Social workers, as licensed professionals, must adhere to high ethical standards. Breaching these ethical obligations can lead to the loss of professional licensure. Therefore, all Illinois social workers should understand what behaviors constitute unprofessional or unethical conduct.
What Laws Regulate Social Workers in Illinois?
Illinois’ Administrative Code outlines the procedures and regulations guiding professional licensure decisions, including the specific conduct expected from licensees. For social workers, this conduct is detailed in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Engaging in “unprofessional conduct” can result in the suspension, revocation, or probation of a social worker’s license, along with other disciplinary actions.
What Behavior Constitutes “Unprofessional Conduct”?
“Unprofessional conduct” involves actions that threaten public health, safety, and welfare. This can include behavior that impairs a professional’s ability to practice or violates regulatory provisions. For social workers, unprofessional conduct may include:
- Abandoning a client without cause;
- Filing a false record or report about a licensee’s clients or practice;
- Discriminating against certain clients;
- Failing to report instances of suspected child abuse; and
- Attempting to use your position to aid anyone engaged in criminal abuse of a child.
What Are the Consequences of “Unprofessional Conduct”?
A licensed social worker may face disciplinary action if he or she is “engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public as defined by the rules of the Department, or violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.”
While there are many ways that a social worker could engage in unprofessional conduct, a few specific examples are listed in the Code. Some examples listed in the code include:
- Misrepresenting your qualifications or credentials when applying for a license;
- Working with a client under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Performing services incompetently; and
- Performing services with an expired license.
Public disciplinary records indicate that many social workers violate important regulations by practicing without a valid license. A lapsed or invalid license, regardless of the reason, can lead to legal claims and disciplinary actions from IDFPR.
Do Confidentiality Breaches Constitute “Unprofessional Conduct”?
Social workers must pay special attention to conduct related to client confidentiality. The frequent use of social media has led some social workers to cross professional boundaries by complaining or joking about clients online. Disclosing a client’s confidential information, even unintentionally, can result in disciplinary action by IDFPR or legal consequences.
Can a Social Worker Fight an “Unprofessional Conduct” Allegation?
If you are facing a complaint or administrative action, it is crucial to retain an experienced attorney who can represent you and help demonstrate your professionalism to your employer and clients. If you have been accused of unprofessional conduct or have questions about IDFPR’s regulations, contact us today at (312) 779-1818 or fill out our online contact form for assistance. Your professional license is too important to risk handling alone
