Although social workers are expected to advocate for their clients, many social activities revolve around individual advocacy. Advocacy is the cornerstone on which social work is built. It is very important that it is framed in three sections of the NASW (2008) (pg. 61) Code of Ethics. Advocacy for those individuals, communities, and systems is not just a proposed activity for social workers it is a requisite. Social workers are ethically obligated to engage in social and political action that help seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources. NASW (2008) (pg. 27) The Code of Ethics further notes that social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice on practice and should advocate for changes
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.
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
In 1996, former President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PWORA), which brought reform to the welfare system. Under this act, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was replaced with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The enactment of this new program brought about several changes, including transferring the responsibility of welfare from the federal level to the state level, disentitlement to public assistance, and the implementation of work requirements to receive aid (Karger and Stoesz, 2014, p. 228). As social workers, it is important to understand this act and how it fits into our professional goals. While TANF does reflect many of the standards put in place by the National
Ethical responsibilities as a professional are extremely important to be a successful social worker. A social worker should be competent in their line for. They should know past and previous knowledge about their line of work. They should also be familiar with any related knowledge to their field. Many
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
This policy has many principles that social workers are obliged to, in order to inform and guide ethical practice. One principle specifically that relates to Aileen’s case is section 3.2 stating that, “social justice is a core obligation which societies should be called upon to uphold. Societies should strive to afford protection and provide maximum benefit for all their members” (AAWS, 2010). In addition, the AAWS Code of Ethics elaborates on the principle of social justice requiring all social work professionals to; promote social fairness by reducing barriers with special regard for those who are vulnerable or oppressed, advocate for and fight against inequalities and injustice, and work to eliminate all violations of human rights (AAWS, 2010). Relating back to Aileen’s case, if these principles within the policy of the AAWS Code of ethics were to be implemented and operated on all levels including the micro, messo and macro levels, will create a platform and equal opportunity for equitable and socially just outcomes to be achieved in all
As a part of a team asked to conduct an evaluation of supports available to foster parents within a large agency, I will be examining records, as well as collecting information from agency managers, social workers, and foster parents. In doing so, it is my obligation to reference the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to review the process of ethical decision making, and the specific provisions outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics on evaluation and research best practices. Key ethical issues that are likely to arise in this evaluation may include, not all members of the team agreeing on uniform evaluation process procedures that are in alignment with the NASW Code of Ethics. For example, a social worker who is bound to upholding
The NASW Ethical Principle of service is most relevant to the social problem of hunger because this principle covers a social workers primary goal to help people that are in need and to address the social problems (NASW Code of Ethics). Due to the tremendous amount of people who current live in poverty, not being able to afford a suitable amount food increased the amount of hunger around society. This suggests that the issue of huger should be addressed by social workers who have the amount of knowledge and skills to advocate for these clients. For a social worker to take the time of day to address these social issues and problems. Make a difference by taking it to a higher power. A social worker should also spend time by helping the population with no expectations of zero to little pay (NASW Code of Ethics).
An example of when I have violated someone’s confidentiality is when I told my sisters something that had happened to a good friend of mines. I assumed that my friend wouldn’t mind me telling my sisters, since they all know each other. My friend was in a situation where my roommates and I had to take her to the hospital. Even though I went to the hospital with her, and was by her side the whole entire time, looking back I should have not told my sisters about it. My friend was embarrassed about the situation, and did not talk about it until weeks later, and that should have been the first sign for me, that she was not comfortable with people knowing.
Moreover, this case should be analyzed based on the information provided by the NASW Code of Ethics. The ethical principle included in the NASW Code of Ethics (2008) states that “social worker’s primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems…Social workers seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner” (p.5). Suzanne’s social worker would only have to seek for Suzanne’s well-being because if Suzanne and Cindy get separated, they can lose contact, which would affect Suzanne 's emotions.
Social worker professions are guided by the professional body of Australia Association of Social Work code of ethics and practice standards (AASW, 2010). Thus, social workers should first have an understanding of their ethical code for practice when entering into a organisation. As the AASW (2010) states “social worker will uphold the ethical values and responsibilities of this code, even though employers’ policies or official may not be compatible with its provisions (AASW, 2010, p.33). Social worker should analysis organisation policies and procedures as these are the rules and responsibilities which the workers must compile too (McDonald, Craik, Hawkins & William, 2012) In addition, a social worker should must make sure the policy and polices compatible with the AASW code of ethics, as previous stated
Since the profession was recognized many concerns arose regarding the values and ethics of social workers. The key points of the NASW Code of Ethics, the CSWE Educational Policy and Standards, and HIPAA will be summarized. Some of the most challenging ethical issues facing social workers and the social work profession today, have been explored. The core values of the
In the NASW Code of Ethics, principle #2 is “social workers challenge social injustice.” Social Workers are change agents. They fight to break ethical, cultural, economical, and social walls of indifference. Because people are different and tend not to fit in with the rest of society, or at least with how the rest of society believes they should be like those individuals are excluded from society. They are discriminated against and ridiculed. If they aren’t the ‘right’ color, hold to the ‘right’ beliefs, live the ‘right’ life or come from the ‘right’ place they are treated as ineligible to live. Those people are torn down, shunned, and disgraced.