Introduction
This essay will analyse the conflicts inherent in social work practice, in terms of moral, and statutory duties and powers. To achieve this, the essay will have two distinct themes emanating from the case study. Firstly, by generally analysing the significance of legislation, and social work values, in considering the rights, responsibilities, freedom, authority and power fundamental to practice. Secondly, by critically applying relevant legislation and policies to the case study, with a distinct Welsh and anti-oppressive theme.
The case study demonstrates tension within legislation, and between legislation and social work ethics. Evident in, the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA98) Article 8 right to respect for private and family life, and Article 3 freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2006). Relevant to Mr C’s disclosure regarding daughter D. In relation to legal and ethical tensions, the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care (CoPP) stipulates in s.1 respect the views and wishes, and promote the rights and interests, of individuals and carers (Care Council for Wales, 2015). Furthermore, reflected in the Code of Ethics for Social Work principle 2 respect the right to self-determination (British Association of Social Workers, 2012). However, these social work values may feel challenged when applying duties and powers inherent in social work practice. For example, an approved mental health professional
This relates to the non –judgmentalism I received from my mother. This allowed me to feel comfortable with sharing my experience, and later reaching out to other family members. Code 1.02 Self-Determination, Code of Ethics (2008) states, “Social Workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This relates to my mother assisting me to become comfortable with sharing my experience. As well as, reach my future goal in obtaining outside help. Code 1.01 Commitment to Clients, Code of Ethics (2008) states, “Social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients’ interests are primary” (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This code goes against my experience with my psychiatrists. When entering her office, and disclosing my problem. She made me feel guilty, and allowed me to feel as though she was not there to promote my
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.
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.
The commitment to act ethically is an essential aspect of social work due to the effect it can have on the quality of the service offered to those who engage with us. Through group discussions in our foundations of social work practice I have become extremely ethically aware and now will always seek to ascertain and respect, as far as possible, each individual’s preferences, wishes and involvement in decision making. From discussions with my fellow classmates I have learnt to strive to respect and uphold the values and principles of the profession by making sure I promote and work towards the code of ethics wherever possible. This in turn enables me act in a reliable, honest and trustworthy manner having worked closely with service users in a professional setting and learned of their good and bad experiences with practitioners through the service user experience we undertook in class. I believe I am now in a good position to apply the social work ethical principles to my professional practice, in a way that seeks to empower my service users and enable me to emulate the best practice. In addition from reading social work journals and staying on top of news regarding the profession more generally I am knowledgeable about the value base of social work as a profession .
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
In the human services field it’s likely workers will have contact with the court and legal system. The differences in the human services profession and the legal systems can become challenging for workers. Such as dissimilarities in prerogatives and values, prove this challenge for human services workers (Kennedy, Richards, & Leiman, 2013). Human service work practice requires an understanding of social policy’s impact in specific areas. As practitioners grasping how theories concerning fundamental principals of social policy have implications for human services agencies and for the individuals who are the users of the services (Carson & Kerr, 2014). This paper will discuss a case observed at Beenleigh Magistrates Courthouse. It will also look at the multiple roles and responsibilities of Human Service professionals appearing in the legal system, as well as the importance of ethical writing and possible tensions between the legal system and human services profession.
