Running Head: HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSION
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6-2 Journal: Codes of Ethics
HSE 101
SNHU
HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSION
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In the human service profession, the code of ethics plays an instrumental role to influence
how diverse professionals such as counselors, psychologists, social workers, and human services
professionals carry out their respective functions and duties. There exist a number of fundamental
values that need to be adopted by every professional such as honesty and integrity, advocating
social justice, objectivity and genuineness. It is also essential for human service professionals to
adopt an ethical decision-making process so that they will be able to make careful and well-
informed choices relating to their clients. However, there also exist a number of differences in the
codes that have been set for different professionals (Scott, 2021). For example, human service
educators have the responsibility to showcase high standards relating to scholarship in their
pedagogy and professional service. Similarly, human service professionals such as counselors
ensure to maintain the confidentiality of their clients so that their personal details will be known to
any third party.
The Human Services Code of Ethics closely fit with my personal values and principles as
an individual. I personally believe that people need to be honest and genuine towards the things
that they do. The code also emphasizes honesty and integrity aspects. I also believe that decisions
need to be made in an ethical manner so that they can create value for others (Scott, 2021). The
code also focuses on the importance of the ethical decision-making process. Decisions need to be
taken in an accountable and responsible manner by taking into consideration the consequences
that may arise for others.
The Human Services Code of Ethics has a number of elements that can be incorporated by
professionals while functioning in a dynamic setting. One of the specific parts of the code that I
can follow with the least difficulty relates to protecting the confidentiality as well as privacy of
clients. I would make sure to inform the clients about the limits of confidentiality so that I can be
HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSION
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transparent while engaging with them. Since I believe every individual has the fundamental right
to privacy, I exercise it in my day to day life. This personal value can play an instrumental role
and help me to respect the clients and their rights relating to privacy.
A particular part of the Human Services Code of Ethics that I find extremely difficult to
follow relates to the handling of multiple relationships. Managing relationships with diverse
individuals can increase the possibility of harm or risk for the clients. Even though I may act in a
responsible manner, the actions of other professionals may increase the vulnerability of clients. It
might be challenging for me to determine how ethically or responsibly others behave in the
human services setting while engaging with clients. It might also act as one of the major
challenges for me to manage unintentional bias that may arise while interacting or engaging with
clients. My lack of awareness of such issues can hamper the quality of service and the value that is
derived by clients in the human services domain.
References
Scott, T. (2021). Ethical standards for HS Professionals. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from
https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
