
French Social Work: Professional Secrets & Case Studies
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.En tant que futurs travailleurs sociaux en France, comment pouvons-nous naviguer les complexités du secret professionnel pour assurer à la fois la protection de nos clients et le respect de la loi, tout en maintenant notre positionnement éthique?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- Quelles sont les sources et les limites du secret professionnel pour les travailleurs sociaux en France?
- Comment le secret professionnel influence-t-il la relation entre le travailleur social et son client?
- Quels sont les dilemmes éthiques courants rencontrés par les travailleurs sociaux en France concernant le secret professionnel?
- Comment le positionnement du travailleur social influence-t-il l'application du secret professionnel dans différents contextes?
- Comment la loi française protège-t-elle et encadre-t-elle le secret professionnel des travailleurs sociaux?
- De quelle manière les études de cas peuvent-elles aider à comprendre l'application du secret professionnel en pratique?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- The student will be able to apply the rules of professional secrecy of the social worker to simple professional situations in France.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Anonymous Letter
A mysterious letter arrives for each student, supposedly from a social worker facing an ethical dilemma regarding professional secrecy. The letter outlines a challenging case without revealing all the details, prompting students to investigate the situation and advise the social worker.The Mock Trial
A mock trial is staged where students play different roles (social worker, client, judge, lawyer) in a case involving a breach of professional secrecy. This interactive event allows students to explore the legal and ethical implications of the concept in a dynamic and engaging way.The Guest Speaker
An experienced social worker (either in person or via video conference) presents a real-life case study where they had to navigate the complexities of professional secrecy. Students can ask questions and discuss the challenges and trade-offs involved in protecting client confidentiality while upholding legal obligations.The Case Study Challenge
Students are presented with a series of anonymized case vignettes, each posing a different ethical challenge related to professional secrecy. Working in small groups, they must analyze each case and propose a course of action, justifying their decisions with reference to relevant legal and ethical principles.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Decoding 'Secret Professionnel'
Students begin by defining professional secrecy and its importance in social work. They will then identify the key principles that underpin it, such as confidentiality, trust, and respect for the client's rights.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written definition of professional secrecy and a list of its key principles with brief explanations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsApplies to understanding the basic principles of professional secrecy and their application in straightforward scenarios.The Legal Maze: Boundaries and Breaches
Students explore the legal framework surrounding professional secrecy in France, identifying the laws and regulations that protect and define it. They will learn about the boundaries of this secrecy, including exceptions where disclosure is legally mandated or permitted.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA summary of the relevant French laws and regulations concerning 'secret professionnel', along with a chart outlining situations where the law permits or requires disclosure.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorresponds to applying legal knowledge to practical situations and understanding the boundaries of professional secrecy.Ethics Under Seal: The Social Worker's Oath
Students analyze the ethical considerations involved in maintaining professional secrecy. They will discuss the importance of the social worker's position in upholding client confidentiality and the potential consequences of breaching it.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short essay discussing the ethical considerations of 'secret professionnel' and the social worker's role in maintaining it, including a reflection on the potential impacts of breaches.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on ethical decision-making and understanding the social worker's role in upholding professional secrecy.Case Crackers: Solving Secrecy Dilemmas
Students examine case studies that present ethical dilemmas related to professional secrecy. Working in groups, they will analyze the situations, identify the relevant legal and ethical considerations, and propose solutions that respect both the client's rights and the social worker's obligations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed analysis of selected case studies, including a summary of the facts, identification of the ethical and legal issues, and a proposed course of action with justification.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the application of professional secrecy in real-world contexts through case study analysis.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioRubric for 'Secret Professionnel' in French Social Work
Understanding Core Principles
This category assesses the student's understanding of the basic principles underpinning 'secret professionnel' in French social work.Definition of 'Secret Professionnel'
The definition clearly and accurately explains the concept of 'secret professionnel' in the context of French social work.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated and nuanced definition of 'secret professionnel,' demonstrating a deep understanding of its complexities within the French social work context. The definition integrates legal, ethical, and practical considerations seamlessly.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and accurate definition of 'secret professionnel' in the context of French social work, showing a solid understanding of the concept.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic definition of 'secret professionnel,' but it may lack clarity or accuracy in the context of French social work. Shows a limited understanding of the concept.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides an incomplete or inaccurate definition of 'secret professionnel,' demonstrating a minimal understanding of the concept in the context of French social work.
