Over the course of a helping relationship personal and confidential information is gathered. Please be assured that I am committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. This document will provide you with guidelines with regards to policies and procedures I work within in adherence to the Social Work code of Ethics and laws concerning the gathering of personal information, the use of personal information and disclosure of your personal health information. In addition guidelines of service and fees are also reviewed.
Code of Ethics
To review the complete code of ethics please follow this link:
http://www.ocswssw.org/professional-practice/code-of-ethics/
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Code of Ethics:
1. A social worker or social service worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary professional obligation;
2. A social worker or social service worker shall respect the intrinsic worth of the persons she or he serves in her or his professional relationships with
them;
3. A social worker or social service worker shall carry out her or his professional duties and obligations with integrity and objectivity;
4. A social worker or social service worker shall have and maintain competence in the provision of a social work or social service work service to a
client;
5. A social worker or social service worker shall not exploit the relationship with a client for personal benefit, gain or gratification;
6. A social worker or social service worker shall protect the confidentiality of all professionally acquired information. He or she shall disclose such
information only when required or allowed by law to do so, or when clients have consented to disclosure;
7. A social worker or social service worker who engages in another profession, occupation, affiliation or calling shall not allow these outside interests
to affect the social work or social service work relationship with the client;
8. A social worker or social service worker shall not provide social work or social service work services in a manner that discredits the profession of
social work or social service work or diminishes the public’s trust in either profession;
9. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate for workplace conditions and policies that are consistent with this Code of Ethics and the
Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers;
10. A social worker or social service worker shall promote excellence in his or her respective profession;
11. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate change in the best interest of the client, and for the overall benefit of society, the
environment and the global community.
http://www.ocswssw.org/professional-practice/code-of-ethics/
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Code of Ethics:
1. A social worker or social service worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary professional obligation;
2. A social worker or social service worker shall respect the intrinsic worth of the persons she or he serves in her or his professional relationships with
them;
3. A social worker or social service worker shall carry out her or his professional duties and obligations with integrity and objectivity;
4. A social worker or social service worker shall have and maintain competence in the provision of a social work or social service work service to a
client;
5. A social worker or social service worker shall not exploit the relationship with a client for personal benefit, gain or gratification;
6. A social worker or social service worker shall protect the confidentiality of all professionally acquired information. He or she shall disclose such
information only when required or allowed by law to do so, or when clients have consented to disclosure;
7. A social worker or social service worker who engages in another profession, occupation, affiliation or calling shall not allow these outside interests
to affect the social work or social service work relationship with the client;
8. A social worker or social service worker shall not provide social work or social service work services in a manner that discredits the profession of
social work or social service work or diminishes the public’s trust in either profession;
9. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate for workplace conditions and policies that are consistent with this Code of Ethics and the
Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers;
10. A social worker or social service worker shall promote excellence in his or her respective profession;
11. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate change in the best interest of the client, and for the overall benefit of society, the
environment and the global community.
Gathering and use of personal information
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) has provided documentation about the use of personal health information. Should you wish to review this further please link to http://www.ocswssw.org/professional-practice/phipa-toolkit/
Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
Within my practice of Social Work I adhere to the regulations under the provincial Regulated Health Professions Act. As such, all identifiable information collected by a Social Worker about an individual, in the course of practice, is considered "personal health information" under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). This includes your name and contact information, as well as any information collected/recorded in the course of providing services to you.
Collection of personal health information
I shall be collecting your personal health information directly from you. I am able to obtain personal information from other service providers (such as reports, previous assessments, or other services accessed) with your explicate written permission to do so by signing a PHIPA release. The law requires me to share personal information without your consent in an urgent situation, when the information is needed to prevent potential harm to yourself or others. The law also requires me under the Child Protection Act to report any suspected child abuse or neglect without prior consent.
The purpose of collecting information is relevant in order to provide you with the services you have requested and/or for which you have been referred; to maintain contact with you for service-related or future consent purposes; to prevent or offset harm (e.g., asking for an emergency contact).
In accordance with the law and professional standards I am required to keep records of services rendered and contact for a minimum of 7 years. The physical records are the property of my professional practice. You have a right to access your record, however, I am not permitted to share information from your record with other professionals or persons without signed consent to do so.
How your personal information is used
The primary use of personal health information is to deliver relevant service and support to you. This includes implementation of mutually agreed upon plans of support, planning, monitoring, billing etc. I utilize electronic and paper formats of documentation and please be assured that all documentation is secured and restricted at all times.
Release of Your Personal Health Information
With only a few exceptions, your personal health information will not be disclosed to persons without your knowledge and express consent. The exceptions are circumstances in which disclosure is allowed by law:
1. When there is a clear and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to someone, including the possibility of self-harm.
