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Boundaries Issues
Aldonia Bailey, Lisa Yanik
BSHS/335
June 23, 2014
Candace Gilchrist











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Boundaries Issues
As Human service professionals we come across a wide range
of people that turn to us for help. While we want to choose the
best course of action to give these clients the best care
possible sometimes we may make decisions that arent exactly the
best. Even though we are supposed to maintain a professional
relationship with our client we may end up blurring that line
the longer we interact with them.
Ethical Boundaries
Boundaries are a strong guideline that we must uphold as
professionals. In some circumstances guidelines may fall to the
way side because we may develop feelings for our client that
cross the helper client boundary. If we, as professionals,
develop romantic feelings for our client and then act on those
feelings we have broken that bond of trust and professionalism
with them. Having an intimate relationship with a client now
curves our perspective of how to properly treat and care for our
client. We also have now broken one of the Human service
professions codes of ethics. It is unethical to strike up an
intimate relationship with a client because we can actually end
up hindering their recovery instead of helping. Being with the
client while the relationship is good can create a sense of
utopia for the client and offer a false reality for them. If the
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relationship does not work out and perhaps ends badly, then the
repercussions may have an even more devastating impact on the
client than what they had originally sought help for.
Professional Ethics
If for any reason a professional feels that he/she has
started having feelings for a client, it is their duty to first
inform their supervisor of the situation and then inform the
client that they can no longer work together. When we inform the
client, let them know that there are circumstances that have
arisen and you will no longer able to offer the proper care and
guidance that they require. It would also be helpful to inform
the client that through the transition you would help find the
best person to help them, to further their progress. The
professional should make sure that the client knows theyre in
good hands and that even though the caseworker is leaving it is
at no fault of theirs, its just the worker and the agency
doesnt want anything to impede on their treatment.
Caseworker Boundaries
Human Service professionals strive to better their clients
lives by equipping them with skills that will help them in their
everyday private lives. Caseworkers work closely with their
clients every day and sometimes they feel as family and this can
be the start of a slip of boundaries between client and
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caseworker. In a social work setting caseworkers who work with
children can feel theres a real bond or connection. An example
of crossing boundaries between client and caseworker is a client
with a terminal heart condition who has lost her spouse earlier
in the year and no next of kin, but a four year old son who she
feels she no longer can take care of because of her illness. Due
to her circumstances the mother has decided to put her son up
for adoption. The social worker assigned to the client is so
pleasant with her child and the client overhears the social
worker talking to a colleague about her plans for adoption and
the difficulties. Later the client ask the social worker if she
would consider being the adoptive parent for her son.
Ethical Risk
This situation is complex all around it can first be argued
that the lines between client and caseworker shouldnt be
blurred because there may be a risk of exploitation in the
future. Although it can also be said that this is a win-win
situation for everyone involved and is the basis of what human
service professionals are there for. The National Association of
Social Workers code of ethics states that social workers should
not enter into a dual or multiple relationship with a client or
former client where there is a risk of exploitation or potential
harm (Workers, 2014). Social workers should take steps to
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protect the client and are responsible for setting clear
boundary lines. In this situation it looks as if all people
involved would benefit but ethically the social worker would be
in the wrong to adopt the boy because she is the mothers
caseworker, if the mother had already died and the boy was left
alone it wouldnt be different, therefore its up to the
caseworker to decline and explain to the client the ethical
implications.
Conclusion
In everyday life a variety of people are faced with
boundary implications. Some boundaries are necessary because of
the work setting a caseworker is in and are usually created by
the individuals organization. As human service professionals we
are faced with numerous boundary implications with clients and
ethical dilemmas every day. Social situations with clients can
arise the situations stipulated above are not rare and human
service professionals need to know how to handle them in a
professional manner. As professionals in the human service field
it is our responsibility to ensure that the boundary lines are
properly set and that our code of ethics are adhere to at all
times.
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References
Workers, N. A. (2014). NASW Code of Ethics 1.06. Washington, DC,
United States of America.