The NASW code of ethics itself is broken down into four primary sections; the preamble, the purpose, ethical principles, and ethical standards (Manning, 2003). Although all these sections are broken up into different sections there primary function is to show the worker how to use their morals and values to guide them in everyday decision making. The “preamble” itself is a summary of the worker’s mission and core values. The “purpose” section of the NASW code of ethics is to help aide social workers when they are faced with moral or ethical decisions. The last two sections of the NASW code of ethics are the “ethical principles” and “standards” they are used to give examples and solutions that can aide the worker with in their field of practice. When the social worker uses the NASW code of ethics they are also able to understand and deal with issues that may cause conflicts with their morals and…
The NASW follows six Ethical Principles. The Ethical Principle that social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships is most relevant to the problem of child abuse because it coincides with the best interests of those working to bring child victims of abuse out of their unhealthy state of living. Under this Ethical Principle, the NASW Code of Ethics states that “Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.” This Ethical Principle is the most relevant because it values human relationships and their coexistence with the outer forces of society. With this Principle intact, professional social workers are thus driven to improve the living conditions of those in need. They react to specific social problems that are harmful to individuals, such as child abuse and neglect.…
The NASW has an established Code of Ethics, (1996) for the profession. And the code applies not only to social workers but also to social work students. In addition, social worker must follow the Code regardless of the professional functions they perform, the setting they work in, or the populations they serve. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that you should use to guide your social work practice. And the primary mission of the social work profession according to the Code, is “to enhance the human well-being and help meet basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty”(p.1). The six core values of the profession relate to service, social justice,…
I am interested in this type of work because I want to help people. Some people have many thing going on with their lives, but they have nobody to talk to. I wish I could be at somebody that people can talk to if they have any problem.…
The purpose of this essay is to present a case study that was allocated to me on my second placement setting. I will discuss some of the ethical dilemmas which I have encountered and how I have dealt with them in a professional way. Anti-oppression/discrimination and reflective practice will also be analysed in order to demonstrate how they guided me throughout my work. I will also illustrate how the theories and legislation were incorporated within my practice. Working on this case also gave me the opportunity to work in partnership with other professionals from different fields, such as: Local social workers, Police , court , Youth oddending team and youth worker, health, housing, education,counselling.…
Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The social work profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards (NASW, p.2). The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, ethical principles, and standards that should be used to guide social workers conduct. The code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their profession, the settings in which they work, or the population they serve (NASW p. 2). Professional ethics are very important in the field of social work. According to the article NASW, the NASW Code of Ethics serves six purposes: It identifies core values on which social workers mission is based, the code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the professions core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice, the code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations or conflicts arise, the code also provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable, the code socializes practitioners new to the field to social works mission, values, ethical principles and ethical standards and lastly the code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct…
Social workers can play a major role in helping individuals with intellectual disabilities. When working with individuals with intellectual disabilities it is important for social worker to follow the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (NASW). There are specific parts of the NASW code of Ethics that social worker who are working with children with intellectual disabilities should be especially cognizant of. One ethics principle that is important to social workers’ who with children with intellectual disabilities is social justice (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2008). The ethical principle for social justice stated by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics declares that social workers should work to promote social change especially when working with a population who are oppressed (NASW, 2008). When working with children with intellectual disability it is also important for social workers to provide access to needed resources such as support services and information pertaining to…
Social work is seen as a profession dedicated to helping different types of societies from children, adolescents and adults. Within the profession relationships develop because of all the compassion and inclination. This paper discusses the case of Angel Z. and her school’s therapist two-way relationship that develops through time. It states that social workers should caution on developing dual relationships, for the importance of upholding the standards of the code of ethics and the stability of the client. The key aspect is explained and illustrated with examples on how the NASW Code of Ethics is a valuable source for social workers to distinguish certain boundaries that should not be crossed or violated. It debates how boundary violations…
