Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3, March 20, 2024
A.
Assessment or Diagnosis. A social worker shall base services on an assessment
or diagnosis. A social worker shall evaluate on an ongoing basis whether the
assessment or diagnosis needs to be revised.
B. Assessment or Diagnostic Instruments. A
social worker shall take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate
explanations of results are given. A social worker shall ensure that an
explanation of the results is provided using language that is reasonably
understandable to the person assessed or to another legally authorized person
on behalf of the client.
C. Plan. A
social worker shall develop a plan for services which includes goals based on
the assessment or diagnosis. A social worker shall evaluate on an ongoing basis
whether the plan needs to be revised.
D. Mandatory Reporting. All levels of social
workers are required to report in conformity with all child or elder abuse
Louisiana and federal laws.
E.
Supervision or Consultation. A social worker shall obtain supervision or engage
in consultation when necessary to serve the best interests of a
client.
F. Informed Consent
1. Social workers shall provide services to
clients only in the context of a professional relationship with valid informed
consent. Social workers should use clear and understandable language to inform
clients of the plan for services, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, the
client's right to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the
consent. Social workers shall provide clients with an opportunity to ask
questions.
2. If the client does
not have the capacity to provide consent, the social worker shall obtain
consent for the services from the client's legal guardian or other authorized
representative.
3. If the client,
the legal guardian, or other authorized representative does not consent, the
social worker shall at the earliest opportunity discuss with the client that a
referral to other resources may be in the client's best interests.
G. Records
1. A social worker shall make and maintain
records, written or electronic, of services provided to a client. At a minimum,
the records shall contain documentation of the assessment or diagnosis;
documentation of a plan, documentation of any revision of the assessment or
diagnosis or of the plan; any fees charged and other billing information;
copies of all client authorization for release of information and any other
legal forms pertaining to the client. These records shall be maintained by the
social worker or agency employing the social worker at least for a period of
six years after the last date of service, or for the time period required by
federal or state law, if longer. In regards to a minor client, records must be
kept six years after client reaches majority.
2. A social worker shall not represent by
signature or any other means the extent of his/her participation in the
provision of services (such as psychosocial evaluation, assessment, diagnosis,
treatment plan, progress note or report) unless the social worker has
formulated the psychosocial evaluation, assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan,
progress note or report through direct contact with the client who provided the
information included in the record.
3. A social worker shall not conspire or
collude with another person or entity to misrepresent by signature or any other
means the extent of his/her participation in the social worker's provision of
services.
4. Social work students
in field placement are specifically allowed to provide services under
supervision. Social work supervisors who do cosign records shall indicate
his/her supervisory function.
5. A
social worker shall accurately complete and submit reports, assessments,
evaluations, forms or similar documentation in a timely manner. This includes
all forms requested by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work
Examiners.
6. Social workers shall
not retain copies of client records after separation from an agency or employer
without written agency/employer's consent.
7. A social worker shall not access records
of a client they are not treating without legitimate purpose.
H. Termination of
Services
1. A social worker shall terminate a
professional relationship with a client when the client is not likely to
benefit from continued services or the services are no longer needed.
2. A social worker has an affirmative duty to
take reasonable steps to avoid under-treatment and/or precipitous termination
of a client.
3. A social worker who
anticipates the termination of services shall give reasonable notice to the
client. A social worker shall take reasonable steps to inform the client of the
termination of the professional relationship. A social worker shall provide
referrals as needed and/or upon the request of the client. A social worker
shall not terminate a professional relationship for the purpose of beginning a
personal or business relationship with a client.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
37:2705(C).
