NAPE says social workers unfairly criticized by media

Confidentiality restrictions prevent response to unfair attacks

St. John's (24 June 2008) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) says social workers are being unfairly criticized in the provincial media.

NAPE president Carol Furlong says confidentiality restrictions make it impossible for social workers to defend themselves against the attacks.

"Social workers are governed by strict legislative and employer policies when dealing with sensitive issues such as the removal of children from their family homes," she notes.

"Contrary to the image currently being projected in the media, social workers cannot act unilaterally in such matters. They are members of a larger team that includes management, legal professionals and the court system," she adds.

“Social work is a profession based on accountability and liability with little, if any, margin for error, and social workers, by the very nature of their jobs, are often faced with critical situations which create an extremely stressful environment for all parties. The general public does not always realize the full scope of the legal and ethical standards under which social workers operate. Social workers are bound by confidentiality and are not in a position to defend their actions when comments are made publicly.”

NAPE is calling on the province’s health authorities to present the public with an accurate picture of the guidelines governing social workers in matters pertaining to child protection. NUPGE