Six Core Social Work Values

This essay will address the ethical dilemmas faced by social workers and how they address these ethical dilemmas when working with service users and carers. It will be illustrated that codes of practice and codes of ethics are of paramount importance when dealing with these dilemmas as they are ones that guide social workers as to how they should try and solve these dilemmas.

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) has identified a set of values that all social workers must consider during the course of their work (NASW, 2008). Social work values are broadly covered when you define social work as being a profession of aiding those in need and addressing oppression. Helping those in need directly relates to the value of supporting the needs of others. The definition also addresses the importance of bringing awareness to oppression. This relates to the values of addressing injustice, individuality and promoting harmony. On a broader perspective, all social workers are encouraged to continually pursue knowledge in their area and maintain ethical practices. Values have the purpose of ensuring that helpers always strive for what is best for the client. Manning (1997) points out that “the power to intervene in people’s lives carries

Social workers face complex ethical issues in every aspect of their profession. This work is often ethically challenging because it involves direct contact and interaction with individuals who are vulnerable. There are many factors that influence our decision making especially when working with at risk youths, we often face challenges in wanting to take on certain roles to protect our clients. These roles often conflict with our professional obligations. When our personal and professional values conflicts, our decisions may affect the individual, family, group, community and the organization.

Social work is a profession which has the objective to improve the quality of life of other individuals. The NASW code of ethics is used as a guideline for social workers and the interaction they have with their clients. In addition, within the code of ethics, there are six values, which include service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Therefore, going into the social work field it is important to understand that your

Shared values are essential in the creating a successful relationship between the client and social worker. Social workers operate within society, not only to assist the individual but to create a more cohesive society. Values and ethics permeate the whole of social work practice and the society within which it practices (Shardlow 1989). Values are afforded a high position within social work, this is highlighted in: “Social work is a professional activity. 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 a social worker many problems may arise because of the constant grey area of either letting your personal values interfere with your professional opinion. It is essential to provide your client with information and tools to help them succeed and overcome their problems. Following the core values is essential to being a resourceful, competent social worker. In some cases, core values are in conflict. In a situation where more than one core value is in conflict it is considered an ethical dilemma (Hick, 2009). It’s not guaranteed that a perfect solution will arise, therefore one of the core values is subsided because the other has more of an impact on the client.

Explain a range of ethical and moral dilemmas which social workers and the team may encounter when dealing with this care – look at case study on the assignment brief.

The ethical principle set forth by the NASW states “social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person (NASW, 2008).” The social worker in this case has a duty to treat the clients respectfully and be mindful of individual differences, culture, and ethnic diversity. As the social worker, it was imperative that I work with Stephanie to build upon her capacities and seek ways to guide her to be capable to address her own needs.

There are many publications that would bring value to the overall presentation of knowledge one could gain in search of further understanding of areas related to social work as a profession. Many understandings are attributed to social workers and case managers, who have chosen to work not with raw materials to create a finished product, but precious human life. This challenge brings on many personal and ethical struggles since erred raw materials can typically be discarded and another produced. In the field of social work, a misdiagnosis creates an extenuating circumstance and another attempt to get the medication or therapeutic process correct. In the article Social workers and the NASW Code of Ethics: belief, behavior, disjuncture, the

As a profession the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), believes every person should be entitled to the basic right of self-determination. The NASW code of ethics clearly defines the role of a social worker and a client’s right to self-determination as, a social worker is to respect and promote a client’s right to self-determination, while assisting clients with identifying and clarifying client goals (NASW Code of Ethics, 2008, 1.02 Self-Determination). Ethical considerations may arise when a social worker using his or her professional judgement limits a client’s right to self-determination, when the clients’ actions or potential actions pose an imminent risk to themselves or others.

Biestek constructed seven points of traditional social work principles. These are as follows: 1. Individualisation of Every Person - treating people as individuals; 2. Purposeful Expression of Feelings - allows individuals to freely voice their thoughts and express their feelings; 3. Controlled Emotional Involvement - showing empathy and professional interest; 4. Unconditional Acceptance to Individuals - promotes equal citizenship, the individual is accepted for who they are not by their personal circumstance; 5. Non-judgemental Attitude - respecting individual’s choice of lifestyle and decision-making; 6. Self-determination of an individual - the power is given back to individuals, social worker empowers individuals to realise their own potentials in achieving their goals; 7. Confidentiality - showing respect to individual’s privacy. Individuals have the right to privacy and who they want to share information with, Data protection Act 1998. Biestek’s principles were developed nearly fifty years ago and still remain significant in social work today. Confidentiality principle may be seen as controversial as confidentiality has its limitations when enforced. Social workers have a duty of care to safeguards individuals, family members (code of practice 4.2) and the public, and often confidentiality is disregarded if there is a risk of harm. Confidentiality is one of

Since we are all interconnected within society, it is essential for every person to possess rational ethical standards as the quality of our lives depends on them. Indeed, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and I both recognize the importance of enhancing the well-being of those who are vulnerable and how possession of ethics contributes to such development. While completing the Values Inventory for Policy Practice forms, there were eighteen similarities between the NASW and my personal beliefs regarding the set of statements. Some of them include, supporting gay and lesbian couples in affording the same rights (e.g., marriage) as heterosexual couples, protecting the dignity of commercial sex workers, restoring the right to vote for convicted felons, preserving the right of individuals to control their own end-of-life decisions and recognizing transgendered individuals by their chosen gender identity. Such circumstances pose conflict concerning one’s ability to self-govern versus their inability to make personal choices. Our ability to exercise autonomy is an agentic expression that gives us control over our own lives. Thus, minimizing this ability not only diminishes one’s dignity, but also contributes to internal oppression. The NASW and I both agree that respecting the self-determination of a client (as long as the individual is not causing harm to another) is equally as important as promoting their rights.

My understanding of the social work profession and its core values is that social workers are caregivers, they provide assistance to people in need, and they address social problems. The social worker goal is the improvement of society to ameliorate the lives of individuals in need. The social work profession mission is to enhance the well-being of people and to assist them in meeting their basic needs, with particular emphasis on the needs of the poor, and the vulnerable individual. The Social Work profession has six core values. These core values are the foundation of the social work profession. The social worker incorporates these core values into his daily practices. Service to others is one of the fundamental values of social work. Social workers goal is serving others and putting the needs of their clients ahead of their own. Social justice is another core value of social work. Social workers aim at improving the lives of the disadvantaged, vulnerable people who are less fortunate or unable to advocate for themselves. Social workers understand the essential value of every human life, regardless of ethnic background, cultural differences or religious beliefs. Their goal is to respect the dignity and worth of every person. Another key value of social work is integrity. The social workers conduct themselves in a trustworthy, honest, and responsible manner at all times. Competence is another important core value of the social work profession. The

For this assignment, we were supposed to read the case of Quanah, who is a 17-year old girl that Is pregnant. After reading Quanah case, it became quite clear to me that she needs a social worker that is qualified to help her. The social worker will need to meet the needs of this 17-year old and address the issue at hand, which is her pregnancy and her essentially feeling helpless. Before the social worker can adequately address Quanah’s needs, they must use a set of value and standards that can effectively help this teenager.

Values relate to principles and attitudes that provide direction to everyday living. Values also refer to beliefs or standards considered desirable by a culture, group or individual (AASW). Similar to values, but slightly different, ethics means a system of beliefs held about what constitutes moral judgement and right conduct, they are moral principles (rules, guides) (AASW). So an ethical dilemma is then when a person is faced with a choice between two equally conflicting moral principles and it is not clear cut which choice will be the right one (AASW). Finally, ‘a code of ethics’ is an explicit statement of the values,