web platforms that allow users,
companies and organizations to create and share content
on different platforms. It refers to the proper and ethicaluse of personal and professional social networks such as
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, as well as photosharing sites like Instagram and Snapchat and videos ofsharing sites like YouTube, Vine and Vimeo, among others.

Code of Professional Ethics

52. Social Networks - These are online platforms that allow
users to create a public profile and interact with other users
on that platform. Social networks are a type or genre ofsocial media.
53. Social Work - A profession committed to participatory
democracy, social justice and confronting inequality andsocial inequality. It bases its ethical-political action on
the defense and extension of human rights. It frames
its professional practice in theoretical-methodologicaland technical-operative knowledge and skills, productof research and professional action in specific historicalcultural contexts. It is inserted in social research; social
policy analysis and formulation; the management andadministration of social programs; and professional actionsof social assistance, socio-educational, therapeutic,
teaching, and forensic, among others that affect thestrengthening of autonomy, the exercise of citizenshipand the integral well-being of the human being in all its
contexts.
54. Tagging - Is the option of placing a tag or a label oncontent published on social media. Users can tag one ormore contacts they have on a social network, for example,
Facebook. The tag can be included in any type of post or
entry (text, image, video, among others).
55. Technological - Refers to the proper and ethical useof electronic equipment such as computers, laptops,
tablets, cell phones or smartphones, audio recorders,

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video cameras and email/text messaging services such as
WhatsApp, or those that come previously installed in eachcell phone.
56. Unethical conduct - Non-fulfillment with the provisions of
this Code.
57. Video sharing sites - These are web platforms that allow
users to publish and share videos publicly or privately.
58. Vocational training - Education, training and preparation
for the knowledge of Social Work.
59. WhatsApp - Is an instant messaging service forsmartphones. It is used for sending texts, documents,
images, videos, audio messages and calls.
60. Web platforms - They are platforms that allow thegeneration of content by anyone. In the same way, they
allow interactivity and collaboration between content
creators.

Code of Professional Ethics

79College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico
P. O. Box 30382, San Juan, P.R. 00929-0382
Phone (787) 768-5700
www.cptspr.org