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).
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.
Go to the Code Next, it is important for the social worker to consult the NASW Code of Ethics. In this circumstance, the major ethical principles at play are dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, and integrity. Janet respects
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.
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).
The article “Ethics and Value Dilemmas in Social Work” is written by Suncica Dimitrijevska and Vladimir Ilievski, published by Polirom & Universitatea Bucureşti - Dept. de Sociologie is Asistenţă Socialăby 2016.The article talks about the ethics which a social worker needs to follow and the dilemmas which they face while they deal with the different cases in their day to day life. A social worker 's decision never gets influenced by the clients age, culture, psyche or psychological abilities. This article discusses about various topics like, ‘ethical dilemmas during client support, values and knowledge in social work, values dilemmas of the clients encountered by the social workers, areas of ethical dilemmas facing social work and steps for solving the ethical dilemmas’(Dimitrijoska, Ilievski- 2016, p.49).
Respect the rights and dignity of service users (CORU 2019). Adhering to ethical principles ensures that social care workers act in the best interests of the service users, maintain confidentiality, respect autonomy and exercise professional duty of care. Additionally, professional boundaries in social care relationships are essential for maintaining ethical conduct. These boundaries help to establish clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour and interactions between social care workers and their service users, ensuring that the relationship remains focused on the service user’s needs and best interests. Maintain high standards of personal conduct and behaviour (CORU 2019).
The National Association of Social Workers provide guidance, information, advocacy and other resources for social workers. The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics clearly provides social work professionals with ethical guidelines to be successful in the profession. The Code of Ethics gives social workers a strong foundation to the core values, in order to make decisions about ethical issues with their clients and colleagues on an everyday basis. Understanding and implementing the principles of the Code of Ethics is essential in the social work profession. The Code of Ethics consists of a set of core values for the social work profession.
Case Scenario Practicing in a school setting, there are numerous individuals in the same building looking to positively impact and change students’ lives. Interdisciplinary staff consistently work together to meet the various needs of the diverse student population. As the social worker, I am privy to the strengths and weaknesses of clients as they are presented to me by the student and his/her family and shared in interdisciplinary team meetings upon the consent to do so by the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s). Teachers are only present and involved in the interdisciplinary meetings when a student assigned to their class is being discussed.
The Code reviews broad ethical principles that reflect the profession's center values and builds a set of particular ethical standards that should be used to manage social work practice. 3. The Code is meant to help social workers recognize relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. 4. The Code provides moral standards to which the general public can take the social work profession responsible.
Social workers main ethical responsibility is to ensure that the patient is receiving the proper care that they are entitled and that the patient is the main
The second ethical dilemma is that social work practitioners and their clients have different personal values. Despite social workers best efforts to keep their feelings in check and to respect differences, being confronted with situations in which their
An ethical dilemma happens when two or more ethical principles conflict with one another. Ethical dilemmas are problematic situations in which it is not clear which choice will be the right one. The CP is stuck as to what to do next because there is not just one outcome that will satisfy the ethical principles as stated in the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) Code of Ethics (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2012). According to the SASW (2017), the core values of social work are embedded in the ethical responsibilities, which are relevant to the professional activities of social workers.
Social workers are there to help meet the basic needs of human, also with the need of helping encourage, mentoring, and empower human struggles in society and poverty. The code is designed for many reasons. It identifies core values in which a social worker mission is based, the code summarize broad ethnic principle such as; challenge injustices, respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person, behave in a trustworthy manner, and help people in need and to address social problems. The code is generally designed to help people with relevant needs to there every day life. These codes help apply better and relationship with the worker to client.
Social Work Values & Ethics and Supervision The mission of the social work profession is deeply-rooted in a set of core values. The core values are encompassed by social workers throughout our profession 's history, are the foundation of a social worker 's distinct purpose and perception. These value are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. This group of core values reflects what is unique to the social work profession.
