Social Work Ethics

The goal of this paper is to take a critical look at the topic of values and ethics in social work. The focal point of the discussion should start with the importance of understanding how values and ethics impact the profession of social work in addition to providing a foundation for addressing the needs of clients. Despite being faced with constant challenges while providing services to client’s social workers must uphold the profession by maintaining an unquestionable level of integrity (Reamer, 2013). Furthermore, with all the forward movement in society advocating for transparency and full disclosure, it may be surprising to know that there are still barriers that exist within the client dynamics, and in the professional realm of social

Probably the most challenging of them all is self-determination, because the right to self-determination and active involvement, in planning and decision making, are directly related to the level of success experienced by clients (Biestek & Gehrig, 1978). This has created a need to emphasize the importance of implementation strategies designed to promote self-determination and enhanced client involvement. Whatever the rationale for not promoting self-determination, research confirms that there is a strong correlation between a client’s level of self-determination and the likelihood of a positive outcome (Reamer, 2013). This contradiction may be attributed to the fact that some social workers are unaware or unfamiliar with existing materials and/or strategies designed to promote

In this case, I believe that confidentiality does prevail over the institution’s need to know about sexual harassment because there is no threat of harm. The physician could be harming the client emotionally by his inappropriate actions, but he is not physically threatening anyone and the client is not stating she is going to harm the physician for making her uncomfortable. If the client does not want to report the situation, that is her choice. As the social worker, I would probably talk to the client about her reporting the sexual harassment herself by giving her options of other things she can do any other ways she can think about the situation so she can make an informed decision herself. I understand her position of feeling like she cannot say anything, but she could make an anonymous complaint. I would encourage her to think about the way the physician’s comments make her feel and how she feels about the physician being able to inflict that feeling on her and others. I would provide her with the number to human resources in case she decided she does want to make a complaint. It is ultimately her decision and I would not be able to disclose the sexual harassment she revealed to me in session to anyone without her consent (Reamer,