In a profession where you work so closely with people, who are often in need or vulnerable, the professional has to make sure that they are working within ethical boundaries and carrying out the values of the Human Services Profession. By upholding the ethics and values of Human Services Organizations you are making sure that you are maintaining professionalism and advocating for your clients who may be in vulnerable situations. These ethical guidelines allow for clients to not be taken advantage of and maintains boundaries that create a working relationship between the professional and client. Not only do ethics and values help to guide a professional through their relationships with clients, it also provides them a foundation to work with other entities such as communities, organizations, and other institutions they could encounter.
There is an important difference between ethics and values. In my experience I have seen ethics as guidelines for making sure to respect and acknowledge other’s experiences, and these govern how we should interact with one another. These guidelines help us to make the tough decisions in certain situations, allowing us to uphold the values of the Human Services Field. According to the National Organization of Human Services the “fundamental values of the human services profession include respecting the dignity and welfare of all people; promoting self-determination; honoring cultural diversity; advocating for social justice; and acting with integrity, honesty, genuineness and objectivity” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., ¶ 2). To uphold these standards as Human Services Professionals we need to work in an ethical manner to adjust our behaviors so that it reflects these values.
I can honestly say that in every single course I have encountered in the program, ethics and values has been part of the discussions or assignments. Some more than others, but either way it has been part of the conversation. One course in particular that dived into the realm of ethics and values quite extensively was the first quarter of practicum. This class was gearing us up for internships and therefore the ethical dilemmas we may face. We were given case scenarios of ethical dilemmas and asked what we should do based upon the NOHS Ethical Standards. These assignments really gave us a chance to see just how these standards could be applied within the field and what kinds of situations we could encounter. We were able to apply what we were learning to real and complex situations that had happened in the past. We were also tested on these and other scenarios during our benchmark exam to make sure that we had a good foundation of ethics and values before we embarked on our internships. We were tested upon our ethical understanding through the Benchmark Exam which determined if we could move on into the field experience and internship.
A course in which I learned a lot about values in was during Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems. Through this class I was able to really understand the personal values system that I hold due to my background and experiences, and how this could impact my professional career. Learning to realize the values I have on certain issues was important so I can realize how I might hold bias and to be aware of that. Being able to check myself, making sure that my personal values do not impede the services I give to people was a key learning aspect of this course. One assignment that we had to complete was a standpoint essay in which we discussed our views on a controversial topic, and where we believed the roots of this belief came from {Standpoint Essay}. After turning in this reflection we had to have an open dialogue with a peer who had opposing viewpoints. This opportunity was so eye opening because it allowed for me to understand how to communicate effectively with people of differing values and experiences while also learning and giving value to what they are saying. Through experiences such as these in my Junior Core Class I was able to come to the realization that every person has their own reality and view on life based on their past experiences which can dictate their personal value systems, and that each person’s view on their reality is valid. I think that this is key in understanding how your personal value system can impact your professional values, and once you are made aware of this you can check yourself to make sure you are acting in a professional and ethical manner.
Coming into this major I believe that I had a solid foundation on knowing what is right and wrong, but what I really gained through this program was how to separate my personal values and to act in a professional and ethical manner. Learning how to create and maintain healthy boundaries was perhaps the greatest tool that I learned about in my view this really helps in maintaining ethical practices and upholding the Human Services Values. Having these boundaries along with awareness of your personal value systems is what really allows you to step back and ask yourself if what you are doing is upholding the values and mission of the organization, or if you may be behaving in an unethical way because you are not representing these values.
It is one thing to learn in a classroom setting what to do during ethical dilemmas and how you should approach the situation to resolve it; but when actually in the field it can be truly difficult. You have to stop yourself as a professional and ask how your next actions will affect the organization or the clients that you work with. In my field studies I have had to the chance to work with the Opportunity Council’s Head Start program and occasionally I have had to check myself to see if I am acting ethically and upholding the values of my profession. Head Start is a program that allows for low-income families to send their kids to preschool for free so they are able to be exposed to school and be ready for kindergarten. Through my time working with this population I have also seen the other intersectionality between other systems that influence the families lives such as lack of educational opportunities, domestic violence, and sometimes prison. With such sensitive information confidentiality is a key component that I have to always be aware of since this is an ethical standard that I need to uphold.
According to the NOHS Ethical Standards towards the clients I have a responsibility to:
Protect the integrity, safety, and security of client records. Client information in written or electronic form that is shared with other professionals must have the client's prior written consent except in the course of professional supervision or when legally obliged or permitted to share such information (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., ¶ 12).
I have had to use this standard to remember that I am not to EVER discuss what happens with families and children in my internship with Head Start. I cannot disclose names or any identifying information that would allow for someone to recognize who I am talking about. Another time that this standard comes in handy is when I see the families or kids from Head Start out around town. I have been taught through this program that I am never to go up to any person that I am working with in my professional career, I have to let them acknowledge me if they choose to do so. This is not to be rude or ignore the relationship that I may have to this person but it is to respect their privacy or confidentiality. If someone from the public knows that I work with Head Start and what population that program serves, I am already breeching that persons confidentiality by going up to them and saying “hey remember me I work with your child in the Head Start class” or whatever it may be. So that is why I only allow for families and children to approach me and if they do so I make sure to never mention in our conversation the nature of our relationship or any disclosing information.
I have gained valuable experience and knowledge about ethical practices through the Human Services Program. I will no doubt be faced with ethical dilemmas in my future career but to know that I have the theory and practice in how to act ethically and uphold Human Services values makes me confident about handling such experiences in the future.
