Ethics Consultation
Ethics Consultations
The NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee (CEC) provides individual ethics consultations as a benefit of NASW membership. Ethics consultations are a resource for members who encounter ethical dilemmas and/or have ethics-related questions.
Consultation services are intended to guide members through the applicable standards in the NASW Code of Ethics along with other pertinent considerations and resources that address their concerns and allows them to make reasoned, ethical decisions. While we can discuss ethical issues, we cannot provide definitive answers for a particular situation or make decisions for members.
Ethics consultation telephone calls are answered on a first come, first served basis. Please leave a brief message clearly stating your name and contact number, and a member of the CEC we will return your call. Due to the high call volume, allow 48 hours for a return call.
To contact the NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee, call 312.435.2100, and select option 5.
File a Complaint Against an NASW Member
The NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee (CEC) considers complaints of alleged violations of the NASW Code of Ethics, an employer's personnel standards, or the right of social workers to professional action on behalf of clients. The NASW Code of Ethics applies only to NASW members. If you believe a social work member of NASW is in violation of the NASW Code of Ethics, one of your options is to file a complaint with NASW (see NASW Procedures for Professional Review ).
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Contact national NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review, 800.638.8799, ext. 256, for instructions, OR
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Contact the NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee at 312.435.2100, option 6, OR
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Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). If the individual is not a member, contact IDFPR directly as NASW does not have grounds to consider the actions of a nonmember.
The NASW Code of Ethics is a set of standards that guide the professional conduct of social workers. The 2021 update includes language that addresses the importance of professional self-care. Moreover, revisions to Cultural Competence standard provide more explicit guidance to social workers. All social workers should review the new text and affirm their commitment to abide by the Code of Ethics. Also available in Spanish.