Values & Ethics in Social Work

The NASW Code of Ethics was established to serve six purposes to establish the core values upon which the social work profession is based, create specific ethical standards that should guide social work practice and reflect the core values, help social workers navigate professional considerations and obligations when ethical uncertainties arise, to provide ethical standards to which the social work profession can be held accountable, to initiate new social workers to the profession’s mission values, and ethical principles and standards, and to create standards by which the social work profession can assess if a social worker has engaged in unethical conduct. Social workers who pledge to abide by this code must cooperate with its implementation and disciplinary rulings based upon

This part of portfolio sets out to describe the roles and skills of social workers and how skills are developed through supervision and continuous professional development. The international definition of social work according to the BASW code of ethics is the social work profession is there to promote social change, Solving problems that occur in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Using theories of human Behaviour and social structures, social work interferes at the points where people interact with their situations. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. (BASW code of ethics) Social work in its numerous forms reports the various, difficult relations between people and their environments.

Every individual in our society harbors a personalized set of values that guide behavior. “Values involve what is considered important and what is not” (Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 60). As a professional social worker, one must be able to clearly identify and understand where he or she stands concerning ethical issues. “Social workers have ethical responsibilities to clients, to colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession, and to the broader society” (Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 61). Another ongoing task for social workers is to effectively relate personal values to the core values listed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

Implicit in its practice are ethical principles which prescribe the professional responsibility of the social worker” (British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Code of Ethics). However, there is a danger that any list of values will become something which is quoted as opposed to a useful tool for practice. Values can be helpful as they enable the social worker to analyse their practice in relation to the expectations of the law and the needs of the people they work with. What are values? Is there a place for them in contemporary social work?

One believes that the social workers must be familiar with the British law system and The Human Rights Act of 1998 and its capability of upholding and safeguarding the human rights. Furthermore, the social workers must know how to apply the aforementioned act as a tool for the betterment of their practice and the service users whom they represent. The history of the European Convention of Human Rights The Human Rights Act of 1998 was co-founded upon the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950. Developed following the ending of the Second World War, European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was constructed to further the idealistic principles and endeavours of equality among all human beings, as well as a devout declaration of preventing the reoccurrence of the holocaust and massacres which have occurred as a casus belli . ECHR comprises civil privileges and liberties fundamental to all human beings irrespective of race, gender, age, sexual orientation exclusive of discrimination.

Thompson, N. (2005) Understanding Social Work, 2nd Ed. Hampshire: Palgrave. Thompson, N. & Thompson, S. (2008) The Social Work Companion. Hampshire: Palgrave. Thompson, N. (2009) Practicing Social Work.

Ethics and social responsibility are integral components in developing a strategic plan while considering stakeholder needs. As such, ethics and social responsibility should be deemed as an essential strategic concern within all organizations. Ethics and social responsibility has the capacity to make or break an organization; the success of an organization’s strategic plan is dependent upon it. This paper will explain the role of ethics and social responsibility in developing a strategic plan while considering stakeholder needs. Lastly, this paper will elaborate as to how my ethical perspective has evolved throughout the program.

As the social worker, I would apply social work ethical principles to guide my professional practice by making sure that am knowledgeable of the liability and standard/duty of care issues as stated in the NASW Code of Ethics, be able to articulate and demonstrate social values, ethics, and principles, open to being challenged on the values and beliefs; have the ability to manage conflict regarding ethical issues, being able to reflect understanding of how to integrate ethics into practice, and recognize my personal values in a way that would allow my professional values to guide my practice (NASW, 2015). As a professional one must practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional development. As the social worker, I would identify my areas of strength as well as areas where improvement is needed, seek and act on corrective feedback from my supervisor or mentors, establish effective working relationships with clients and peers, and seek to resolve identified problems with performance of professional responsibilities. I would also make sure I practice within my area of competence by developing and enhancing my professional

The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2000. Credo Reference. Web. 03 December 2011.

Ethics are logical and rational standards of right and wrong that guide a human being by determining what a person should do. Standards of ethics include accepted basic rights, obligations, value to society, objectivity, justice, or specific moralities. Ethics include qualities such as honesty, compassion, and loyalty as well as rights such as right to life and right to privacy. Ethical standards are supported by consistent and substantiated explanations. Ethics are a continuous study within one’s self to ensure one’s standards are reasonable, practical, and und... ... middle of paper ... ...make sure the participant is informed of all aspects of the study, the risks involved, and debrief them when the study is over.