CSHSE Applicable Standards
Standard 13
Standard 17
Standard 19
Standard 20
References
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human service professionals. Retrieved from: http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
Council for Standards in Human Service Education. (2013). National Standards: Baccalaureate degree in human services. Retrieved from: http://www.cshse.org/pdfs/Standards-Baccalaureate.pdf
There is an important difference between ethics and values. In my experience I have seen ethics as guidelines for making sure to respect and acknowledge other’s experiences, and these govern how we should interact with one another. These guidelines help us to make the tough decisions in certain situations, allowing us to uphold the values of the Human Services Field. According to the National Organization of Human Services the “fundamental values of the human services profession include respecting the dignity and welfare of all people; promoting self-determination; honoring cultural diversity; advocating for social justice; and acting with integrity, honesty, genuineness and objectivity” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., ¶ 2). To uphold these standards as Human Services Professionals we need to work in an ethical manner to adjust our behaviors so that it reflects these values.
I can honestly say that in every single course I have encountered in the program, ethics and values has been part of the discussions or assignments. Some more than others, but either way it has been part of the conversation. One course in particular that dived into the realm of ethics and values quite extensively was the first quarter of practicum. This class was gearing us up for internships and therefore the ethical dilemmas we may face. We were given case scenarios of ethical dilemmas and asked what we should do based upon the NOHS Ethical Standards. These assignments really gave us a chance to see just how these standards could be applied within the field and what kinds of situations we could encounter. We were able to apply what we were learning to real and complex situations that had happened in the past. We were also tested on these and other scenarios during our benchmark exam to make sure that we had a good foundation of ethics and values before we embarked on our internships. We were tested upon our ethical understanding through the Benchmark Exam which determined if we could move on into the field experience and internship.
A course in which I learned a lot about values in was during Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems. Through this class I was able to really understand the personal values system that I hold due to my background and experiences, and how this could impact my professional career. Learning to realize the values I have on certain issues was important so I can realize how I might hold bias and to be aware of that. Being able to check myself, making sure that my personal values do not impede the services I give to people was a key learning aspect of this course. One assignment that we had to complete was a standpoint essay in which we discussed our views on a controversial topic, and where we believed the roots of this belief came from {Standpoint Essay}. After turning in this reflection we had to have an open dialogue with a peer who had opposing viewpoints. This opportunity was so eye opening because it allowed for me to understand how to communicate effectively with people of differing values and experiences while also learning and giving value to what they are saying. Through experiences such as these in my Junior Core Class I was able to come to the realization that every person has their own reality and view on life based on their past experiences which can dictate their personal value systems, and that each person’s view on their reality is valid. I think that this is key in understanding how your personal value system can impact your professional values, and once you are made aware of this you can check yourself to make sure you are acting in a professional and ethical manner.
Coming into this major I believe that I had a solid foundation on knowing what is right and wrong, but what I really gained through this program was how to separate my personal values and to act in a professional and ethical manner. Learning how to create and maintain healthy boundaries was perhaps the greatest tool that I learned about in my view this really helps in maintaining ethical practices and upholding the Human Services Values. Having these boundaries along with awareness of your personal value systems is what really allows you to step back and ask yourself if what you are doing is upholding the values and mission of the organization, or if you may be behaving in an unethical way because you are not representing these values.
It is one thing to learn in a classroom setting what to do during ethical dilemmas and how you should approach the situation to resolve it; but when actually in the field it can be truly difficult. You have to stop yourself as a professional and ask how your next actions will affect the organization or the clients that you work with. In my field studies I have had to the chance to work with the Opportunity Council’s Head Start program and occasionally I have had to check myself to see if I am acting ethically and upholding the values of my profession. Head Start is a program that allows for low-income families to send their kids to preschool for free so they are able to be exposed to school and be ready for kindergarten. Through my time working with this population I have also seen the other intersectionality between other systems that influence the families lives such as lack of educational opportunities, domestic violence, and sometimes prison. With such sensitive information confidentiality is a key component that I have to always be aware of since this is an ethical standard that I need to uphold.
According to the NOHS Ethical Standards towards the clients I have a responsibility to:
Protect the integrity, safety, and security of client records. Client information in written or electronic form that is shared with other professionals must have the client's prior written consent except in the course of professional supervision or when legally obliged or permitted to share such information (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., ¶ 12).
I have had to use this standard to remember that I am not to EVER discuss what happens with families and children in my internship with Head Start. I cannot disclose names or any identifying information that would allow for someone to recognize who I am talking about. Another time that this standard comes in handy is when I see the families or kids from Head Start out around town. I have been taught through this program that I am never to go up to any person that I am working with in my professional career, I have to let them acknowledge me if they choose to do so. This is not to be rude or ignore the relationship that I may have to this person but it is to respect their privacy or confidentiality. If someone from the public knows that I work with Head Start and what population that program serves, I am already breeching that persons confidentiality by going up to them and saying “hey remember me I work with your child in the Head Start class” or whatever it may be. So that is why I only allow for families and children to approach me and if they do so I make sure to never mention in our conversation the nature of our relationship or any disclosing information.
I have gained valuable experience and knowledge about ethical practices through the Human Services Program. I will no doubt be faced with ethical dilemmas in my future career but to know that I have the theory and practice in how to act ethically and uphold Human Services values makes me confident about handling such experiences in the future.
CSHSE Applicable Standards
Standard 13
Standard 17
Standard 19
Standard 20
References
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human service professionals. Retrieved from: http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
Council for Standards in Human Service Education. (2013). National Standards: Baccalaureate degree in human services. Retrieved from: http://www.cshse.org/pdfs/Standards-Baccalaureate.pdf