Unethical Behaviors Can Lead to License Suspension for Social Workers

 Posted on November 23,2022 in Medical License Defense

Social workers play a crucial role in helping people work through their problems and become effective, well-adjusted members of society. Whether social workers practice in child welfare agencies, addiction services, schools, or private practices, they help vulnerable people and communities deal with real-world problems.

Unfortunately, because of the often public-facing nature of their job, social workers often find themselves targeted by dissatisfied clients, parents, or coworkers. Social workers also carry the burden of performing professionally at a very high standard, protecting vulnerable people even at the expense of their own needs or desires. Sometimes, social workers make mistakes that jeopardize their ability to practice their profession; other times, they are unfairly singled out for retaliation. Whatever the allegations against you, if you are a social worker facing accusations of ethical misconduct, negligence, or other misbehavior, you need the help of an Illinois professional license defense attorney.

What Kind of Behaviors Are Considered Ethical Misconduct?

Social workers have to be cautious in their actions towards clients and clients’ families. Behaviors that are intended to be harmless may be easily misconstrued, especially by those who struggle with mental health issues, and even the most well–intentioned professional can make mistakes. Common complaints against social workers that can result in investigations and sanctions include, but are not limited to:

• Developing inappropriately intimate relationships with clients or their family members
• Accepting gifts or bribes that could influence or bias a social worker’s ability to be fair and impartial
• Failing to take reasonable steps to protect clients or to provide them with the necessary care
• Committing financial fraud against clients or government agencies
• Terminating a relationship with a client improperly
• Engaging in conflicts of interest
• Misrepresenting work experience, education, or credentialing

What Kind of Consequences Can Social Workers Face?

Depending on the results of the investigation, the willingness of the social worker to accept responsibility for the allegations against them, and the seriousness of the alleged behaviors, there are a wide range of responses that a professional board may take. These include:

• License suspension or revocation
• Probational placement
• Official reprimand
• Referral for criminal prosecution
• Publication of sanctions and the misconduct which the social worker is accused of

Contact an Illinois Social Worker License Defense Lawyer

If you are a licensed social worker and you are facing threats to your ability to work, make sure you have the help of an experienced Illinois social worker license defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we are experienced in all kinds of professional license defense and are equipped to help you defend your reputation and freedom to practice your profession. Call our office today at 630-310-1267 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.

Source:

https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/090915p20.shtml