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Sometimes in Social Work the values that are outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics do not always match up with societal values, and even personal values. The societal values are; Cultural Diversity, Equality, Freedom, Integrity, Knowledge Building, Privacy, and Social justice. Some of these values match up with the Code of Ethics, while some of these do not. The Code of Ethics list the Social Work values as such; Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of the Person, Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, and Competence. (National Association of Social Workers, 2015) Each value is also paired up with an Ethical Principle. For example, the value of service is paired with the ethical principle, “Social workers’ primary goal is to help …show more content…
First the two obvious ones that match are Integrity and Social Justice. The ethical principle for Integrity, “Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.” (National Association of Social Workers, 2015) Then the ethical principle for Social Justice is, “Social workers challenge social injustice.” (National Association of Social Workers, 2015) The societal value of Freedom can also fall under this ethical principle, because sometimes the basic human rights can be threatened, which can threaten the freedom of the clients, or society in general. This would be an instance where a Social Worker would step in and fight against the injustice. Cultural Diversity can fall under the Social Work category of Dignity and Worth of the person. The ethical principle is, “Social Workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.” (National Association of Social Workers, 2015) This also continues into an explanation though, “Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity.” (National Association of Social Workers, 2015) The culture and diversity of the client is part of what makes them human, which need to be respected and understood when treating …show more content…
Social Workers are also often placed in situations where their professional values and their personal values do not align. An example of this is, “Throughout its history, social work has advocated peace as an essential means to achieving social and economic justice. At the same time, professional social workers have been an integral part of the military system dating back to World War I, when social workers joined forces with the Red Cross to treat victims of ‘shell shock’.” (Olson, 2014) In the article, Exploring the Ethical Dilemma of Integrating Social Work Values and Military Social Work Practice, Mark Olson talks about the Social Work value of Social Justice, and how peace is essential to this value. He also talks about the military need for social workers and the ethical dilemma that social workers face when trying to integrate themselves into the military system.
Defining an ethical dilemma as ‘a predicament in which the decision-maker must choose between two options of near or equal value,’ posited that military social workers may be forced to choose between the military mission and their client…However, discrepancies between the culture and philosophy of the military system and the social work profession warrant further discussion. (Olson,
The NASW code of ethics has six ethical principles. One of the six is Social Justice (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This principal ensures social change for oppressed individuals. A social workers focus in social change relates to issues of unemployment and discrimination.
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics (2010) proposes three core values of Social Work, respect for persons, social justice and professional integrity (pp.12). These core values establish “ethical responsibilities” for the social worker (AASW, 2010, pp.12), specifically, the value of respect for persons, which sustains the intrinsic worth of all human beings as well as the right to wellbeing and self determination consistent with others in society (AASW, 2010,p.12). This Code of Ethics stipulates the duty of care a social worker must provide, a...
Ethical Issues in Social Work I will provide practical help for new social workers to help them understand and deal with ethical issues and dilemmas which they will face. There are many ethical issues which are important to social work, but I feel that these are all covered by the care value base. The care value base Was devised by the care sector consortium in 1992, this was so that the workers in health and social care had a common set of values and principles which they would all adhere to. It is important because for the first time the social care sector had a clear set of guidelines from which ethical judgements could be made. The care value base is divided into 5 elements - The care value base covers - Equality and Diversity - Rights and responsibilities - Confidentiality - Promoting anti Discrimination - Effective communication Equality and Diversity Carers must value diversity themselves before they can effectively care for the different races, religions and differently abled people they will come across in their caring profession.
The National Association of Social Workers, NASW, considers the following as its six most core values; service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The value of service is considered to be a core value because offering help to those in need is a crucial goal for all of those looking to practice in the field of Social Work. These services can include, but are not limited to, addressing social problems, helping those in need, and volunteering their knowledge to those who cannot otherwise afford such help. Social Justice is also an important core value for a Social Worker to develop. As a Social Worker one will encounter many people from several different walks of life, no two cases will ever be exactly the same. Some of these walks of life can leave a client vulnerable, defenseless, exploited, oppressed, and troubled. Therefore it is important to learn what Social Justice is, and how to help people from falling victim to injustice. Dignity and Worth of the Person is one of the most important values that one should uphold. People who need the help of a Social Worker many, but not all, times feel powerless, embarrassed, and worthless because they feel as though they cannot control aspects of their life an...
National Association of Social Workers [NASW]. (1998). The New NASW Code of Ethics Can Be Your Ally: Part I. Retrieved from: http://www.naswma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=96
First, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics Preamble (2008) states, “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people.” In RCT, the goal is also to enhance wellbeing through the basic need for connection and growth-empowering relationships which is based on mutual empowerment for all people (Banks, Jordan, & Walker, 2011). Further, the NASW (2008) lists their core values to be: “service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.” All of these values define RCT, because it emphasizes human relationships and the “five good things” (Jordan, 2008, p.2) that promote authenticity, respect, self-esteem, dignity, equality, and acts that promote relationships that empower others for an inclusive society (Banks, Jordan, & Walker,
Tallant, S. H., & Ryberg, R. A. (1999). Common and Unique Ethical Dilemmas Encountered by Military Social Workers. In J. G. Daley, Social Work Practice In the Military (pp. 179-204). Binghamton: Haworth Press Inc.
The six core values that are described in the Code of Ethics by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) are social justice, service, importance of human relationships, dignity and worth of a person, integrity, and competence. According to the NASW (2016), these core values are the foundation for the purpose of the social work profession. It is essential for social work professionals to be able to put aside their personal values, and embody these core values when working with clients.
The following paper aims to discuss and analyze the way in which my personal values intersect with the values I hold as most important within the profession of social work. It would stand to reason that these values would stand on common ground; however, there are places where my personal and professional values diverge. These conflicts may prove to be problematic within my chosen career unless I find a way to prioritize my values, or find ways for them to work harmoniously with each other.
Among an array of Values from The Code of Ethics (TCE) of social work Value 1 dictates that as social workers we must respect the dignity of our clients and refrain from passing judgement onto them (Canadian Association of Social Work, 2005, pg.7). As a social worker, it is important to follow this value as it prevents the distancing of the client from the worker as the client will have a better chance of opening up to someone who does not instantly tell them what to do or reprimand them for their actions or non-action in their lives. Oppression relates to the TCE in that it says the social work profession’s main purpose is to raise their clients who are vulnerable, oppressed and/or living in poverty (CASW, 2005, pg.7). Taking this into account
Social work practice is a profession where it works alongside the ‘code of ethics’, these consist of formal statements which represent values of the professional community. The national associations such as Britain state the core values within this field are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity (human rights), integrity and competence. The professional field is regulated by the ‘British Association of Social Work’ (BASW). The core values within social work are huma...
All social workers are beholden to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Professional ethics are the main core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The code is composed of thematic sections that outline a social worker’s responsibility to clients, colleagues, employers, and the profession. Some responsibilities that a social worker has to a client are that the clients are their primary responsibility, fostering maximum self-determination in clients, respecting the privacy of clients, keeping information that has been shared during the course of their duties confidential and charging fees for services that are fair and considerate
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). In addition, ethical decision-making is a process that
Reamer, R.G. (2006). Social Work Values and Ethics . 3rd ed. New York: Colombia University
Prior to having the class of Professional Values and Ethics, I assumed I understood the basic concepts of what defines a professional who has competence of values and ethics. Nevertheless, by being enrolled in this course, I have gained great knowledge of which professional values and ethical principles must be held by a social worker, which I did not know before. Progressively in this class, by learning professional values and ethics, my motivation to succeed as an upcoming social worker has gotten stronger.