Preamble

In the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) Standards for Accreditation, CASWE states the following: EPAS-2021-1.pdf

“The academic unit describes how it informs students, faculty members, field education personnel, sessional instructors, and professional and administrative staff of existing academic unit and university policies and procedures including but not limited to accessibility; assessment; appeals; codes of conduct; confidentiality; data storage; disability accommodation; equity; harassment; liability coverage; professional readiness and suitability; and use of social media.”

As stated in the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics, CASW Code of Ethics, Values and Guiding Principles 2024 | Canadian Association of Social Workers (casw-acts.ca) confidentiality is a professional value that demands that professionally acquired information about individuals, groups or the community be kept private and not be shared with third parties unless the individuals, groups or community provide their informed consent. These guidelines recognize that a professional or legal obligation in specific circumstances may require communication of information without obtaining such consent.

As professionals, students and faculty must comply with applicable provincial laws on confidentiality, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90f31), the Health Care Consent Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/96h02), Policy 90 – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Policy 90 - Access to Information and Protection of Privacy | About us (uottawa.ca), as well as guidelines on confidentiality in the CASW Code of Ethics. All parties are responsible for ensuring that no personal or medical information that could identify an individual, group or community is used for class or work. As well, even though it is recognized that the classroom is a public place, faculty members and students must respect each other’s privacy during discussions as part of class activities outside the classroom. Violation of privacy laws or these guidelines could result in the application of measures from the School of Social Work’s Professional Suitability Policy.

The following guidelines are based on general best practices. The School of Social Work recognizes that circumstances vary, and encourages consultation with a field supervisor, field placement coordinator or faculty member.

• The student and the field supervisor discuss issues of confidentiality during orientation for the field placement. The student must read the section on Confidentiality in Professional Practice in the Code of Ethics before interacting with individuals, groups or the community. The student must sign a form confirming that the student has read it.
• The confidentiality guidelines for the location of the field placement will be provided to the student, who must read them and sign a form confirming that the student understands those guidelines and will comply with them.
• Any student who will become privy to personal information or personal medical information must sign a non-disclosure agreement.
• The student is expected to have a basic understanding of confidentiality and its limits, and must be transparent with the individuals or groups the student will be working with by informing them of these limits.
• The limits to confidentiality include issues as required or allowed under relevant legislation or court orders, or in situations that clearly establish that individuals pose a threat to themselves or to others.
• Case studies must not include any information that could identify an individual, such as a first or last name, home address, or workplace.
• Documents that contain information that can be used to identify individuals or groups that are consulting or working with an organization where the field placement is conducted must be handled according to the policies of that organization.
• The destruction of documents containing information that can be used to identify individuals, including electronic files, must be carried out in accordance with the organization’s protocols.
• Confidentiality guidelines must be observed in the use of social media.

Presented to the Undergraduate Studies Committee for the School of Social Work on February 8, 2016, and to the Graduate Studies Committee for the School of Social Work on February 11, 2016.

Presented to and adopted by the Departmental Assembly of the School of Social Work on February 23, 2016

Revised on May 28, 2024 – New Standards of CASWE