According to the National Association of Social Workers, there are over 700,000 social service professionals in the US and at least three million globally.
Social workers, regardless of their demographics, area of expertise, or the community they serve, are all the same regarding ethical practices of the service. Unique in their own ways, the ethics of case management unite all social workers and case managers serving their respective communities worldwide.
Today, in this blog, we will look at some of the most needed case management ethics that make social service one of the most prestigious professions across the globe.
Empathy Above All
Whether you’re working with minors in juvenile justice or dealing with older adults in senior services, empathy is the key trait of a caseworker. Social workers must be empathetic to their clients and have the ability to resonate with them to better understand and advocate their rights.
The Need for Critical Thinking
Often while serving as a case manager, you must come up with solutions for your client’s problems. Critical thinking skills and the ability to think outside the box may not be an ethical requirement, but one that surely fits your role as a caseworker.
Keeping Biases at Bay
If there’s one profession that cannot let personal biases cloud judgment, it’s social work. Human services have one motto: to serve humanity regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, color, or gender. Caseworkers across all non-profits and NGOs must not allow unconscious biases and stereotypes to impact their service.
Informed Decision Making
A social service worker must use data when making decisions. This can be a client’s detailed history, similar cases, or global statistics that help you analyze a situation. Case managers that seek to improve their service do not look at their client’s cases in isolation and are always driven by data when making calls.
Never Undermine Accuracy
If there’s one thing that can jeopardize a social worker’s career, it’s lack of accuracy. Especially for caseworkers in child welfare, it’s essential to maintain record accuracy to avoid legal or ethical consequences.
Ensuring Compliance and Privacy
The right to privacy and identity protection is not just an ethical requirement but also a legal issue for caseworkers. Case managers are given exemptions in GDPR to make sure that the clients’ data and identities are protected at all costs. This is also one of the ethical standards that all social workers must live up to.
Upholding Professional Integrity
It’s essential that while serving a case, social workers don’t lose sight of their ultimate purpose, which is to ensure the betterment of their clients. But while protecting your client’s best interests, don’t overlook the legal, social, or professional bindings that may be compromised in certain situations.
Offer Dedication to Every Case
This may be a tricky task, but case managers are required to be dedicated to every case equally. This also means that if your caseload capacity is low, you should avoid taking on more clients than you can handle. Always keep an optimum number of cases at a time to offer dedicated and personalized case management service.
Take Feedback with an Open Mind
The number of social workers is rapidly declining, and those that are left can feel like their clients have no other choice. This attitude will not only ruin your profession's dignity, but it is also incorrect. Even if you work in a high-volume field like child welfare or foster care, don't forget to occasionally ask for honest feedback on your performance and make an effort to get better.
Adding Value to Your Service
Case management may just be assessing, lobbying, facilitating, or rehabilitating your clients. But as a caseworker, look for ways to add value to your services you provide your clients. From as little as spending a Christmas with a grieving family to eating a meal with the client in veteran, find out how you can be a meaningful addition to your client’s life.
Finding A Work-Life Balance
We are aware that providing social service work can be challenging. Low pay, challenging working conditions, and long hours could all be stressful. Therefore, it's crucial for caseworkers to occasionally take a break and return refreshed to better assist their clients.
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