2. When disclosure is needed to receive professional or legal consultation.
3. For mandatory reporting of a child who might be in need of protection.
4. For mandatory reporting of a regulated health professional who has sexually abused a client.
5. In compliance with a court order to release information from a record.
6. To comply with professional regulations established by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, who may inspect records and interview me as a part of their regulatory activities (e.g., quality assurance) in the public interest.
7. To comply with regulatory authorities under the terms of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) for the purposes of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers for fulfilling their respective mandates under the RHPA, as well as for a defence of a legal issue.
8. To insurance companies, employee assistance programs, credit card companies or other third-party payers as needed, who often have your consent or legislative authority to direct me to collect and disclose to them certain information in order to demonstrate your entitlement to this funding and to answer questions about our services you have received. All persons involved in these activities are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of any accessed information. The above exceptions are called "limits of confidentiality." If there are other limits of confidentiality in your situation, we will identify and discuss them with you before proceeding with your service.
Retaining of records and destruction of personal information
For additional information please refer to:
http://www.ocswssw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Principle-IV-Amended-April-2015.pdf
Section 4.2.3 of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers states “College members ensure that each client record is stored and preserved in a secure location for at least seven years from the date of the last entry or, if the client was less than eighteen years of age at the date of the last entry, at least seven years from the day the client became or would have become eighteen. Different periods of storage time may be required by law. Longer periods of storage time may be defined by the policies of a member's employing organization or by the policies of a self-employed member or a member who is responsible for complying with privacy legislation. Such policies should be developed with a view to the potential future need for the record.”
Your right to access your personal health information
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, you have the right to access your personal health information. In the event that your record carriers’ information about another individual, references to that individual will be vetted from the record disclosed without their explicit written consent. Due to the nature of this work vetting records in some areas can be challenging and at times impossible.
In instances involving children, if you are the custodial parent/guardian of a child receiving service you may not access the child’s record without the child’s consent, if the child is deemed competent and able to provide consent to service on their own.
Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
Within my practice of Social Work I adhere to the regulations under the provincial Regulated Health Professions Act. As such, all identifiable information collected by a Social Worker about an individual, in the course of practice, is considered "personal health information" under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). This includes your name and contact information, as well as any information collected/recorded in the course of providing services to you.
Collection of personal health information
I shall be collecting your personal health information directly from you. I am able to obtain personal information from other service providers (such as reports, previous assessments, or other services accessed) with your explicate written permission to do so by signing a PHIPA release. The law requires me to share personal information without your consent in an urgent situation, when the information is needed to prevent potential harm to yourself or others. The law also requires me under the Child Protection Act to report any suspected child abuse or neglect without prior consent.
The purpose of collecting information is relevant in order to provide you with the services you have requested and/or for which you have been referred; to maintain contact with you for service-related or future consent purposes; to prevent or offset harm (e.g., asking for an emergency contact).
In accordance with the law and professional standards I am required to keep records of services rendered and contact for a minimum of 7 years. The physical records are the property of my professional practice. You have a right to access your record, however, I am not permitted to share information from your record with other professionals or persons without signed consent to do so.
How your personal information is used
The primary use of personal health information is to deliver relevant service and support to you. This includes implementation of mutually agreed upon plans of support, planning, monitoring, billing etc. I utilize electronic and paper formats of documentation and please be assured that all documentation is secured and restricted at all times.
Release of Your Personal Health Information
With only a few exceptions, your personal health information will not be disclosed to persons without your knowledge and express consent. The exceptions are circumstances in which disclosure is allowed by law:
1. When there is a clear and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to someone, including the possibility of self-harm.
2. When disclosure is needed to receive professional or legal consultation.
3. For mandatory reporting of a child who might be in need of protection.
4. For mandatory reporting of a regulated health professional who has sexually abused a client.
5. In compliance with a court order to release information from a record.
6. To comply with professional regulations established by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, who may inspect records and interview me as a part of their regulatory activities (e.g., quality assurance) in the public interest.
7. To comply with regulatory authorities under the terms of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) for the purposes of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers for fulfilling their respective mandates under the RHPA, as well as for a defence of a legal issue.
8. To insurance companies, employee assistance programs, credit card companies or other third-party payers as needed, who often have your consent or legislative authority to direct me to collect and disclose to them certain information in order to demonstrate your entitlement to this funding and to answer questions about our services you have received. All persons involved in these activities are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of any accessed information. The above exceptions are called "limits of confidentiality." If there are other limits of confidentiality in your situation, we will identify and discuss them with you before proceeding with your service.
Retaining of records and destruction of personal information
For additional information please refer to:
http://www.ocswssw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Principle-IV-Amended-April-2015.pdf
Section 4.2.3 of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers states “College members ensure that each client record is stored and preserved in a secure location for at least seven years from the date of the last entry or, if the client was less than eighteen years of age at the date of the last entry, at least seven years from the day the client became or would have become eighteen. Different periods of storage time may be required by law. Longer periods of storage time may be defined by the policies of a member's employing organization or by the policies of a self-employed member or a member who is responsible for complying with privacy legislation. Such policies should be developed with a view to the potential future need for the record.”
