Why is the code of ethics important to the Social Work field?
“The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide a social worker’s conduct” (NASW, 2017). The value of the code is to protect the client, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, human relationships, integrity and competence. The NASW
Code of Ethics assists with six purposes, identifies core values; summarizes broad ethical principles; help social workers identify conflict or ethical uncertainties; ethical standards; socialize practitioners to the mission, principles and standards, and enunciates standards in social work profession; for unethical conduct. The code assists when ethical issues arise, also how social workers should conduct
The codes in ethical behavior for both, the NASW, National Association of Social Workers, and the NAADAC, National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, have more similarities than differences. It is thought by some students in the studies of Social Work, that if you adhere to the Code of Ethics it will generally encompass the code of the NAADAC.
The NASW Code of Ethics is the guideline for social workers in regards to professional conduct and practice. The Code of Ethics is divided into four parts: “The Preamble,” “Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics,” “Ethical Principles,” and “Ethical Standards.” These sections educate social workers on what their mission is, and how they complete that mission with true morality. Within the Code, there are six values presented which are also used in regards to helping and practicing with clients honorably. These six values are: service, social justice, dignity and worth, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These six values are the principles that drive social work practice, and are used by social workers everyday.
They understand the value in ethical and professional behavior and the impact it has on their work. Social workers must maintain the highest form of ethical practice because of their intense work in the community. Social workers use NASW Code of Ethics to help them make the most ethical decision because they often hold a lot of weight. Social workers also know how to differentiate their personal beliefs even when in difficult situations. They do not mix their values as a social worker with their values as a person and therefore do not let their beliefs affect their work. Social workers understand the importance of maintaining professional behavior because it can affect their
The ethical principle of competence and integrity relates to my program in the sense that it served as a guideline for appropriate professional conduct as a social worker by focusing on the welfare of the clients and helping them lead better and improved lives through provision of the needed professional services. Social workers have the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner while discharging their services to clients (Barnett & Johnson, 2014).
worker’s conduct” (NASW, 2017). The value of the code is to protect the client, social justice,
Social work is a very unique profession. The other professions that are in the same realm as social work are very specialized, however, social workers must have a broad range of knowledge in order to help their clients. This is where multiple agencies come together to make sure professionals are properly trained and knowledgeable. In the field of social work, ethics and values are the key principles that provide the basis for the mission. It is these principles that guide the decisions and actions of everyone in the profession. Without a clear set of guiding principles, social work professionals could do more harm than good. This profession sees people during highly emotional times in their lives, and that can be extremely challenging. The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics not only sets the standards, but also guides a social worker through dealing with ethical dilemmas. As we evolve as a society, so have the guiding principles and values for the social work profession.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has published a set of core values and ethical guidelines for all social workers. The Code of Ethics contains six core values to which social workers need to practice (NASW, 2008). The social worker must abide by the values and ethics set forth by the NASW at all times.
Reading the Code of Ethic for National Association of Social Worker (NASW) I see that the code of ethics if pretty similar to my own set of values. Upon reviewing the code of ethics, it parallels how my approach to clients is treated regardless of their status in the community. The ethical principles are to ensure that dignity and worth of the person, social justice, and importance of human relations, integrity and competency is a service that should be afforded to anyone. These core values have the same purpose as does my job as a Veteran Service Office with one exception and that our code of ethics has “Do no harm”.
The NASW Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers. (NASW, 2016) The NASW Code of Ethics is in place to help guide the everyday social worker and to foster a community of a trustworthy and purposeful practice. The Code
On many levels, I secretly desire to be this professional social worker that has experienced many different realms of social work practice. As I maneuver through my first couple days of field, many questions run through my mind as to what’s to be expected of a master’s level social work. Although, I’ve only had the pleasure of working children and families as a social worker; it has broaden my desire to want to know more.
Social Work practice guidelines are outlined by the NASW Code of Ethics, CSWE Educational Policy and Standards, and HIPPA. NASW Code of Ethics explain the missions values and core functions of how a social worker practices. It is a guide that is used to assist social workers through ethical dilemmas while emphasizing core values (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.). CSWE is a national association that maintains the standards of educational programs for social work degrees. This entity ensures education is supported by appropriate accreditation that focuses on curriculums to ensure full understanding of all required competencies and that the program is aligned with its goals and missions. (Council on Social Work Education,
In sum, social workers are required to apply ethical principles in practice. As a result, through my experience, ethics have played a significant role in my professional and personal roles. I will continue to strive to learn and gain skills in ethical principles. I plan to strive, grow and explore my own values and beliefs. In addition, I will continue to follow and employ the ethical guidelines for my clients and for myself as I progress in my role as a social
When developing the code, besides the input of stakeholders, I and my two partners will be directly involved in forming its content. We will consult our legal counsel to ensure we have avoided any potential legal problems. Six values that have been suggested as being desirable for codes of ethics include: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship (Ferrell, Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2008, p. 215). We will use these as a guide when developing our code, as it fits into our desire to have a values orientation for our ethic program.
There is a great necessity for the code of ethics in social welfare. The first code of ethics was “adopted in 1960” and was a single page (NASW,1998, para. 8). The last major adoption was in 1996, which was similar to what we see today, in the 2008 edition. In this changing profession it is absolutely necessary for a social worker to have something to reference to when there is an ethical dilemma, because they will transpire from time to time (NASW, 1998).
The core values recognized by the NASW's Code of Ethics are broad ethical principles set forth to which all person's in the social work profession should aspire to. These six values, on which the guiding principles and standards are based, are as follow service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationship, integrity, and competence. Again these are in no exacting order. Service is to help people in need and address social problems above the workers self-interest. This would include both paid and volunteer time. An illustration of this would be to help train employees of, and work with these employees at, a crisis call line. Social justice, the next value, is challenging the inequalities that is seen daily both in a micro, mezzo and macro realm. An example of all three could be in looking at AIDs patients. If a worker was working with a client who had the AIDs