The obligation of a social worker is to be aware of individual differences as well as cultural and ethnic diversity while treating each client in a kind and courteous manner (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p. 412). In relation to the ethical principle of Clients who Lack Decision Making Capacity (1.14) the obligation of a social worker is to protect the rights of individuals who have been deemed “legally incompetent”. Everything done by the social worker should be in the best interest of that client (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p. 402). The core value of Social Justice is important do address because it ties in to many parts of the book. Social change efforts from the social worker are necessary in order to promote knowledge and cultural competency about the injustices and discrimination of individuals incarcerated in Crownsville hospital as well as the injustices and discrimination of Henrietta and the rest of her family (Kirst-Ashman, & Hull, 2012, p.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics is a guide for social workers, defining the fundamental mission of enhancing human well-being, addressing basic needs, and empowering vulnerable populations (Reamer, 2013). As I begin my journey as a social worker, this ethical code carries a profound meaning that shapes my professional individualism and influences my actions in both the workplace as well as my personal life. This essay will analyze my interpretation of the NASW's Code of Ethics, how I will utilize it in my practice as a social worker, and possible obstacles ahead. The NASW's Code of Ethics underscores the core mission of social work: promoting human well-being and addressing basic needs, especially for those vulnerable and oppressed (Reamer, 2013).
The National Association of Social Work created a code of ethics that guides social workers on what core values that they should uphold during work (NASW, 2008). When discussing social welfare policy’s, the NASW code of ethics can be applied to immigration due to social justice being one the core values. Social justice consists of fighting for rights for individuals who lack the access to resources. The immigrants that are discussed in the articles, have a lack of social justice due to the deportation. This is where social workers need to step in adjust the privileges and distributions within society.
Ethics and Self-Care in Social Work Practice Ethics guide professional conduct, especially in social work, where practitioners navigate complex human issues. The NASW Code of Ethics outlines six core values foundational to social work practice, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW, 2021; Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2023). These values reinforce ethical decision making and practice standards, equipping social workers to navigate dilemmas and uphold integrity (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2023). Aligning personal values with these standards is crucial for promoting well-being and empowerment, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in social work practices.
Case Analysis Using Code of Ethics Sheanny Vazquez Ramapo College of New Jersey Social Work and the Code of Ethics In the social work profession, individuals are guided by a professional code that dictates the need in advocating change towards equality, justice, human rights and the comfortability of all. This includes the most in need within a society such as the disadvantaged, the poor, and oppressed individuals (Social Work Profession). It is common knowledge that all individuals have a basic human right to live decent and fulfilling lives, yet unfortunately, the world is built around the fact that not all people have equal access to food, shelter, education, and safety (Role of a Social Worker). To be a social worker is to empower those in need and provide the strategies necessary to eventually achieve their goals and live their lives better than their supposed potential.
Section 1 of the NASW (1999) Code of Ethics outlines social workers’ responsibility to clients. The principle of “commitment to clients” explains that the client’s best interest is primary. Social workers have an obligation to promote the client’s well-being. The exception to this is a legal mandate to do otherwise, or in some instances when the well-being of another individual or greater society takes a higher importance. In those exceptional cases, the client needs to be aware of the limitations of the social workers’ commitment to him or her (Rothman, 2005).
The organization that I have chosen that is relevant to social work, and is aligned with social work values as articulated by the NASW Code of Ethics is The Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP). The DCPP is New Jersey’s child protection and welfare agency, who assist children and their families who may be struggling. The DCPP provides safety, well-being and the success of children, adolescents, families, and communities. The DCPP helps parents get engaged with services that address the issues they may be facing that allowed for the division’s involvement. The DCPP is responsible for investigating any allegations of child abuse or neglect, and if it is necessary then arranging for the child’s protection, and the family’s treatment.
For example, social workers who work in policy change can lobby for laws that benefit those who are under the poverty line. A skill that is needed by social workers working with communities is to understand the culture of that community. It is imperative for a social worker not to intrude on a community, but instead embrace their culture and help to further the goals that they have as a
Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43).
Therefore, social workers must be sensitive about these role privileges and use them positively to improve the image of our profession and the living standards of our clients. When we negatively use these privileges, it can destroy the image of our profession and worsen the living condition of our clients and this will totally be against the principles that guide our practice, one of which state that the social worker must do no harm. Other forms of oppression that social workers can exhibit as we carry out our roles are: racism oppression, classism oppression, Intersectional oppression, religion oppression, sexuality oppression, heterosexual oppression etc. (Pease 2010 p. 12).
The social worker demonstrated cultural competence by understanding that her clients have different cultural background. There is a need of trust between the social worker and client. These will aid her to understand that people has different beliefs and upbringings. She recognized that self-awareness is important by working out her beliefs, values, and personal biases. Through the process of listening, she showed empathy and understanding without constantly evaluating or judging.
Social workers abide by ethical principles that are based on six core values which include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships,
What is the NASW? Why did the NASW create a Code of Ethics for social workers? The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) developed a code of values which is intended to serve as a model or guide to professional behavior for social workers. The NASW Code of Ethics includes a set of core values which lay the foundation, policies, and mission for the social work office which the foundation of social work is based upon Workers, N. A. (2008).
How you, as a social worker, might interpret the needs of Paula Cortez, the client, through the two cultural lenses you selected. How you, as a social specialist, may decipher the requirements of Paula Cortez, the customer, through the two social focal points you chose. Cultural competence in social work is the primary guideline of social work education and practice. According to Carpenter (2016) As the population in the United States continues to diversify rapidly, the requirement for culturally competent social work administrations is similarly as essential as it ever has been.
Values and Ethnics The NASW code of ethics core social work values is heavily active until this day. The code of ethnic its self is a set of guidelines for the ethnically practice of social work. The core value found in the code of ethics is Social justice, service integrity, importance of human relationship, dignity and worth, and competence. This code of ethics reflexes the relationship of the worker to the client and the worker. These codes of ethnic are placed to improve and establish rules and boundaries from social workers to clients and the importance of the ethnical value its place for the helping of the social worker.