All of us at a certain point of time have to encounter the situation of ethical dilemma in personal or professional life. In any field of life, there are certain ethics that every associated professional has to follow. In social services, focus on ethical behavior is of importance, as it is a part of the nature of these services. The social workers many times go through situations where they have to face moral or ethical dilemmas, which can be due to many reasons. This can be due to pressure from many sides such as management, colleagues, junior staff, clients, funding agencies. A social worker has to take hard steps in such situations to overcome those…
The 6 core values of the NASW code of ethics include service, social justice, dignity, and worth of a person, he importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. Social workers have ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession and the broader society.…
One of the values upheld in social work is social justice (Turner, 2011). This value has some connection with the emphasis by relational cultural theory of creating a society in which everyone receives equal treatment regardless of different individual abilities. Both relational cultural theory and social work support equality and emphasize its importance in achieving success. Another value that connects social work with the theory is individual integrity (Turner, 2011). Success in both social work and relational cultural theory happens if all individuals involved in interactions bear integrity in treating everyone with respect. This involves emotional intelligence on the part of everyone by understanding the feeling of those they relate with as well as understanding how individual feelings can affect others. Another value that connects social work with the theory is the spirit of togetherness (Turner, 2011). Social work ensures that people living in a society bring all their resources together, and keep their differences apart for the sake of joint success and growth. Relational cultural theory also emphasizes the importance of having healthy connections within a society so that no one feels excluded from the development agenda because of their incapacities (Turner,…
Furthermore, tackling the barrier of ethical dilemmas, exists moral philosophy, through theories of deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics (Robinson & Reeser, 2000). Reference to the placement example will be used in conjunction with the associated theory here. In particular, the ethical dilemma explored, relates to one of Biestek (1961) seven traditional social work ethics; confidentially, and the consideration of sharing a disclosure made of physical abuse. The Standards of Proficiency require capability in maintaining confidentiality, protecting the rights of service-users to privacy, and the Professional Capabilities Framework, the domain of intervention and skills, continues to highlight the theme, by demanding knowledge and skill…
Common social work values include promotion of client well being and individual dignity, self-determination, the right to have basic needs met, and client empowerment. Ethics involve principles that specify what is good and bad. It's all about choices either way and if it's what the mother feels is best for the present time, than that is her values and ethics and according to the NASW, the six core values includes 1. Services and this policy offer help and resources. 2. Social justice in where every member of society has the same basic rights, protection, opportunities, obligations, and social benefits. 3. Dignity and worth of the person, it holds the mother in high esteem to feel she made the best choice. 4. Importance of human relationships, 5. Integrity, and 6. Competence. Social workers always have an ethical responsibility to their clients and to the broader society. 1.01 is about commitment to clients, 1.02 self determination states that each individual has the right to make their own decisions, 1.03 informed consent is stated clearly in "Daniel's law" and is reinforced upon the receiving of the…
The Oxford dictionary defines ethical dilemma as “A situation in which a person must choose between two courses of action of (apparent) equal moral importance, so that the choice necessarily entails the transgression of an important moral principle.” (2003) Ethical dilemma may challenges social workers’ professional values, duties, and obligations to the client or agency. Ethical dilemmas comes in various format that involve social workers’ delivery of services to individuals, families, couples, and small groups. The social worker's ethical dilemma derives from the pressure to choose among various interests when all cannot be concurrently and consistently accommodated and the pressure to accommodate the social worker's own personal needs, preferences,…
One of my values is self-determination to encourage social change and justice on behalf of my clients. When you choose the social work profession you have made a vow to learn the professional values that are stated in the NASW Code of Ethics. One important value is that personal opinions are placed aside for profession ones, its not about me its about whats best for the client. Social workers are asked to put aside their personal values and beliefs such as, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, abortion, or any other values that are different from your own. It was said that separating your values can be one of the hardest parts of becoming a social worker, but it is the most important thing to pledge to. As a social work advocate my opinions and personal values will not be my main focus point, I will insure to always implement the values of my client in anything I do. With that being said, it is important to have values and beliefs of your own and the NASW Code of Ethics is not asking social workers to change or reject those values, but rather inspires you to be aware of them so that they do not cause friction or confuse your client of their own values and…