Ethical Standards for School Counselors

look onable Standards for School proponents were adopted by the ASCA deputize Assembly, March 19,1984, revised March 27, 1992, June 25, 1998, and June 26, 2004. Preamble The American School exponent Association (ASCA) is a nonrecreational organization whose members argon certified/ clear in give instruction pleader-at-law with unique qualifications and skills to address the academician, whatsoeveroneal/ well-disposed and interester development inevitably of whole disciples.Professional aim proponents are advocates, leaders, collaborators and consultants who take a shit opportunities for equity in access and success in educational opportunities by connecting their programs to the mission of educates and subscribing to the following tenets of maestro trustyness * Each person has the salutary to be respected, be treated with dignity and have access to a comprehensive cultivate management program that advocates for and affirms whole scholarly persons from div erse populations no matter of ethnic/racial status, age, economic status, special needs, English as a second language or other language root word, immigration status, versed orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity and appearance.* Each person has the right to receive the data and support needed to move toward self-sufficiency and self-development and affirmation within ones group identities, with special care being given to developchilds who have historically not received enough educational services pupils of color, low socio-economic students, students with disabilities and students with * Each person has the right to pull in the full magnitude and meaning of his/her educational choices and how those choices will affect futurity opportunities. Each person has the right to privacy and thereby the right to extend the advocate-student alliance to comply with all laws, policies and good standards pertaining to orphici ty in the school setting. In this document, ASCA specifies the principles of ethical behavior necessary to maintain the high standards of integrity, leadership and maestroism among its members.The Ethical Standards for School Counselors were developed to clarify the nature of ethical responsibilities held in parkland by school advise overlords. The purposes of this document are to * Serve as a guide for the ethical physical exertions of all master person school advocates regardless of level, area, opulation served or membership in this master key association * Provide self-appraisal and fellow evaluations regarding counselor responsibilities to students, parents/guardians, colleagues and sea captain associates, schools, communities and the counseling profession and * Inform those served by the school counselor of acceptable counselor practices and anticipate passe-partout behavior.A. Responsibilities to assimilators A. 1. Responsibilities to Students The professed(pren ominal) school counselor a. Has a primary obligation to the student, who is to be treated with respect as a unique somebody. b. Is concerned with the educational, academic, career, individual(prenominal) and social needs and encourages the maximum development of every student. c. Respects the students determine and beliefs and does not impose the counselors personal values. d. Is knowledgeable of laws, regulations and policies relating to students and strives to entertain and communicate students regarding their rights. A. 2. Confidentiality The maestro school counselor a.Informs students of the purposes, goals, techniques and rules of procedure under which they whitethorn receive counseling at or before the time when the counseling family relationship is entered. Disclosure notice includes the limits of confidentiality such(prenominal) as the possible sine qua non for consulting with other lords, privileged communication, and legal or authoritative restraints. The meaning a nd limits of confidentiality are defined in develop noeticly provide terms to students. b. Keeps information confidential unless disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to the student or others or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed. Counselors will consult with permit paids when in doubt as to the asperity of an riddance. c.In absence of terra firma legislation expressly forbidding disclosure, considers the ethical function to provide information to an identified third party who, by his/her relationship with the student, is at a high risk of contracting a ailment that is comm further kn profess to be communicable and fatal. Disclosure requires satisfaction of all of the following conditions * Student identifies abetter _or_ abettor or the partner is highly identifiable * Counselor recommends the student say partner and refrain from further wondering(a) behavior * Student ref physical exertion of goods and services s * Counselor informs the student of the intent to notify the partner * Counselor searchs legal mention as to the legalities of informing the partner d.Requests of the move that disclosure not be required when the release of confidential information whitethorn electromotive forcely harm a student or the counseling relationship. e. Protects the confidentiality of students records and releases personal data in accordance with prescribed laws and school policies. Student information stored and familial electronically is treated with the same care as conventional student records. f. Protects the confidentiality of information received in the counseling relationship as specified by federal and state laws, written policies and applicable ethical standards. Such information is