Course Agenda

    1. Instructions

    1. Pretest Instructions

    2. Pretest

    1. Course Overview

    1. Print Posttest Study Guide

    2. The Concept of Risk Management

    3. Practitioner Mistakes, Deliberate Decisions, and Misconduct

    4. Boundary Crossings vs. Boundary Violations

    5. Ethics and Licensing Board Complaints

    6. Negligence Claims and Civil Lawsuits

    7. Lawsuits vs. Criminal Proceedings

    1. Client Rights

    2. Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy

    3. Responding to Subpoenas

    4. Considerations in Protecting Clients

    5. Case Vignette Related to Confidentiality and HIV Status

    6. Informed Consent

    7. Case Vignette Related to Informed Consent and Minors

    8. Service Delivery

    9. Case Vignette Related to the Provision of Novel Interventions

    10. Use of Digital and Electronic Technology

    11. Boundary Issues, Dual Relationships, and Conflicts of Interest

    12. Case Vignette Related to Boundary Issues

    1. Documentation

    2. Example of Documentation in Typical Practice Settings

    3. Case Vignette Related to Accurate Documentation

    4. Record Storage and Retention

    5. Supervision

    6. Consultation 

    7. Termination of Services

    8. Case Vignette Related to Termination

    9. Practitioner Impairment, Misconduct, and Incompetence

    10. Case Vignette Related to a Colleague’s Incapacity

About this course

  • $18.00
  • 40 lessons

Course Details

Course Description

This course provides social workers with an overview and examination of compelling ethical and risk-management challenges in the profession by exploring high-risk ethical issues and practical strategies designed to protect clients, practitioners, supervisors, and agencies. The concepts of risk management and the nature of ethics complaints, litigation, and disciplinary action in social work are explored along with many of the key risks associated with social work practice. The course incorporates 10 case vignettes that discuss the practical steps that social workers can take to skillfully manage ethical issues. To print a certificate of completion, the online posttest must be passed with a score of 80% or better.

Target Audience

This course can be used toward the ongoing California LCSW license renewal continuing education requirement of six (6) hours of training in law and ethics every renewal every two years.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, readers will be able to do the following:

  • Define the concept of risk management
  • Identify liability, malpractice, and disciplinary action risks in social work
  • Identify potential risks to clients, social workers, supervisors, and agencies
  • Design and implement an ethics audit
  • Design strategies to protect clients, social workers, supervisors, and agencies

Discover your potential, starting today