Managing Social Service Staff for Excellence: Five Keys to Exceptional Supervision

by Nancy Summers
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

C
APPENDIX

Differences between a
Professional Relationship
and a Friendship

See the following page for a Handout detailing the differences between friends and
professional colleagues.

191
192 Appendix C

Professional Relationship Friendship

The professional puts the consumer first. Each friend gives support to the other.

The professional does not engage in discussions with the Friends confide in each other equally and
consumer about the professional’s personal problems. discuss each other’s personal problems.

The professional does not invite the consumer to his Friends can go to each other’s home.
or her home.

The professional does not accept gifts from the Friends can accept gifts from one
consumer. another.

The professional does not give gifts to the consumer. Friends do give one another gifts.

The professional does not invite the consumer to Friends invite one another to special
parties at his or her house. occasions at one or the other’s home.

The professional does not lend money to the consumer. Friends can lend money to one another.

The professional does not cosign loans for the Friends might cosign loans for one
consumer. another.

The professional does not argue with the consumer Friends can argue with one another
about the consumer’s values. about subjects on which they disagree.

The professional does not call the consumer to chat. Friends can call one another to chat.

The professional keeps professional progress notes on Friends do not keep notes on one
the client in a chart. another or if they do they may write
about one another in their diaries.

The professional meets with the consumer during the Friends can see each other any time.
time the agency is open and providing services.

The professional does not borrow clothes or anything Friends can freely borrow from each
else from the consumer. other.

The professional creates or follows a goal plan Friends do not have formal goal plans
created with the consumer. for each other.

The professional is sought by the consumer because Friends seek each other because they
the professional has a specific expertise. like each other.

The professional does not date the consumer or have Friends can date and be intimate.
intimate relations with the consumer.

The professional takes responsibility for the care of Friends do not assume formal
the consumer. responsibility for each other’s care
except under extreme circumstances.

The professional has a formal, legal, and ethical Friends have an informal relationship
relationship with the consumer. with one another.