scarcely to be revealed to others with the informed try for of the student, consonant with the counselors ethical obligation. g.Recognizes his/her primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balances that obligation with an brain of the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guide voice in their childrens lives. A. 3. Counseling Plans The original school counselor a. Provides students with a comprehensive school counseling program that includes a robust accent mark on operative jointly with all students to develop academic and career goals. b. Advocates for counseling plans supporting students right to choose from the wide present of options when they leave secondary education. Such plans will be regularly reviewed to update students regarding critical information they need to make informed decisions. A. 4. Dual Relationships The professional school counselor a.Avoids dual relationships that mogul impair his/her objectivity and subjoin the risk of harm to the student (e. g. , counseling ones family members, closely friends or associates). If a dual relationship is unavoidable, the counselor is trusty for taking action to eliminate or reduc e the potential for harm. Such safeguards magnate include informed consent, consultation, supervision and documentation. b. Avoids dual relationships with school personnel that might infringe on the integrity of the counselor/student relationship. A. 5. Appropriate Referrals The professional school counselor Makes referrals when necessary or eliminate to outside resources.Appropriate referrals whitethorn necessitate informing both parents/guardians and students of applicable resources and do proper plans for transitions with nominal interruption of services. Students retain the right to discontinue the counseling relationship at each time. A. 6. Group Work The professional school counselor a. Screens likely group members and maintains an alertness of participants needs and goals in relation to the goals of the group. The counselor takes rational precautions to protect members from physical and psychological harm departing from interaction within the group. b. Notifies paren ts/guardians and ply of group participation if the counselor deems it get hold of and if consistent with school carte du jour policy or practice. c.Establishes clear expectations in the group setting and understandably states that confidentiality in group counseling cannot be guaranteed. Given the developmental and chronological ages of minors in schools, the counselor recognizes the tenuous nature of confidentiality for minors renders some topics in allot for group work in a school setting. d. Follows up with group members and documents proceedings as appropriate. A. 7. Danger to Self or Others The professional school counselor a. Informs parents/guardians or appropriate authorities when the students condition indicates a clear and imminent danger to the student or others. This is to be done after careful deliberation and, where possible, after consultation with other counseling professionals. . Will attempt to minimize threat to a student and may choose to 1) inform the student of actions to be taken, 2) require the student in a three-way communication with parents/guardians when breaching confidentiality or 3) lay off the student to have input as to how and to whom the breach will be make. A. 8. Student Records The professional school counselor a. Maintains and secures records necessary for rendering professional services to the student as required by laws, regulations, institutional procedures and confidentiality guidelines. b. Keeps mend-possession records describe from students educational records in keeping with state laws. c.Recognizes the limits of sole-possession records and understands these records are a stock aid for the creator and in absence of privilege communication may be subpoenaed and may become educational records when they 1) are shared with others in verbal or written form, 2) include information other than professional opinion or personal observations and/or 3) are made accessible to others. d. Establishes a reasonable timeline for purging sole-possession records or case notes. Suggested guidelines include shredding sole possession records when the student transitions to the next level, transfers to another school or graduates. diligent discretion and deliberation should be applied before destroying sole-possession records that may be needed by a court of law such as notes on child abuse, suicide, sexual harassment or violence. A. 9. Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation The professional school counselor a.Adheres to all professional standards regarding selecting, administering and interpreting assessment measures and only implements assessment measures that are within the scope of practice for school counselors. b. Seeks specialized training regarding the use of electronically based testing programs in administering, win and interpreting that may differ from that required in more traditional assessments. c. Considers confidentiality issues when utilizing evaluative or assessment instruments and e lectronically based programs. d. Provides interpretation of the nature, purposes, results and potential impact of assessment/evaluation measures in language the student(s) can understand. e.Monitors the use of assessment results and interpretations, and takes reasonable steps to prevent others from misusing the information. f. Uses caution when utilizing assessment techniques, making evaluations and interpreting the performance of populations not represented in the norm group on which an instrument is