Risk Management in Social Work: Preventing Professional Malpractice, Liability, and Disciplinary Action

385 Pages·2014·1.65 MB·English

by  Frederic G. Reamer

RISK MANAGEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK

Risk
Management
in Social Work
PREVENTING PROFESSIONAL
MALPRACTICE, LIABILITY, AND
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Frederic G. Reamer
Legal review by Michael J.
Racette, Esq.
columbia university press(cid:18) new york
columbia university press
Publishers Since 1893
New York Chichester, West Sussex
cup.columbia.edu
Copyright © 2015 Columbia University Press
All rights reserved
The first and second editions of this book carried the title
Social Work Malpractice and Liability: Strategies for Prevention
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Reamer, Frederic G., 1953– author.
[Social work malpractice and liability]
Risk management in soical work : preventing professional malpractice, liability,
and disciplinary action / Frederic G. Reamer; legal review by Michael J. Racette,
Esq. — [Updated edition].
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-231-16782-6 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-231-16783-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) —
ISBN 978-0-231-53843-5 (e-book)
1. Social workers—Malpractice—United States. 2. Social workers—Legal status,
law, etc.—United States. I. Title.
KF3721.R43 2015
344.7303ʹ13—dc23
2014014581
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper.
This book is printed on paper with recycled content.
Printed in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover design: Jordan Wannemacher
References to websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.
Neither the author nor Columbia University Press is responsible for URLs
that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.
for deborah, emma, and leah

contents
preface(cid:18)XI
one
(cid:2)
Professional Risk Management: An Overview(cid:18)1
Professional Malpractice and Liability(cid:18)2
Key Concepts in Risk Management(cid:18)3
The Elements of Malpractice and Liability(cid:18)6
Process Versus Outcome and the Standard of Care(cid:18)13
Damages in Liability Cases(cid:18)18
two
(cid:2)
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication(cid:18)23
The Concept of Privacy(cid:18)23
Common Confidentiality Issues(cid:18)27
The Concept of Privileged Communication(cid:18)61
Responding to Subpoenas and Court Orders(cid:18)71
Unintentional Disclosure of Confidential Information(cid:18)76
three
(cid:2)
The Delivery of Services(cid:18)86
Clients’ Rights(cid:18)87
Informed Consent(cid:18)89
Clinical Assessment and Intervention(cid:18)99
Negligent Intervention(cid:18)105
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships(cid:18)110
Managing Boundary Risks(cid:18)117
Undue Influence(cid:18)119
Suicide(cid:18)122
Involuntary Civil Commitment(cid:18)129
viii contents
Protective Services(cid:18)133
Defamation of Character(cid:18)141
Digital Technology and Social Media(cid:18)143
four
(cid:2)
Impaired Social Workers(cid:18)154
The Nature of Impairment(cid:18)155
Extent of Impairment(cid:18)157
Causes of Impairment(cid:18)160
Sexual Abuse of Clients(cid:18)163
Practitioner Substance Abuse(cid:18)173
Response to Impairment(cid:18)176
Risk Management Strategy(cid:18)182
The Challenge for Social Work(cid:18)185
five
(cid:2)
Supervision: Clients and Staff(cid:18)190
Client Supervision(cid:18)190
Staff Supervision(cid:18)194
Supervision Case Law(cid:18)199
Supervision of Volunteers(cid:18)205
Liability and Social Work Education(cid:18)207
Preventing Supervisory Liability(cid:18)209
six
(cid:2)
Consultation, Referral, Documentation,
and Records(cid:18)216
Consultation in Social Work(cid:18)217
Referral in Social Work(cid:18)223
Social Work Documentation and Records(cid:18)226
Evolution of Social Work Standards(cid:18)230
Risk Management Standards and Guidelines(cid:18)232
seven
(cid:2)
Deception and Fraud(cid:18)251
Self-interested Deception and Fraud(cid:18)252
Deception and Fraud Motivated by Altruism(cid:18)270
contents ix
eight
(cid:2)
Termination of Service(cid:18)275
The Concept of Abandonment(cid:18)275
Premature Termination(cid:18)277
Prevention Strategy(cid:18)286
nine
(cid:2)
Responding to Lawsuits and Ethics Complaints:
The Role of Prevention(cid:18)288
In the Event of a Lawsuit or Licensing Board Complaint(cid:18)288
The Role of the Expert Witness(cid:18)295
Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Practice(cid:18)297
Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Ethics(cid:18)298
Ethical Dilemmas and Decision Making(cid:18)301
Conducting an Ethics Audit(cid:18)306
appendix: sample forms(cid:18)311
notes(cid:18)319
references(cid:18)327
legal citations(cid:18)357
index(cid:18)363