When working in a field of expertise the experts in that area need to know what defines that field. Social work, with its roots over a hundred years old, started out simply offering assistance to others, has grown and changed, and is currently reconnecting with its roots (Bisman, 2004). Bisman (2004) emphasizes the importance of being an advocate of justice and keeping the field focused on the “social” part of social work. This push to keep social work focused on the needs of others defines social work today. Social work focuses on providing aide to the needy and increasing awareness of those that are oppressed. 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
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).
It can be argued that the entire profession of social work is based on human values that help shape society’s perception of what is acceptable and what is not. Social workers are, for example, constantly regulated by the legal system, which prevents them from abusing their power. However, the legal system is man-made, and is based on values that determine its regulations. Laws, after all, are created by representatives of the common people, a privilege which can be easily abused, and often is. This further emphasizes the fact that social work is a value based practice, which makes understanding what values are and how to constantly apply them in practice even more important to ensure a safe and secure environment free of discrimination
The National Association of Social Workers conducted two research trips to Cuba in 2011, the first team focused on health and child welfare system and the second team focused on social services for older adults. Both groups were introduced to Cuban society and their achievements and challenges as a country, and social work in Cuba. Cuba has many great achievements, for example it “devotes almost a quarter of its gross domestic product to education and health care – nearly twice as the percentage of the United States” (Herman, Zlotnik, & Collins, 2011). While this is amazing and much needed, Cuba also has its challenges as a country. The economy in Cuba continues to weaken, due to the trade embargo with the United States but also with the fall of it’s former ally the Soviet Union. Therefore there is a shortage in housing, food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and other basic supplies (Herman, Zlotnik, & Collins, 2011). This becomes an issue with social workers in Cuba because The Cuban Ministry of Public Health is the largest employer of social workers, training them in health care (Herman, Zlotnik, & Collins, 2011). If there is a shortage amongst the health care system with medicine and medical supplies, how are the social workers taking care of their people. Another challenge that faces social workers in Cuba, one of the first groups who migrated out of Cuba was those who worked agricultural sectors. Therefore food rationing has been
In the movie The Preacher kid, Angie King is a character who plays preacher daughter. By her father been a preacher, she has values and rules that she must obey. Somewhere down the road Angie King decide that she doesn’t want to be label as a preacher child and follow her dad values and rules. Mrs. King wants to join a traveling gospel show; however, her dad doesn’t want her to join traveling gospel group. Mr. King knows that she can’t handle all the circumstances and situations that she may occur out there on her own. King decides to leave her family and friends behind. Once Angie gets out on her own she forgets all the values, morals and rules that her dad instill in her. Angie starts using drugs and start having intercourse with the
The Code of Ethics of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) outlines ethics and standards that social work professionals are to uphold in their work. These ethics and standards guide decisions and actions within the social work field. Social workers must work to ensure that all work done falls into line with the NASW Code of Ethics. It is here that one can find the most important values in working with clients. Namely, the National Association of Social Workers (2008) mentions the use of “[c]ultural competence and [s]ocial diversity.” As America is made up of various cultures and customs, it is important for workers to respect these
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
1. GOAL STATEMENT – To enhance Ohio law and equality among transgender people by allowing the amendment of legal documents to reflect the current sex after undergoing surgical procedures to change one’s sex.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (2016), “social workers help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges: poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, divorce, loss, unemployment, educational problems, disability, and mental illness. They help prevent crises and counsel individuals, families, and communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life”. Through the lens of a professional, these are critical qualities and experiences that assist social workers in understanding people and the community, which they live in. In addition, it is very significant for social workers to identify and familiarize themselves with the neighborhood’s history, culture, customs, and issues and most importantly, the people. By being conversant with the background information, it will help social workers communicate more effectively while in the process of building and establishing relationships with the people in the community.
“Values are the principles and standards of conduct that you deem good, right, or desirable” (Thomlison, 2016, p. 10). In providing the best services possible, I agree that social workers should be able to put their personal values aside. In the book, Thomlison states that our ideals are embedded into our communication, behavior, and interaction with our clients (Thomlison, 2016). In working with our clients, we have to keep in mind of the client’s rights to their own ethical decision making and what the client deems is suitable for their well-being. The services social workers provide must be centered toward the client’s personal values and what is best suited for their recovery.
There are many outlooks involving values that form social work through ethical, personal, and professional. As far as ethically, social work can become very challenging for the social worker themselves. This is because of the ethical dilemmas emerge in certain cases when social workers have to choose between their duties, values, and rights. These arises due to some of the obligations that are expected of them colliding with
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
The social work profession consists of the six core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These core values are portrayed within the roles of this profession by assessing and evaluating client’s needs, advocating for improving community resources, managing crisis situations, providing therapeutic support, and referring client’s to beneficial services. As well as, developing a dual client relationship to strengthen the helping process and treating each client ethically. Social workers are constantly progressing their professional expertise. They do this
I have always had a strong desire to become a Social Worker. My whole life I have been described as a social butterfly. I take every opportunity I can get to be social, which is why no one in my family had any worries about my ability to make friends when I moved away from home to California State University Monterey Bay. I take advantage of every workshop, every speaker, and every event that my school offers in order to gain more insight on the Social Work profession. One of the reasons why I chose my concentration to be Social Work, is because in all of my relationships, I somehow always find myself taking the role as someone who everyone looks to for advice. Between friends coming to me for life advice, or to simply get my opinion on a
Per the code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.”The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of individuals who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty”(). Social workers who work in the field, help promote social justice, and social change on many different levels to help empower people to improve their lives for the better. These workers are aware of ethnic and cultural multiplicity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice.
Improving the lives of individuals is the objective of the social work profession. There is six values within National Association of Social work Code of Ethics (NASW): Service, Social Justice, Dignity, and Self-worth of the person, Importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values are for social workers and their work with the client(s). Regardless of one’s race, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation each value benefits all individuals. Social workers should always practice professional values. Clients suffer from when the social worker does not uphold values. Code of Ethics is established for all social workers to obey and follow them. In this this paper, I will discuss the how “Importance of Human Relationship” will be the easiest to uphold and how “Social Justice” will challenge me as a social worker working with future clients, community and organizations.