The department and its employees should recognize the vulnerability of their clients and the serious responsibilities associated with intervention. The behavior of social service professionals should reflect the emphasis placed by the social service field on professional trustworthiness and on the values of respect for persons, client self determination, individualized intervention, competence, loyalty, diligence, honesty and confidentiality.
Social service professionals have a duty to be familiar with their responsibilities under this SOP and to consider which ethical principles apply in each practice decision. Social service professionals should follow applicable ethical principles in each practice decision. If there is a conflict between two or more ethical principles and/or responsibilities in a particular case, social service professionals should consult with superiors and colleagues knowledgeable about ethics issues in choosing a proper course of action.