On April 27, the Committee on Ethics and Professional Standards sponsored a mini-conference at Hunter College School of Social work. Dr. Kurzman spoke of the tensions between NASW standards and the realities of practice, our dual commitment to the individual and to society, and conflicting legal regulations. Confidentiality is used as a shield to protect the system's failure as well as protect the client.
Students look for absolute answers.
The NASW and Ethics Code of Ethics is general and abstract. More specific guidelines would be helpful in resolving ethical dilemmas. Since the Committee on Inquiry has become more legalistic rather than peer review oriented, NASW should develop other mechanisms for helping members think through ethical dilemmas. The Chapter should sponsor forums on ethics and standards. As a follow up, the Committee on Ethics and Professional Standards under the leadership of Ann Burack-Weiss is planning a larger conference on ethics and professional regulation in the spring of 1993.