Introduction
Social work is a profession that addresses social disparities.
Social workers occasionally interact with individuals in the community.
Thus, they abide by regulations that allow them to offer high quality assistance.
A Brief History of Social Work in Georgia
Social work emerged during the early 19th century in the US.
Initially, social workers took the initiative to provide care to marginalized individuals.
Its regulation was due to social, cultural, economic, historical, and environmental factors during the 20th century.
The licensing of social workers was meant to offset racial and cultural inequalities.
Historical and environmental factors also encouraged standardization.
Subsequently, licensing laws were created to guide the practice and maximize on initiatives.
Over time, social work differentiated to address other human concerns like mental health and child welfare.
In Georgia, the first department dealing with social work and associated issues was established in 1972.
The Definition of Social Work According to Georgia State Laws
Social work is a specialty based on activities aimed at promoting the development and integration of socially vulnerable groups into society.
A social worker is any person who professionally engages in the social work practice.
Mental Health Practice in Social Work
Mental health practice is a technique that adopts psychotherapy to address and manage individuals’ emotional or mental conditions.
Mental health practitioners are obligated to adhere to Georgia’s social work laws.
Social Work Licensing and Certification Laws in Georgia
Social workers in Georgia must attain a specific level of education or training.
They should also licensing to identify them as certified social workers.
However, individuals can either become a Master’s Social Worker or a Clinical Social Worker.
Mandatory Reporting Laws in Georgia
Social workers in Georgia are among professionals classified as mandated reporters.
Georgia requires mandated reporters to report cases and associated issues within 24 hours after the abuse has occurred or after the identification of mistreatment.
Lately, authorities demand a report as soon as an individual has reasonable cause to suspect abuse.
Regulations Regarding Involuntary Commitment in Georgia
Georgia authorizes the involuntary treatment of people deemed to be suffering from severe mental illness or drug addiction.
To enroll an individual into voluntary treatment, two signatories must raise a petition in court (Popple, 2018).
These individuals must report the unusual behaviors within 48 hours.
The Duty to Warn and Duty to Protect in Georgia
Duty to warn and a duty to protect are concepts with notable ethical consequences for social workers.
In Georgia, there are no specified statutory laws to reinforce the duty to warn and the duty to protect.
The administrative rules allow medical practitioners to share confidential patient information with potential victims.
Duty to Warn and Duty to Protect Examples
During a meeting with a client, they could confess that they want to kill one of their colleagues at work without mentioning anyone. However, if a practitioner does not take any action, they are not liable for outcomes in Georgia.
Subsequently, an individual can mention that they fantasize about mass shootings. Although a social worker is not required by law to report the issue, they are obligated to act by their standards of practice.
References
Coleman, K. (2021). The American Revolution in Georgia, 1763–1789. University of Georgia Press.
Germain, C., & Knight, C. (2021). The life model of social work practice. In The Life Model of Social Work Practice. Columbia University Press.
Goldberg, E. M., & Warburton, R. W. (2021). Ends and Means in Social Work: the development and outcome of a case review system for social workers. Routledge.
Popple, P. R. (2018). Social work practice and social welfare policy in the United States: A history. Oxford University Press.