1. AASW Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Prepared by Sharlene Nipperess,
AASW National Ethics Group
(5 minutes)
Greeting.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners.
Introductions.
Housekeeping.
Overview of Training.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date

2. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Overview of the Review
Why review the Code of Ethics?
When was the review conducted?
Who reviewed the Code of Ethics?
How was the review conducted?
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(25 minutes)
Why: Ensure relevance and comply with constitutional objectives.
When: Planning commenced mid 2009, Code of Ethics Review Project Officer appointed September 2009, launched November 2010.
Who: Code of Ethics Review Committee (Associate Professor Donna McAuliffe, Christine King, Roslyn Giles AM, Gail Slocombe, Kym Daly and Sharlene Nipperess) and numerous other social work practitioners and academics across Australia and internationally.
How: Literature Review. Broad consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Working Group and National Ethics Group Convenors. Nine-stage Consultation Strategy developed on the basis of literature review and consultation. Consultation Strategy approved by AASW Board in November 2009.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date 2

3. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Revised Structure
New Preamble
Simplified values section
Repositioning of Ethical Practice and Decision Making section
Updated Glossary, Reference list and Appendices
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(10 minutes)
New preamble: Developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Working Group and the COERC, based on the Preamble from the Queensland Constitution.
Simplified values section: Three values in new Code: Respect for Persons, Social Justice and Professional Integrity (Five values in old Code: Human Dignity and Worth, Social Justice, Service to Humanity, Integrity and Competence).
Repositioning of Ethical Practice and Decision Making Section: In old Code this section was placed at the end of the document. In the new Code it is placed before the Ethical Responsibilities section. It has also been significantly reworked.
Updated Glossary, Reference List and Appendices: All have been significantly updated.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date 3

4. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Emphasis on Indigenous Issues
Front cover and story
New Preamble
Amended and new clauses
What does this mean?
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(10 minutes)
Front Cover and Story: New cover painted by Elizabeth McEntyre. Story links social work and Aboriginal peoples and culture.
New Preamble: Preamble sits at beginning of document. Acknowledges and pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and exhorts social workers to ensure that their practice is culturally competent.
Amended and new clauses: Numerous new and amended clauses throughout document.
What does this mean?: Significantly strengthens AASW and the social work professions commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date 4

5. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
New Values
Respect for Persons
Social Justice
Professional Integrity
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(10 minutes)
Respect for Persons: Based on the old value of Human Dignity and Worth.
Social Justice: Corresponds with previous value of Social Justice.
Professional Integrity: Most of the content is from the remaining three values (Service to Humanity, Integrity and Competence).
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date 5

6. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Other Significant Changes
International Definition of Social Work
Contextual section at beginning
Research and Self-employment sections
Remote Service Delivery
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(10 minutes)
International Definition of Social Work: International Federal of Social Work and International Association of Schools of Social Work (2001) joint definition.
Contextual section at beginning: Reworked front section of Code.
Research and Self-Employment sections: Considerably reworked.
Remote Service Delivery: Completely new section.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes
Date 6

7. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Other Significant Changes
Commitment to environmental protection
Spirituality
Reciprocal rights
Culturally competent, safe and sensitive practice
Professional boundaries and dual relationships
Gift-giving
Informed consent for children and young people
Deceased clients
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(15 minutes)
Commitment to environmental protection: Some new clauses explicating the social work professions commitment to environmental protection.
Spirituality: This Code separates spirituality and religion and includes new content on the topic.
Reciprocal rights: There are five new reciprocal rights.
Culturally competent, safe and sensitive practice: This section has been renamed, repositioned and there are six new clauses.
Professional boundaries and dual relationships: This section has been reworked considerably. Significant attention has been paid to sexual relationships and there is a new clause on Self-disclosure.
Gift-giving: New clauses on the acceptance of gifts.
Informed Consent for Consent for children and young people: New clauses on how informed consent relates to children and/or young people in particular.
Deceased clients: New clauses on protecting clients confidentiality in the event of a death of a client or the death of a social worker.
For further detail refer to accompanying notes.
Date 7

8. Code of Ethics 2010 Training
Conclusion
Code of Ethics 2010 Training
(5 minutes)
Concluding comments.
Thank participants.
Date 8