Social Work Ethics
Ethics and Values in social work
There is a direct link between values and actions. When we perform an action we, and the act itself, may be judged according to the values expressed through that action (Shardlow 1989:p2)
This assignment will discuss this statement by outlining how professional interpretation emerges from the way dilemmas between different values are resolved. The assignment considers a number of social work values including ‘Respect to persons’ and ‘Self-Determinism’. Guidelines on ethical practice are included because their role in determining action based social work is significant. Throughout the assignment the relationship between ethical issues and value judgements will be examined in relation to scenario one. The assignment will show how awareness of personal values is the first process by which Anti-Discriminatory, Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Racist practices in social work are formed. To begin with, however, a general outline of ‘values’ is discussed. (Given the wide ranging nature of the question set I have decided to use italics when specific points are made in relation to the opening quote).
Values are difficult to define. Shardlow captures the range of ground covered by the term; “almost any kind of belief and obligation, anything preferred for any reason or for no apparent reason at all can be viewed as a value” (1989, p.4).
An individual’s values are adopted cultural or societal values and are therefore socially acceptable (Banks, 1995). This idea of what people ‘should do’ relates to behaviour and social role. The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) expands on this “a value determines what a person thinks he ought!
to do, which may not be the same as what he wants to do, or what it is in his interest to do, or what in fact he actually does...” (CCETSW 1976 p14) Values are seen in actions, and CCETSW acknowledges that actions may not be congruent with the value held and, if
There is a direct link between values and actions. When we perform an action we, and the act itself, may be judged according to the values expressed through that action (Shardlow 1989:p2)
This assignment will discuss this statement by outlining how professional interpretation emerges from the way dilemmas between different values are resolved. The assignment considers a number of social work values including ‘Respect to persons’ and ‘Self-Determinism’. Guidelines on ethical practice are included because their role in determining action based social work is significant. Throughout the assignment the relationship between ethical issues and value judgements will be examined in relation to scenario one. The assignment will show how awareness of personal values is the first process by which Anti-Discriminatory, Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Racist practices in social work are formed. To begin with, however, a general outline of ‘values’ is discussed. (Given the wide ranging nature of the question set I have decided to use italics when specific points are made in relation to the opening quote).
Values are difficult to define. Shardlow captures the range of ground covered by the term; “almost any kind of belief and obligation, anything preferred for any reason or for no apparent reason at all can be viewed as a value” (1989, p.4).
An individual’s values are adopted cultural or societal values and are therefore socially acceptable (Banks, 1995). This idea of what people ‘should do’ relates to behaviour and social role. The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) expands on this “a value determines what a person thinks he ought!
to do, which may not be the same as what he wants to do, or what it is in his interest to do, or what in fact he actually does...” (CCETSW 1976 p14) Values are seen in actions, and CCETSW acknowledges that actions may not be congruent with the value held and, if
Bibliography: Banks. S, (1995): Ethics and Values in social work. Macmillan. Houndmills. Bilton British Association of Social Workers. (1986): A Code of Ethics for Social Work. BASW. Birmingham. Central Council for Education and Training in Social work Horne, M (1987): Values in social work. Wildwood House. Aldershot Hugman Jamal. B, (1994): self-determination and positive freedom in social work. University of East Anglia Mearns. D, and Thorne. B, (1988): Person centred counselling in action. Sage. London. Ovretveit. J, (1986): Improving Social Work Records and Practice. BASW. Birmingham. Shardlow, S. (Ed.) (1989): The Values of Change in Social Work. Tavistock/ Routledge. London Shemmings Thompson. N, (1997 2nd ed.): Anti-Discriminatory Practice. Macmillan. Houndmills Thompson The Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 6, Number 2 (2009)