Ethical Standards for School Counselors

respectable Standards for drill exponents were adopted by the ASCA Delegate Assembly, litigate 19,1984, revised March 27, 1992, June 25, 1998, and June 26, 2004. Preamble The American give lessons Counselor Association (ASCA) is a victor organization whose members be certified/licensed in instruct advocate with fantastic qualifications and skills to address the academic, ad hominem/ mixer and career jumpment involve of tot completelyy bookmans. paid educate counsellors are advocates, track downers, collaborators and consultants who create opportunities for equity in gravel and success in educational opportunities by connecting their designs to the mission of informs and subscribing to the fol secondarying tenets of victor responsibility * Each person has the effective to be respected, be hardened with dignity and celebrate back overture to a complete instill instruction program that advocates for and affirms all disciples from diverse populations regard less of ethnic/racial status, age, sparing status, special indispensablenesss, English as a second language or other(a) language group, immigration status, familiar orientation, gender, gender personal identity element/expression, family type, unearthly/spiritual identity and appearance.* Each person has the refine to receive the entropy and support needed to move toward self-direction and self-development and affirmation at bottom wizards group identities, with special care being given to scholarly persons who have historically non received adequate educational operate learners of color, low socio-economic students, students with disabilities and students with * Each person has the right to understand the full magnitude and implication of his/her educational choices and how those choices will affect future opportunities. Each person has the right to privacy and thereby the right to expect the exponent-student relationship to comply with all laws, policies and hon est standards pertaining to confidentiality in the take setting. In this document, ASCA specifies the principles of ethical bearing requirement to maintain the spunky standards of impartiality, leadership and maestroism among its members.The Ethical Standards for School Counselors were developed to piddle the disposition of ethical responsibilities held in common by civilize focussing professionals. The purposes of this document are to * Serve as a guide for the ethical practices of all professional school directions regardless of level, area, opulation served or membership in this professional association * Provide self-appraisal and peer ratings regarding counsel responsibilities to students, parents/guardians, colleagues and professional associates, schools, communities and the pleader profession and * Inform those served by the school guidance of acceptable counselling practices and expected professional behavior.A. Responsibilities to disciples A. 1. Responsib ilities to Students The professional school exponent a. Has a primal obligation to the student, who is to be treated with respect as a quaint indivithreefold. b. Is concerned with the educational, academic, career, individualized and social unavoidably and encourages the maximum development of some(prenominal) student. c. regard the students value and beliefs and does not impose the counselors personal values. d. Is knowledgeable of laws, regulations and policies relating to students and strives to shelter and inform students regarding their rights. A. 2. Confidentiality The professional school counselor a.Informs students of the purposes, goals, techniques and rules of procedure under which they may receive discuss at or before the time when the counseling relationship is entered. Disclosure mark includes the situates of confidentiality such as the possible necessity for consulting with other professionals, privileged communication, and heavy or authoritative restraint s. The meaning and limits of confidentiality are defined in developmentally curb terms to students. b. Keeps education confidential unless disclosure is required to hold on give the axe and imminent danger to the student or others or when effectual requirements demand that confidential knowledge be revealed. Counselors will consult with suppress professionals when in doubt as to the validity of an exception. c.In absence of state law expressly forbidding disclosure, considers the ethical responsibility to provide information to an identify third party who, by his/her relationship with the student, is at a high risk of contracting a disease that is commonly known to be communicable and fatal. Disclosure requires satisfaction of all of the followers conditions * Student identifies spouse or the partner is highly identifiable * Counselor recommends the student counsel partner and refrain from further high-risk behavior * Student refuses * Counselor informs the student of the intent to notify the partner * Counselor seeks legal citation as to the legalities of informing the partner d.Requests of the court that disclosure not be required when the going away of confidential information may potentially aggrieve a student or the counseling relationship. e. Protects the confidentiality of students records and releases personal information in accordance with prescribed laws and school policies. Student information stored and transmitted electronically is treated with the same care as traditional student records. f. Protects the confidentiality of information received in the counseling relationship as specified by federal and state laws, create verbally policies and applicable ethical standards. such(prenominal) information is only to be revealed to others with the advised consent of the student, consistent with the counselors ethical obligation. g.Recognizes his/her primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balances that obligation wi th an disposition of the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their childrens lives. A. 3. Counseling Plans The professional school counselor a. Provides students with a omnibus(prenominal) school counseling program that includes a strong emphasis on operative jointly with all students to develop academic and career goals. b. Advocates for counseling plans bread and butter students right to lead from the wide array 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 bivalent relationships that might impair his/her objectivity and increase the risk of harm to the student (e. g. , counseling ones family members, close friends or associates). If a dual relationship is unavoidable, the counselor is responsible for taking action to eliminate or reduce the pot ential for harm. Such safeguards might include informed consent, consultation, surveillance 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 necessity or appropriate to outside resources.Appropriate referrals may necessitate informing both parents/guardians and students of applicable resources and making proper plans for transitions with minimal interruption of services. Students retain the right to discontinue the counseling relationship at any time. A. 6. Group guide The professional school counselor a. Screens prospective group members and maintains an awareness of participants needs and goals in relation to