standardized. g. Assesses the effectiveness of his/her program in having an impact on students academic, career and personal/social development through accountability measures peculiarly examining movements to close achievement, prospect and attainment gaps. A. 10. Technology The professional school counselor a. Promotes the benefits of and clarifies the limitations of various appropriate technological applications.The counselor promotes technological applications (1) that are appro priate for the students individual needs, (2) that the student understands how to use and (3) for which follow-up counseling assistance is provided. b. Advocates for equal access to technology for all students, especially those historically underserved. c. Takes appropriate and reasonable measures for maintaining confidentiality of student information and educational records stored or transmitted over electronic media including although not limited to fax, electronic mail and pulse messaging. d. While working with students on a computer or resembling technology, takes reasonable and appropriate measures to protect students from objectionable and/or harmful online material. e.Who is intermeshed in the delivery of services involving technologies such as the telephone, videoconferencing and the Internet takes responsible steps to protect students and others from harm. A. 11. Student Peer Support Program The professional school counselor Has unique responsibilities when working with student-assistance programs. The school counselor is responsible for the welfare of students participating in peer-to-peer programs under his/her direction. B. Responsibilities to Parents/Guardians B. 1. Parent Rights and Responsibilities The professional school counselor a. Respects the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians for their children and endeavors to establish, as appropriate, a collaborative elationship with parents/guardians to facilitate the students maximum development. b. Adheres to laws, local guidelines and ethical standards of practice when assisting parents/guardians experiencing family difficulties that interfere with the students effectiveness and welfare. c. Respects the confidentiality of parents/guardians. d. Is sensitive to diversity among families and recognizes that all parents/guardians, tutelar and non-custodial, are vested with certain rights and responsibilities for the welfare of their children by virtue of their role and check to law. B. 2. Parents/Guardians and Confidentiality The professional school counselor a.Informs parents/guardians of the counselors role with emphasis on the confidential nature of the counseling relationship between the counselor and student. b. Recognizes that working with minors in a school setting may require counselors to collaborate with students parents/guardians. c. Provides parents/guardians with accurate, comprehensive and relevant information in an mark and caring manner, as is appropriate and consistent with ethical responsibilities to the student. d. Makes reasonable efforts to pay back the wishes of parents/guardians concerning information regarding the student, and in cases of divorce or separation exercises a good-faith effort to keep both parents informed with regard to critical information with the exception of a court order. C.Responsibilities to Colleagues and Professional Associates C. 1. Professional Relationships The professional school counselor a. Establishes and mai ntains professional relationships with faculty, staff and administration to facilitate an optimum counseling program. b. Treats colleagues with professional respect, courtesy, and fairness. The qualifications, views and findings of colleagues are represented to accurately reflect the image of competent professionals. c. Is aware of and utilizes related professionals, organizations, and other resources to whom the student may be referred. C. 2. Sharing cultivation with Other Professionals The professional school counselor a.Promotes awareness and adherence to appropriate guidelines regarding confidentiality, the distinction between public and private information and staff consultation. b. Provides professional personnel with accurate, objective, concise, and meaningful data necessary to adequately evaluate, counsel, and assist the student. c. If a student is receiving services from another counselor or other mental health professional, the counselor, with student and/or parent/guard ian consent, will inform the other professional and develop clear agreements to avoid confusion and contest for the student. d. Is knowledgeable about release of information and parental rights in communion information. D. Responsibilities to the School and community D. 1. Responsibilities to the School The professional school counselor a.Supports and protects the educational program against any infringement not in students vanquish interest. b. Informs appropriate officials in accordance with school policy of conditions that may be potentially disruptive or damaging to the schools mission, personnel and spot while honoring the confidentiality between the student and counselor. c. Is knowledgeable and supportive of the schools mission and connects his/her program to the schools mission. d. Delineates and promotes the counselors role and function in meeting the needs of those served. Counselors will notify appropriate officials of conditions that may limit or curtail their effec tiveness in providing programs and services. e.Accepts employment only for positions for which he/she is qualified by education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials and appropriate professional