Ethics and Professional Conduct
Ethical practice rests on core principles: beneficence (do good), nonmaleficence (do no harm), autonomy (respect client choice), fidelity (be truthful and keep commitments), justice (fair access), and dignity (respect the person). When principles conflict, document your reasoning and prioritize client welfare and safety.
Informed consent requires capacity, voluntariness, and disclosure of purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives; it is ongoing and can be withdrawn. Assent from a minor or an individual without legal capacity is not a substitute for guardian consent - obtain both where possible. A frequent trap is treating a signed form as permanent consent.
Protect confidentiality and know its limits: danger to self or others, suspected abuse or neglect (mandatory reporting), and court orders. Communicate only with authorized parties and use secure channels. Avoid multiple relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit the client; when unavoidable, disclose and manage them.
Practice within your scope of competence and refer when a case exceeds it. Maintain data integrity: never fabricate, falsify, or selectively report data; correct errors openly. Restrictive procedures require the least-restrictive alternative, consent, oversight, and monitoring. Supervisees must be properly trained and their work monitored.
Rule of thumb: if you would hesitate to describe the action to the client, the family, and a peer reviewer, do not do it. Worked example: a caregiver offers a large gift - decline politely, explain policy, and document the interaction rather than accepting privately.