Your right to access your personal health information
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, you have the right to access your personal health information. In the event that your record carriers’ information about another individual, references to that individual will be vetted from the record disclosed without their explicit written consent. Due to the nature of this work vetting records in some areas can be challenging and at times impossible.
In instances involving children, if you are the custodial parent/guardian of a child receiving service you may not access the child’s record without the child’s consent, if the child is deemed competent and able to provide consent to service on their own.
Guidelines for service
Frequency of sessions
The momentum of our helping relationship is directed by your needs and goals. Some individuals come to me with a brief service model in mind to work through a specific issue with tangible outcomes, where as other require a less linear approach. Sessions are scheduled on an weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis as mutually agreed upon. Each session is 1 hour in duration, 50 minutes of that time is dedicated to the work and 10 minutes for planning purposes.
Cancellation
All scheduled sessions are your financial responsibility. Should you have to cancel an appointment, please provide 48 hours' notice. Failure to give 48 hours cancellation notice will result in you being charged the session fee for the missed appointment. There is often a waiting list for sessions so providing notice of cancellation will allow someone else the opportunity for an appointment.
Termination of service
The helping relationship may be terminated by either party, being myself or the client. Helping relationships end for a variety of reasons, lack of finances, lack of compatibility, not in a place to do the work at the time etc.. Should it be your determination to leave I encourage you to discuss this with me in an effort to ensure that you are supported outside of our helping relationship upon termination. In the event that the issues brought before me are outside of the realm of my expertise I will advise the limits of my abilities in your best interests. I encourage people I work with to provideme feedback about what has been useful and what isn`t useful for you in an effort to keep moving forward toward your goal attainment.
The momentum of our helping relationship is directed by your needs and goals. Some individuals come to me with a brief service model in mind to work through a specific issue with tangible outcomes, where as other require a less linear approach. Sessions are scheduled on an weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis as mutually agreed upon. Each session is 1 hour in duration, 50 minutes of that time is dedicated to the work and 10 minutes for planning purposes.
Cancellation
All scheduled sessions are your financial responsibility. Should you have to cancel an appointment, please provide 48 hours' notice. Failure to give 48 hours cancellation notice will result in you being charged the session fee for the missed appointment. There is often a waiting list for sessions so providing notice of cancellation will allow someone else the opportunity for an appointment.
Termination of service
The helping relationship may be terminated by either party, being myself or the client. Helping relationships end for a variety of reasons, lack of finances, lack of compatibility, not in a place to do the work at the time etc.. Should it be your determination to leave I encourage you to discuss this with me in an effort to ensure that you are supported outside of our helping relationship upon termination. In the event that the issues brought before me are outside of the realm of my expertise I will advise the limits of my abilities in your best interests. I encourage people I work with to provideme feedback about what has been useful and what isn`t useful for you in an effort to keep moving forward toward your goal attainment.
Fees
Please contact Triena by phone or email for information regarding fees.
Insurance/coverage
Services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSW) are not covered by OHIP, however, many insurance plans have coverage for these services. Please check with your insurer regarding your, and your families, eligible annual coverage. Invoices and receipts for submission to your insurance carrier are provided.
Social Work Medical Tax Credit
There are federal tax deductions for services rendered by Social Workers under medical expenses incurred.
http://www.casw-acts.ca/en/social-work-included-medical-expense-tax-credit
http://www.cra.gc.ca/medical
Cancellation or missed appointment
At least 24 hours notice for appointment cancellation is required or you may be charged for the missed session.
Payment
Payment for services are accepted by the way of cash, personal cheque or email transfer. Payment is due at the conclusion of each session, if by email transfer prior to the session, or as mutually agreed upon. A receipt for all payments will be issued. Payment is due at each session, by cash or cheque. Receipts are issued at that time and should be saved for tax or insurance purposes.
Insurance/coverage
Services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSW) are not covered by OHIP, however, many insurance plans have coverage for these services. Please check with your insurer regarding your, and your families, eligible annual coverage. Invoices and receipts for submission to your insurance carrier are provided.
Social Work Medical Tax Credit
There are federal tax deductions for services rendered by Social Workers under medical expenses incurred.
http://www.casw-acts.ca/en/social-work-included-medical-expense-tax-credit
http://www.cra.gc.ca/medical
Cancellation or missed appointment
At least 24 hours notice for appointment cancellation is required or you may be charged for the missed session.
Payment
Payment for services are accepted by the way of cash, personal cheque or email transfer. Payment is due at the conclusion of each session, if by email transfer prior to the session, or as mutually agreed upon. A receipt for all payments will be issued. Payment is due at each session, by cash or cheque. Receipts are issued at that time and should be saved for tax or insurance purposes.