Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43).
The NASW Code of Ethics provides social work practitioners with resources for ethical decision making, serving as a guide to professional code of conduct. The Code of Ethics is divided into four sections, which summarize the profession’s mission and values, an overview of the Code’s main functions which includes a guide for dealing with ethical issues and dilemmas, and it provides ethical principles which are based on the core values that inform practice (NASW, 2008). The NASW provides resources and useful information when faced with ethical decision making, such as ethics consultation. Through the application of the NASW Code of Ethics, my work is guided by values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. In this instance, the Code is
I believe if I was a social worker, it would be significantly important that I empower and strength this population. In the article, it explains how social workers and churches can be a helpful resources to the older adult populations. The congregations of the church can play an important role in helping individuals feel appreciated. Social workers can help church leaders understand ways that they can have the needs of people who are facing the end of life. They may encourage and facilitate basic ministries such as card/ letter writing, phone calling, and friendly visiting (Curtis, 135). Through these acts of service, it will make older adults feel like they do matter and that they are loved.
Social workers need a code of ethics to be able to serve their clients and co-workers more professionally. The Code of Ethics guides the social workers with decision making skills for when unethical issues occur. There will be many instances where unethical issues will arise and as social workers we should be prepared to follow the Code of Ethics. However, if the social worker does not follow the Code of Ethics, it can lead to job termination. An example of violating the Code of Ethics is having dual relationships with the clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation to the client. This can occur if the social worker and client have more than one relationship, whether its professional, social, or business.
Profession Code of Ethics Comparison As a social work student, we are provided with the foundational education necessary to succeed in our profession. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics is the most significant publication because it “is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers” (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017). For this assignment, we are charged with exploring other professional codes of ethics to gain a better understanding of how they may be similar or differ from one another. Therefore, I choose to explore the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics with the intention of conducting a comparison analysis of both documents.
Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43).
“Professional social workers are required to develop and practice ongoing social work knowledge, values and skills in order to be competent social workers”(Clemens, 2014, p.1). Social workers work and assist clients with many different entities, such as improving or empowering their lives, and social policies that impact an effect their lives. “Social workers engaged in planned change see the connections and mutual interactions between people and the social environment of which they are a part” (Garthwait, 2014, p177). To be truly effective, social workers must be committed and skilled in the interventions that reflect their client’s lives and influenced their societal conditions and social policies.
Federal law and the National Institutes of Health recognize social work as one of five core mental health professions. Core values identified by the National Association of Social Workers' (NASW) Code of Ethics are: 1. Service- help people in need and address social
As social work professionals, we have a commitment to advocate for our clients. Because of our advocacy commitment, we also should be committed to social justice. Change cannot happen overnight; however, it also cannot happen if people are not willing to speak up about the things they are passionate about. Additionally, social workers must ensure that they are empowering their clients. As social workers, we should be committed to using a person first approach.
(Crystal DeBoise) They have to find a way to incorporate these values if they want to work effectively with their clients. The article states how the social work Code of Ethics has a set of values that they tie into the principles they practice within their program. It also goes in detail about these social work values and potential barriers to understanding and accepting them, as they relate to the survivors of human trafficking and sex
It is not sufficient if the social worker apprehends that the person himself and his dignity are the main values. It is indispensable to engage to stimulate the security of human dignity and its maintenance. Correspondingly, the professional work of a social worker, his trust in the client and the appreciation of his efforts in the helping process can lead to a better quality of his
ETHICAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS IN SOCIAL WORK: CONSISTENCY AND CONFLICT Introduction According to Collin Dictionary, ethics is the philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it; moral philosophy. For legal is established by or founded upon law. Definition for social work is organized work intended to advance the social conditions of a community, and especially of the disadvantaged, by providing psychological counseling, guidance, and assistance, especially in the form of social services (Free Dictionary, 2011). Family service agencies, community mental health centers, prisons, schools, medical and psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, substance abuse treatment centers, the
Ethical awareness forms a fundamental part of the profession of social work. The competence and commitment of social workers to behave ethically is an essential aspect and quality of the services they offer. The Association of Social Work identified core values for social work profession in the preamble to its code of ethics. Social work’s mission is rooted in these core values which are six in total, however, service, social change and integrity will be discussed. These core values embraced by social workers are the basis of the profession’s distinctive purpose and perspective.
My View Points on the Social Work Ethics Values I define values as someone’s personal view of what they feel is important in their life, and the way they act towards that value. Values affect people in different ways. An example of a value that someone views as important would be no sex before marriage.
Another important personal value that is related to social work and the NASW Code of Ethics is integrity. On a personal level integrity is one of the qualities that I seek in all relationshps.. From my experience friendships based on good integrity are being trustworthy;