Ethics

If you work in community forensic social work, ethical questions are part of your day-to-day practice. You are often balancing client needs, legal requirements, agency expectations, and community safety, all while staying grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics. These situations are rarely clear-cut, and you are not alone in navigating them.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Advocacy vs. Compliance

Safety and Risk Management

Self-Care and Secondary Trauma

Informed Consent and Power Dynamics

Cultural Responsiveness and Anti-Oppressive Practice

Collaboration and Systems Navigation

Dual Relationships and Boundaries

Competence and Scope of Practice

Ethical Documentation