Activity Time: 3 Hours Directions: You are working with a client, Curt, who expe

Activity Time: 3 Hours Directions: You are working with a client, Curt, who experiences severe and persistent mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Curt’s mannerisms change greatly from one day to the next. Sometimes he functions highly and is able to maintain a part-time job in the community. At other times, he has strong delusions that tell him not to trust anyone, leading him to isolate and avoid all contact with others. Curt’s family feels that he should be living in a more structured environment, however Curt insists that he will not move from his apartment. You aren’t really sure what you think. In your time working together; the focus has been on identifying and practicing coping strategies that will be effective for Curt to use independently. Initial post: In your initial post, share why documentation of your time spent with Curt each week is critical. What kind of information should you be sure to include after each visit? What, if any, information should be avoided? What would either of the Codes of Ethics (NOHS or NASW) offer in terms of guidance? Reply post: Comment on the post of a peer. Provide additional guidance or feedback regarding the importance of documentation following client visits. Share how your peer’s feedback influenced your own thoughts or opinions. REPLY BACK TO ANOTHER STUDENTS POST: NASW 1.08 Client Access to Records a) Social workers should provide clients with reasonable access to records concerning the client. Social workers who are concerned that clients’ access to their records could cause serious misunderstanding or harm to the client should provide assistance in interpreting the records and consultation with the client regarding the records. Social workers should limit clients’ access to their records, or portions of their records, only in exceptional circumstances when there is compelling evidence that such access would cause serious harm to the client. Both clients’ requests and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be documented in clients’ files. Reviewing this standard, I still think it is important to document everything in Curt’s records. If it is not documented, it didn’t happen. You never know the way a social services case will go, especially with SPMI clients. There are a large number of things that can go well and a bunch that will not go well. It is important that all information documented is as factual as possible. However, it is important to note that, in the event Curt would ever ask for his records, to consider his diagnosis, as well as his ability to handle information that may seem critical of him. While we have a duty to keep the client records, we also have a duty to keep the client’s records accurate and restrict in cases that would do more harm than good. In this case, providing Curt a summary might be the most appropriate way to handle a request for records directly from Curt. Things that should be documented are factual information. All interactions should be documented. If possible, direct quotes, emails, and text messages should be included. We should be documenting what the purpose of the interaction was, how and where the interaction took place, and if it was related to the goals as outlined in the case or support plan. References NASW Staff. (n.d.). Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients. National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-Clients