Values Paper
My decision to become a social worker was no surprise to my family and friends. I have always loved to encourage, build up, and help people in times of need; regardless if it was shelter, food, or a friend to talk too. After reviewing the NASW Code of Ethics, it is simple to understand that my core values align with becoming and being a future professional social worker. As I ponder through the idea of how I accumulated my core values, it is quite simple to trace them back to the way I was raised by my parents.
The number one code listed by the NASW is service. Social workers are expected to take their knowledge and mold and adapt to their client’s situation. These professionals are mentors, providers, and in many cases, individuals last chances to get their life together. Their service is dependable and trustworthy, as they are supporting their clients by pointing them in the right direction. I like to believe I can adapt well to my surrounds, as well as others. My parents raised me to guide and understand while lending out a helping hand. Service is a major aspect of social work as it is my life. Volunteering at various organizations as a child has taught me that by just giving my time and kindness can make someone’s day, week, or even their year.
Social justice is what social workers are known for pursuing in their profession. It encircles a broad aspect of social issues ranging from socioeconomic issues, discrimination, and unemployment. As a social worker
Iruonagbe, Chiazor, & Ajayi (2013) beautifully described the sentiments of my heart regarding family making mention it is not only the oldest social institution, but indeed the most important. The responsibilities of families are great ranging from guidance, to support, and more importantly it gives the individual a sense of belonging and commitment. My personal value as a social worker is family is a bond that is not to be broken. When one of us is made weak, the other steps in and pick up the pieces. We are guided by love respect and sacrifice. I come from a strong background of caregivers. I have watched my mother care for her elderly mother until she took her last breath, or family unable to care for their child and most assuredly another member will raise that child. In like manner of Mrs. Vishnick being a widow myself I bore the responsibility of my children and applaud her for doing the same. I understand she is 87 years of age, and her adult daughter has a mental disability, still I am empathic to her situation. In my culture, it is expected other members will step in as no one is a throw away. Mrs. Vishnick should not have to carry the burden alone. Family must be able to depend on each other, as we are one another’s protective factor. God and our faith in him will see us through.
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 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
My intern site is a social service agency that is dedicated to working with the LGBTQ+ community. The mission of the organization is to provide a safe, supported, and celebrated environment for adolescents. In interning over the last several weeks, I have come to acknowledge and comprehend why the values of social work are so important when working with the adolescents that attend Youth Outlook. According to this weeks reading about the Cardinal Values of Social Work. It's important for me to understand that all of these values impact each person that I come in contact with on a weekly basis. Access to resources, dignity, and worth and interpersonal relationships, integrity, and value and competence are values that are incorporated into each drop-in site so that the clients can feel safe and supported.
SOCIAL JUSTICE refers to the concept of a society in which justice is involved or achieved in every aspect in life. As part of individuality in the society they have to have social justice
A career in Social Work requires conviction to personal values that reflect and uphold the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Professional ethics are the foundation of social work, as the trade has an innate obligation to endorse ethical principles and basic values to advocate for the wellness of others. The core values adopted by all social workers, as distinguished by NASW, are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. As a Clinical Social Worker, I will honor the NASW Code of Ethics in addition to my personal values of respect, self determination, responsibility, motivation, and wisdom. My personal values complement the NASW Code of Ethics and will resonate in my work as a social worker.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has written a code of ethics that serves many purposes. The main purpose is to identify the core ethics and values that provide the foundation for the profession. It details six basic principles for social workers to follow: service, social justice, dignity and worth, human relationships, integrity, and competence (National Association of Social Workers, 1999). The code acts as an ethical guide for students, and those professionals just
To me, social justice means everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. My goal as a social worker will be to open the doors of opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need. Social workers are dedicated, doing their best to ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect. Social workers involved in social justice are important because they set out to improve the relationship between people in different settings, while providing support and respect for
The values set by their profession bind social workers by guiding their actions and decision-making in a professional setting. They are to respect the dignity and worth of persons, to strive for social justice, to offer humanity service, and to show integrity, confidentiality, and competence in their professional practice (CASW, 2005, p. 4).
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
The six core values of social work are integrity, social justice, competence, dignity and worth of the individual, service, and importance of human relationships. It is vital that a social worker shows that they have integrity, meaning that they should have trustworthy tendencies. Social workers must entice social justice. They should assure that social change is okay and be there for those who are considered oppressed. Social workers should always remain competent and be willing to expand their knowledge and use it to the best of their abilities. Having dignity and knowing the worth of the clients is very important. Social workers should always remain respectful no matter the situation. The goal of a social worker is to provide service
It is not uncommon for social workers personal values to clash with the profession’s values. When reflecting on self-concept, I came to the conclusion that the values I stand for are kindness, equality, honesty, love, compassion, helping the less fortunate, and treating others the way you want to be treated. I also came to the realization that I highly value, respect, and appreciate diversity. I’ve learned and realized that by surrounding yourself with diverse, unique people you are able to grow and gain a better view and perspective on the world. One of the main values of the social worker profession is social justice. This is what has inspired me for my future. People should not be treated unequally for the things that make them unique. I want to bring social justice to those who are being treated wrongly due to the things that make them beautiful. This is why I believe my self-concept fits with the social work profession. I do believe that I will face many challenges while working in the social work profession. One of these challenges is becoming more self-aware. After reflecting on Chechak’s paper I can see how some of my values and beliefs may clash while working in the
This question is a bit challenging to answer for me, because the dilemma is that I don’t have a personal value or believe problem that goes against or is not compatible with the social work mission statement or the core values either. The reason for this is because I like to think I am an open person who is understanding and likes to give people a chance, and when given rules I tends to follow them because they are their for a reason and if I don’t understand that reason then I will ask what the purpose of that rule is. This being the reason I understand the mission statement and the core values, all of which are set in place not only to protect the social worker and the social work profession, but most importantly to protect and benefit the client, since they are the reason.
A social worker’s job is to be a voice for the voiceless, it is their duty to serve diligently for the oppressed. It is also their job to comply with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics are a vital aspect of the social work profession. As a social worker, I will be committed to not only being a change agent for my clients, but also following the guiding principles of the NASW’s Code of Ethics. Following these ethical standards would shape my practice as a social worker into preforming competently, ethically, and respectfully throughout the field. Consequently, holding me accountable as a professional and making it my responsibility to practice with integrity on the behalf of myself, clients, and colleagues.