experience. f. Advocates that administrators hire only qualified and competent individuals for professional counseling positions. g. Assists in developing (1) curricular and environmental conditions appropriate for the school and community, (2) educational procedures and programs to meet students developmental needs, and (3) a systematic evaluation process for comprehensive, developmental, standards-based school counseling programs, services, and personnel. The counselor is manoeuvre by the findings of the evaluation data in planning programs and services. D. 2. Responsibility to the Community The professional school counselor a.Collaborates with agencies, organizations, and individuals in the community in the best interest of students and without reg ard to personal reward or remuneration. b. Extends his/her influence and opportunity to deliver a comprehensive school counseling program to all students by collaborating with community resources for student success. E. Responsibilities to Self E. 1. Professional Competence The professional school counselor a. Functions within the boundaries of individual professional competence and accepts responsibility for the con dates of his/her actions. b. Monitors personal well-being and effectiveness and does not participate in any activity that may lead to inadequate professional services or harm to a student. . Strives through personal initiative to maintain professional competence including technological literacy and to keep abreast of professional information. Professional and personal growth are ongoing throughout the counselors career. E. 2. transmutation The professional school counselor a. Affirms the diversity of students, staff and families. b. Expands and develops awareness of hi s/her own attitudes and beliefs affecting cultural values and biases and strives to attain cultural competence. c. Possesses knowledge and understanding about how oppression, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping affects her/him personally and professionally. d.Acquires educational, consultation, and training experiences to improve awareness, knowledge, skills, and effectiveness in working with diverse populations ethnic/racial status, age, economic status, special needs, ESL or ELL, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity, and appearance. F. Responsibilities to the Profession F. 1. Professionalism The professional school counselor a. Accepts the policies and procedures for handling ethical violations as a result of maintaining membership in the American School Counselor Association. b. Conducts herself/himself in such a manner as to advance individual ethical practice and the profession. c. Conducts ap propriate research and report findings in a manner consistent with acceptable educational and psychological research practices. The counselor advocates for the protection of the individual students identity when using data for research or program planning. d.Adheres to ethical standards of the profession, other official policy statements, such as ASCAs position statements, role statement, and the ASCA National Model, and relevant statutes established by federal, state, and local governments, and when these are in conflict works responsibly for change. e. intelligibly distinguishes between statements and actions made as a private individual and those made as a representative of the school counseling profession. f. Does not use his/her professional position to recruit or gain clients, consultees for his/her private practice, or to seek and receive unjustified personal gains, unfair advantage, inappropriate relationships, or unearned goods or services. F. 2. Contribution to the Profes sion The professional school counselor a. Actively participates in local, state, and national associations fostering the development and improvement of school counseling. b.Contributes to the development of the profession through the sharing of skills, ideas, and expertise with colleagues. c. Provides support and mentoring to tiro professionals. G. Maintenance of Standards Ethical behavior among professional school counselors, association members, and nonmembers, is expected at all times. When there exists serious doubt as to the ethical behavior of colleagues or if counselors are forced to work in situations or abide by policies that do not reflect the standards as describe in these Ethical Standards for School Counselors, the counselor is obligated to take appropriate action to rectify the condition. The following procedure may serve as a guide 1.The counselor should consult confidentially with a professional colleague to discuss the nature of a complaint to see if the professio nal colleague views the situation as an ethical violation. 2. When feasible, the counselor should directly near the colleague whose behavior is in question to discuss the complaint and seek resolution. 3. If resolution is not forthcoming at the personal level, the counselor shall utilize the channels established within the school, school district, the state school counseling association, and ASCAs Ethics Committee. 4. If the matter still remains unresolved, referral for review and appropriate action should be made to the Ethics Committees in the following sequence * state school counselor association American School Counselor Association 5. The ASCA Ethics Committee is responsible for * educating and consulting with the membership regarding ethical standards * periodically reviewing and recommending changes in code * receiving and processing questions to clarify the application of such standards questions must(prenominal) be submitted in writing to the ASCA Ethics chair.