Explanation of Core Principles
The list and explanations of core principles demonstrate a thorough understanding of the foundations of 'secret professionnel'.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and explains all core principles of 'secret professionnel' with exceptional clarity and insight, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of their interconnectedness and practical implications. The explanations are nuanced and insightful.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and explains most of the core principles of 'secret professionnel' accurately, demonstrating a good understanding of their importance.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some of the core principles of 'secret professionnel,' but the explanations may be incomplete or lack clarity. Shows a basic understanding of the principles.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and explain the core principles of 'secret professionnel,' demonstrating a limited understanding of their importance.
Legal Framework
This category evaluates the student's knowledge and application of the legal framework surrounding 'secret professionnel' in France.Summary of Laws and Regulations
The summary accurately identifies and describes the relevant French laws and regulations related to 'secret professionnel'.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an exceptionally thorough and precise summary of the relevant French laws and regulations, demonstrating an advanced understanding of their legal context and implications.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and accurate summary of the relevant French laws and regulations related to 'secret professionnel'.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic summary of the relevant French laws and regulations, but it may lack detail or accuracy. Shows a limited understanding of the legal framework.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides an incomplete or inaccurate summary of the relevant French laws and regulations, demonstrating a minimal understanding of the legal framework.
Chart of Exceptions to 'Secret Professionnel'
The chart accurately details the exceptions to 'secret professionnel,' including when disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a comprehensive and exceptionally clear chart detailing all exceptions to 'secret professionnel,' demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the legal obligations and ethical considerations involved in each situation.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a chart that accurately details the exceptions to 'secret professionnel,' including situations where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a chart that identifies some exceptions to 'secret professionnel,' but it may be incomplete or lack detail. Shows a basic understanding of the boundaries of confidentiality.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a chart that accurately details the exceptions to 'secret professionnel,' demonstrating a limited understanding of the boundaries of confidentiality.
Ethical Considerations
This category assesses the student's ethical reasoning and understanding of the social worker's responsibilities related to 'secret professionnel'.Discussion of Ethical Implications
The essay effectively discusses the ethical implications of maintaining or breaching 'secret professionnel'.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents an exceptionally insightful and nuanced discussion of the ethical implications, demonstrating a profound understanding of the moral complexities and potential consequences of both maintaining and breaching 'secret professionnel'.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively discusses the ethical implications of maintaining or breaching 'secret professionnel', demonstrating a good understanding of the ethical considerations.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic discussion of the ethical implications, but it may lack depth or nuance. Shows a limited understanding of the ethical considerations.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial or incomplete discussion of the ethical implications, demonstrating a minimal understanding of the ethical considerations.
Reflection on Social Worker's Role
The essay provides a thoughtful reflection on the social worker's role in upholding 'secret professionnel' and the potential consequences of its violation.
Exemplary
4 PointsOffers an exceptionally profound and insightful reflection on the social worker's role, demonstrating a deep personal understanding of the responsibilities and potential impacts involved in upholding or violating 'secret professionnel'.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thoughtful reflection on the social worker's role in upholding 'secret professionnel' and the potential consequences of its violation.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic reflection on the social worker's role, but it may lack depth or personal insight. Shows a limited understanding of the responsibilities and potential consequences.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial or incomplete reflection on the social worker's role, demonstrating a minimal understanding of the responsibilities and potential consequences.
Case Study Analysis
This category evaluates the student's ability to apply their knowledge of 'secret professionnel' to real-world scenarios and to make sound ethical decisions.Identification of Legal and Ethical Issues
The analysis accurately identifies the legal and ethical issues presented in the case studies.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates an exceptional ability to identify and analyze the legal and ethical issues in the case studies, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the complexities involved.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies the legal and ethical issues presented in the case studies.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some of the legal and ethical issues, but the analysis may be incomplete or lack clarity. Shows a basic understanding of the issues.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify the legal and ethical issues presented in the case studies, demonstrating a limited understanding of the complexities involved.
Justification of Proposed Course of Action
The proposed course of action is well-justified with reference to relevant legal and ethical principles.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposes a course of action that is exceptionally well-justified, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the relevant legal and ethical principles and their application to the specific circumstances of the case studies. The justification is comprehensive and persuasive.
Proficient
3 PointsProposes a course of action that is well-justified with reference to relevant legal and ethical principles.
Developing
2 PointsProposes a course of action, but the justification may be incomplete or lack clarity. Shows a basic understanding of the relevant principles.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to propose a course of action that is well-justified, demonstrating a limited understanding of the relevant legal and ethical principles.