the goals of the group. The counselor takes reasonable precautions to protect members from physical and psychological harm resulting from interaction inwardly the group. b. Notifies parents/gua rdians and staff of group participation if the counselor deems it appropriate and if consistent with school board policy or practice. c.Establishes clear expectations in the group setting and clearly states that confidentiality in group counseling cannot be guaranteed. Given the developmental and chronological ages of minors in schools, the counselor recognizes the tenuous reputation of confidentiality for minors renders some topics inappropriate for group employ 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(prenominal) careful deliberation and, where possible, after consultation with other counseling professionals. . provide attempt to minimize threat to a student and may choose to 1) inform the student of actions to be taken, 2) involve the student in a three-way communication with parents/guardians when breaching confidentiality or 3) allow the student to have stimulation 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 sole-possession records separate from students educational records in care with state laws. c.Recognizes the limits of sole-possession records and understands these records are a memory aid for the creator and in absence of privilege communication may be subpoenaed and may snuff it 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 cleansing sole-possession records or case notes. Suggested guidelines include shredding sole possession records when the student transitions to the near level, transfers to another(prenominal) school or graduates. Careful 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 discernment measures and only utilizes assessment measures that are within the scope of practice for school counselors. b. Seeks specialized tuition regarding the use of electronically based testing programs in administering, scoring and interpreting that may resist from that required in more traditional assessments. c. Considers confidentiality issues when utilizing evaluative or ass essment instruments and electronically 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 go 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 potentiality of his/her program in having an impact on students academic, career and personal/social development done accountability measures especially examining efforts to close achievement, opportunity and development gaps. A. 10. Technology The professional school counselor a. Promotes the benefits of and clarifies the limitations of various appropriate scientific applications.The counselor promotes technological applications (1) that are appropriate for the students soulfulness 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 instant messaging. d. While working with students on a computer or similar technology, takes reasonable and appropriate measures to protect students from objectionable and/or harmful online material. e.Who is engaged 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 offbeat 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 anesthetic guidelines and ethical standards of practice when assisting parents/guardians experiencing family difficulties that interfere with the students military strength and welfare. c. Respects the confidentiality of parents/guardians. d. Is sensitive to diversity among families and recognizes that all parents/guardians, custodial and non-custodial, are vested with certain rights and responsibilities for the welfare of their children by virtue of t heir employment and according 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 amid 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 objective and caring manner, as is appropriate and consistent with ethical responsibilities to the student. d. Makes reasonable efforts to honor the wishes of parents/guardians concerning information regarding the student, and in cases of separate 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 profession al school counselor a. Establishes and maintains professional relationships with faculty, staff and governing 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 Information with Other Professionals The professional school counselor a.Promotes awareness and adherence to appropriate guidelines regarding confidentiality, the distinction between open and private information and staff consultation. b. Provides professional personnel with accurate, objective, concise, and meaningful information 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/guardian consent, will inform the other professional and develop clear agreements to avoid confusion and conflict for the student. d. Is knowledgeable about release of information and parental rights in sharing 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 trespass not in students best interest. b. Informs appropriate officials in accordance with school policy of conditions that may be potentially disruptive or prejudicious to the schools mission, personnel and property 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 conditio ns that may limit or curtail their effectiveness 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 credential 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 bear on for comprehensive, developmental, standards-based school counseling programs, services, and personnel. The counselor is guided 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 bes t interest of students and without regard 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 consequences 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 finished 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. Diversity The professional school counselor a. Affirms the diversity of students, staff and families. b . Expands and develops awareness of his/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 prac tice and the profession. c. Conducts appropriate research and cogitation 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. Clearly distinguishes between statements and actions made as a private individual and those made as a spokesperson of the school counseling profession. f. Does not use his/her professional position to infix or gain clients, consultees for his/her private practice, or to seek and receive indefensible personal gains, unfair advantage, inappropriate relationships, or unearned goods or servi ces. F. 2. division to the Profession 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 novice 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 outlined 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 professional colleague views the situation as an ethical violation. 2. When feasible, the counselor should directly approach the colleague whose behavior is in question to discuss the complaint and seek resolution. 3. If resolution is not extrospective at the personal level, the counselor shall utilize the channels established within the school, school district, the state school counseling association, and ASCAs Ethics delegacy. 4. If the question 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 treat questions to clarify the application of such standards questions must be submitted in write to the ASC A Ethics chair.