1. (a)

   1. (1) The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board sets forth this documentation as a Code of Ethics/Standards for Practice for all social workers within the State of Arkansas pursuant to Arkansas Code § 17-103-203.
   2. (2) Social workers licensed by the board must observe and comply with the following standards.
   3. (3) Violations shall be grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to Arkansas Code § 17-103-305.

2. (b) Standard A: Confidentiality.

   1. (1) In providing services, a social worker must safeguard information given by clients.
   2. (2) Except when required by law or judicial order or for the purpose of professional supervision and/or consultation, a social worker must obtain the client’s informed written consent before releasing confidential information.
3. (c) Standard B: Responsibility. A social worker must provide a clear written description of what the client may expect in regards to services, reports, fees, billing, and schedules, when applicable.

4. (d) Standard C: Research.

   1. (1) A social worker must obtain the client’s or legal guardian’s informed written consent when a client is to be involved in any research project.

   2. (2) A social worker must explain the:

      1. (A) Research, including any risk or potential consequences; and
      2. (B) Subject’s right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. (e) Standard D: Misrepresentation.

   1. (1) A social worker must not misrepresent his or her:

      1. (A) Qualifications;
      2. (B) Training;
      3. (C) Experience; or
      4. (D) Professional affiliations.
   2. (2) If a social worker engages in advertising, his or her education, training, and expertise must be presented factually.

6. (f) Standard E: Competence.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) A social worker may not practice beyond his or her competence.
      2. (B) A social worker must make appropriate and timely referrals when the client’s needs exceed the social worker’s competency level.
   2. (2) A social worker must not provide social work services while under the influence of alcohol, other mind-altering or mood-altering drugs, or physical or psychological illness, which impairs delivery of such services.

7. (g) Standard F: Fee splitting.

   1. (1) A social worker must not divide a fee with a referral source.
   2. (2) A social worker must not accept the division of a fee as compensation for a referral.
   3. (3) This provision is intended to ensure that referrals are always based solely on the best interest of the client.

8. (h) Standard G: Client relationships.

   1. (1) Relationships with clients, former clients, students, and supervisees must not be exploited by the social worker for personal gain.

   2. (2) A social worker must not violate such positions of trust and dependency by committing any act detrimental to a:

      1. (A) Client;
      2. (B) Former client;
      3. (C) Student; or
      4. (D) Supervisee.
   3. (3) A social worker must not engage in an inappropriate relationship and/or sexual activity with a client or with a former client within two (2) years after termination of the professional relationship.

   4. (4) Dual relationships.

      1. (A)
9. (i) In many communities it may not be possible for social workers to avoid social or other nonprofessional contacts with:
10. (a) (a) Clients;
11. (b) (b) Students; or

12. (c) (c) Supervisees.

    1. (ii) A social worker must always be sensitive to the potential harmful effects of social or nonprofessional contacts on his or her work and on those persons with whom they interact.

       1. (iii) A social worker must refrain from either entering into or promising a relationship with such persons if it appears the relationship might impair the social worker's:
13. (a) (a) Objectivity; or

14. (b) (b) Ability to effectively perform social work functions.

    1. (iv) A social worker must also refrain from either entering into or promising a relationship with such persons if it appears that the relationship might harm or exploit the other party.

       1. (B) Likewise, whenever possible, a social worker must refrain from taking on professional obligations when preexisting relationships would create a risk of such harm.
       2. (C) If a social worker finds that, due to unforeseen factors, a potentially harmful dual relationship has arisen, the social worker must attempt to resolve it with due regard for the best interest of the affected person and maximum compliance with the Code of Ethics.

    2. (5) A social worker must not violate client–therapist boundaries.

       1. (i) Standard H: Records.
    3. (1) A social worker will create and maintain records of services provided to a client.

    4. (2) At a minimum, the records will contain:

       1. (A) A consent form signed and dated by the client;
       2. (B) Documentation of the assessment or diagnosis;
       3. (C) Documentation of a plan;
       4. (D) Documentation of any revision of the assessment or diagnosis or of a plan;
       5. (E) Any fees charged and other billing information;
       6. (F) Copies of all client authorization for release of information; and
       7. (G) Any legal forms pertaining to the client.

    5. (3) The records will be maintained by the licensee or agency employing the licensee at least for:

       1. (A) A period of seven (7) years after the last date of service; or
       2. (B) The time period required by federal or state law, if longer.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “(Ark. Code Ann. §17-103-203)”