Ethics for School Counselors Presented By Diana Plummer, M.Ed, LPC

Ethics: A system of moral principles governing the appropriate conduct for a person or group ETHICS?

The American School Counselor Association’s Ethical Standards for School Counselors WHAT STANDARDS SHOULD BE USED FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS?

LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) Regulations LPC STANDARDS

 Responsibility  Competence  Client Welfare  Fees and Bartering  Professional Standards Relations with the Public and Other Professions  Failure to Comply RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

*Will Guard You and Keep You in Safe Places… *Avoid Dual Relationships *Uphold Ethical Standards and Practices *Familiarize You With Professional Regulations and Legalities PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

Confidentiality in the School Setting How Does It Apply to Me? TO TELL OR NOT TO TELL…THAT IS THE QUESTION

CONFIDENTIALITY Definition: “A person’s right to the protection of private, personal information shared with a school for the purpose of receiving services.”

WHAT TYPE OF OBLIGATION IS IT? Confidentiality is an ethical obligation of each staff member Confidentiality is also a legal responsibility of each staff member

 *Is it a “Need to Know”?  *What is the Intent?  *Will it benefit the student in some way if you share this information with another staff member? Or…it is just entertainment for yourself or others?

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? School staff has the responsibility of preserving information about students and their families only for the benefit of that student.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Essential Principles:  Records kept confidential  Parent or eligible student can access records  Parent or eligible student can request amendment of records

LEGALITIES… o Know the School Laws of Oklahoma o See Section 155. Information Concerning Pupil o It shall be unlawful for any teacher to reveal any information concerning a student obtained by the teacher in their capacity as a teacher except as may be required in the performance of the contractual duties of the teacher or as otherwise required by law. Any violation of this section shall upon conviction be considered a misdemeanor.

MORE LEGALITIES… See ( ) of School Laws of Oklahoma A School district can provide information concerning age and scholastic records to proper school and college officials or other organizations, at discretion of Board of Education.

What is a counselor to do??? FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS FACING DILEMMAS

Corey and Corey 1.Identify the Problem. 2.Identify potential issues involved. Ex.: Cultural issues for the counselor and client. 3.Review the Ethics Code. 4.Know applicable laws. 5.Attain consultation. 6.Consider possibilities. 7.Consider possible consequences. 8.Take best course of action. USE AN ETHICAL DECISION- MAKING MODEL

o Read each scenario from the handout and as a group decide on what you would do in that particular situation. Use the ASCA Code of Ethical Standards and LPC Regulations provided as well as the Ethical Decision-Making Model in your decision. o Be prepared to report on decision and how you would handle the situation. NOW…IT IS YOUR TURN…

Know the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors  Know the Standards of Your Profession  Know Your Professional Boundaries  Know the Legalities  Use an Ethical Decision-Making Model  Consult  Document, Document, Document! IN CONCLUSION…

Diana Plummer, M.Ed, LPC Career Counselor Central Tech CONTACT INFORMATION