There are many tools in place to help professionals and clients associate with the field of social work to ensure ethical practices and a basic set of values and legal boundaries to protect the professionals in the field as well as the community they serve. Three such tools are NASW Code of Ethics, the CSWE Educational Policy and Standards, and HIPAA. These organizations and laws are set into place to protect the and support both the social worker and the vulnerable populations social workers serve, one such population being minors who are in the precarious situation of being unable to consent for themselves, having parents who often are incapable of making decisions on their behalf and susceptible to dual relationships with their social
The journey towards the attainment of the Bachelor of the social work degree has been an enlightening and educational experience, as the individual is exposed to the realities of many social and political issues in the society. As a student, I ventured into the degree, with minimal insight as to how the degree can influence and shape the way I perceive the social world, and the way I relate these matters to myself. However, throughout my endeavour, which encompasses years of theoretical studies, and two intensive placements at two drastically different organisations, I believe I have accumulated the bare minimal knowledge to possess a solid foundation about the unfairness and inequality that people in disadvantaged conditions face. Social workers are predominantly found in welfare organisations which Howe (as cited in Limber, 2015) suggested largely influences the practice, direction and values of the social worker, and impacts on their ability to act autonomously (Lymbery, 2015). During my placements, there was a dominant theme that frequently stood out and enticed my attention. This was the accepted practice of focusing on the individual’s problem, as opposed to the social problems that existed and the lack of acknowledgement about the social restrictions of the human agency that limited self-determination. The realization that organisations were managed this way was important in ensuring that I made a proactive effort to understand and untangle the reasons behind such
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
Furthermore, my experience at SCD has enhanced my protracted experience of working with vulnerable adults with complex social and mental health issues in custodial and community settings. This experience as a Psychologist has proven invaluable in making defensible safeguarding decisions at SCD. I learned to examine the issues, prioritise, look beyond the issues, formulate complex presenting issues and make defensible decisions against the current legislation. I have learned how record strong and accountable decision making against the legislation whilst maintaining secure and safe data protection in line with statutory and legal duties. My learning outcomes are the balancing act between of Human Rights Act the statutory duty of care and how to manage the ethical dilemmas in a high paced environment.
“The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics has established values and principles to guide social workers’ professional conduct. Ethical behaviour comes from a social worker’s individual commitment to engage in ethical practice” (CASW, 2005). The CASW holds true to 6 core values i.e.; 1: Respect for Inherent Dignity and Worth of Persons, 2: Pursuit of Social Justice, 3: Service to Humanity, 4: Integrity of Professional Practice, 5: Confidentiality in Professional
In the beginning of both codes of ethics and statement of principles it gives a clear detail of what the social worker should be doing to furnish help the community. The same ideas are being shared on each separated document but are formatted in a different way. The preamble list six core values service, social justice, dignity and worth of person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence. These values are embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history and are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective. The preface just listed four bullets on how social workers across the world should reflect on the challenges and dilemmas that face them and make morally informed choices about how to react in each different case.
Consequently, in the professional literature, there is a wide gap to be filled in the need for a critical perspective within the profession. We feel that the important contributions made by outside groups- Gay liberation, the women’s movement, mental patients’ union, trade unions and tenants’ associations- reflect lack of confidence in social workers, usually with good reasons. It is not intended to demoralize those social workers who are themselves conditioned and controlled by the very institutional structures, in which they work, but to make them aware of contradictions, and to assist them to develop critical action.
In this essay I will be giving a brief introduction to the history of social work practice, by introducing the laws that contributed to its development. Explaining how the sub divisions divide into specialism 's within the variety of social work settings, using both public and private sectors to show understanding. Also, demonstrate knowledge of different legislation that has been introduced to social work practice over the past 25 years and why it is used in particular areas. Then to finalise using protection issues, how to justify why legislation was used by assessing the likely impact of results.
Law has come to play a very important part in social work practice. It can be said that the understanding of law underpins and provides duties and power, whilst understanding the statutory legal requirements is essential for effective, fair, anti-discriminatory practice (Brammer 2007). Due to the shear amount of laws and legislation that have been passed or updated over the last decade, the role of the social worker, metaphorically speaking could be said to have become somewhat of a chameleon, forever adapting to their legal environment, whilst trying hard to remain true to the traditional values of the role of a social worker. It is this conflict between law and social work values that will be analyzed in this paper. From looking at the values that underpin the modern day social worker and then looking at some of the main legislation relating to adult services such as the Mental Health Act 2007, the Community Care Act 1996, Mental Capacity Act 2005 the relationship between these Acts’ and how they sit with social work values will then be discussed.