Social Work Malpractice and Liability: Strategies for Prevention / Edition 2

by Frederic G. Reamer

Overview

Long regarded as the standard text for classroom use and an invaluable reference for agency administrators, social work supervisors, line clinicians, and private practitioners, Social Work Malpractice and Liability has now been updated to include new material on the revised NASW Code of Ethics, recent court decisions related to social work malpractice and liability, boundary issues and dual relationships, and how social workers can conduct an "ethics audit" in the workplace.

After introducing the concepts of negligence, malpractice, and liability, Frederic Reamer turns to the subject of risk management. Using recent cases, he describes a wide variety of problems related to privacy and confidentiality, improper treatment and delivery of services, impaired practitioners, supervision, consultation and referral, fraud and deception, and termination of service, concluding with practical suggestions for social workers named as defendants in lawsuits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231127219
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	11/05/2003
Series:	Foundations of Social Work Knowledge Series
Edition description:	second edition
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Frederic G. Reamer is professor of social work at Rhode Island College. A recipient of the Council on Social Work Education's award for distinguished contributions in social work, he is the author of ten books published by Columbia.

Table of Contents

Contents
Preface
1. Professional Malpractice and Liability: An Overview
2. Confidentiality and Privacy
3. Service Delivery: Improper Treatment
4. Service Delivery: Impaired Social Workers
5. Supervision: Clients and Staff
6. Consultation, Referral, and Records
7. Deception and Fraud
8. Termination of Service
9. Concluding Observations
Appendix: Sample Forms
Legal Citations

What People are Saying About This

Paul A. Kurzman

Social Work Malpractice and Liability is the definitive work on this subject, written by the preeminent scholar on the topic in the social work profession. Professor Reamer once again speaks here with great clarity, authority and wisdom. Clearly, this book simply has no equal. Don't leave home [for work] without it!

— Paul A. Kurzman, Ph.D., ACSW, Professor, Hunter College School of Social Work, The City University of New York

Loretta Sih Robinson

A defining, landmark reference for social workers in nearly every setting. It is a thoughtful guide, containing illustrative case examples. It provides the perspectives and strategies to mitigate a social worker's malpractice risk, while still respecting the profession's values and objectives as the overarching principles. It underscores what we at the NASW Insurance Trust have seen in the past few decades--that, indeed, it is possible to substantially reduce one's professional liability risk through continuing education that links competent practice, ethics and informed decisionmaking.

— Loretta Sih Robinson, Director, National Association of Social Workers Insurance Trust

Sheldon R. Gelman

Essential reading for every practitioner, especially those in independent practice. Identifies obligations, pitfalls and required preventative actions. Excellent use of case law and practice wisdom to illustrate accountable practice.

— Sheldon R. Gelman, Ph.D., Dean of Kurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University