The Anti-Poverty Practice Guide for Social Work, IFSW and other international social work organisations, Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth, Practice, policy and education groups (PPEGs), Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for Independents, Umbrella service companies & tax avoidance scheme investigations, Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) 2020, Support for newly-qualified social workers, The international definition of social work (2014)*, Professional Support Service: Access support, Professional Support Service: Frequently Asked Questions, Copyright © 2021 British Association of Social Workers. Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work. … The Code is also supported by other BASW policy documents. Social workers should communicate effectively and work in partnership with individuals, families, groups, communities and other agencies. The NASW Code of Ethics offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision-making and everyday professional conduct of social workers. Being professionally accountable Social workers should be prepared to account for and justify their judgements and actions to people who use services, to employers and the general public. The Code of Ethics states the values and ethical principles on which the profession is based. Social workers should contribute to the education and training of colleagues and students by sharing knowledge and practice wisdom. The secondary research method I used was semi-structured interviews with social work professionals. Social workers need to acknowledge the impact of their own informal and coercive power and that of the organisations involved. For good reasons, the ethics of care perspective is compatible with the social work profession's overriding concern about human well-being, relationships, and interdependency. Social workers should ascertain and respect, as far as possible, each individual’s preferences, wishes and involvement in decision making, whether or not they or other persons have powers to make decisions on the person’s behalf. They should value and respect the contribution of colleagues from other disciplines. Social workers need to explain the nature of that confidentiality to people with whom they work and any circumstances where confidentiality must be waived should be made explicit. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students regardless of their specific functions or settings. BASW expects all employers to provide appropriate professional supervision for social workers and promote effective team work and communication. Social workers should only take actions which diminish peoples’ civil or legal rights if it is ethically, professionally and legally justifiable. This is a method of qualitative research which varies markedly in its theoretical framework, structure, process and orientation from those employed in quantitative methodology (Sarantakos 1997). Cross Sector Attachments. Social work is a service-based profession, your duties lie in helping others, so … First published: January 2012 Search for other … The professional association for social work and social workers, The Anti-Poverty Practice Guide for Social Work, IFSW and other international social work organisations, Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth, Practice, policy and education groups (PPEGs), Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for Independents, Umbrella service companies & tax avoidance scheme investigations, Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) 2020, Support for newly-qualified social workers, Professional Support Service: Access support, Professional Support Service: Frequently Asked Questions, Copyright © 2021 British Association of Social Workers. Recognising diversity Social workers should recognise and respect the diversity of the societies in which they practise, taking into account individual, family, group and community differences. Aspects of control and dominance are inevitable in the work. Social workers should give people the information they need to make informed choices and decisions. In everyday usage, ‘values’ is often used to refer to one or all of religious, moral, cultural, political or ideological beliefs, principles, attitudes, opinions or preferences. social work. As part of the social work values outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, each social worker must practice within his or her scope of competence and avoid misrepresenting his or her skills or experience to potential clients. Ethical awareness is fundamental to the professional practice of social workers. Social work grew out of humanitarian and democratic ideals, and its values are based on respect for the equality, worth, and dignity of all people. Respect for human rights and a commitment to promoting social justice are at the core of social work practice throughout the world. So, for example, ‘social workers should respect the autonomy of service users’ is an ethical principle; whereas, ‘social workers should not disclose confidential information to third-party payers unless clients have authorised such disclosure’ might be regarded as an ethical standard or rule. People who use social work services may be individuals (children, young people or adults), families or other groups or communities. In social work, ‘values’ can be regarded as particular types of beliefs that people hold about what is regarded as worthy or valuable. Ethical behaviour is at the core of every profession. Ethics and values in social care research Ethics and values are a fundamental part of the way people work in social care, so much so that in social work they are one of the nine capabilities within the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). The Association has a duty to ensure as far as possible that its members discharge their ethical obligations and are afforded the professional rights necessary for the safeguarding and promotion of the rights of people who use social work services. * The definition was revised in 2014. Share. Social workers should strive to create conditions in employing agencies and in their countries where the principles of the Code are discussed, evaluated and upheld in practice. The Code of Ethics states the values and ethical principles on which the profession is based. They should engage in ethical debate with their colleagues and employers to share knowledge and take responsibility for making ethically informed decisions. About us. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.". Social workers should take into account appropriate codes of practice, legislation, governance frameworks, professional practice and training standards in each UK country, provided they are consistent with the Code of Ethics. The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Ethics and Values is a comprehensive exploration and assessment of current and future issues facing social work practice and education. Social workers should reflect and critically evaluate their practice and be aware of their impact on others. Treating each person as a whole Social workers should be concerned with the whole person, within the family, community, societal and natural environments, and should seek to recognise all aspects of a person’s life. What are the roles of a Social Worker? These include counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, and family treatment and therapy as well as efforts to help people obtain services and resources in the community. On the occasion of National Social Work Week 2005, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) adopted a new Code of Ethics and published Guidelines for Ethical Practice to serve as a companion document to the Code. The Association has a duty to ensure as far as possible that its members discharge their ethical obligations and are afforded the professional rights necessary for the safeguarding and promotion of the rights of people who use social work services. Upholding the values and reputation of the profession Social workers should act at all times in accordance with the values and principles of the profession and ensure that their behaviour does not bring the profession into disrepute. Social work values are embodied in the profession’s national and international codes of ethics. Social workers should use the authority of their role in a responsible, accountable and respectful manner. The Association commends and promotes the Code of Ethics to all social workers, educators and employers of social workers in the UK. The NASW Code of Ethics continues to be the most accepted standard for social work ethical practice worldwide. They should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society and the avoidance of harm. She is currently researching ethical issues in youth work and the changing nature of professionalism in local authorities. BASW’s Code of Ethics first adopted in 1975, has been revised and updated on several occasions. Promoting the right to participation Social workers should promote the full involvement and participation of people using their services in ways that enable them to be empowered in all aspects of decisions and actions affecting their lives. Social workers have a responsibility to apply the professional values and principles set out above to their practice. Social workers should promote and contribute to the development of positive policies, procedures and practices which are anti-oppressive and empowering. Social workers should assist people to understand and exercise their rights including making complaints and other remedies. As such, social workers are change agents in society and in the lives of the individuals, families and communities they serve. In the context of professional practice, the use of the term ‘belief’ reflects the status that values have as stronger than mere opinions or preferences. With ethical implications and considerations arising at each stage of the research process, engaging with the wide range of issues and ideas can often prove a challenge. The British Association of Social Workers is the professional association for social workers in the United Kingdom (UK). Professional practice standards – very specific guidance relating to professional practice, for example: ‘declare a bequest in a client’s will’; ‘advertising should not claim superiority’. Maintaining professional boundaries Social workers should establish appropriate boundaries in their relationships with service users and colleagues, and not abuse their position for personal benefit, financial gain or sexual exploitation. Interventions also include agency administration, community organisation and engaging in social and political action to impact social policy and economic development. Professional social work is focused on problem solving and change. Challenge ethics and values that negatively affect practice You should constructively challenge colleagues when you believe their ethics and values are negatively affecting their methods in social work practice. In codes of ethics principles are often divided into two kinds: Ethical principles – general statements of ethical principles underpinning the work, relating to attitudes, rights and duties about human welfare, for example: ‘respect for the autonomy of service users’; ‘promotion of human welfare’. Principles are essential norms in a system of thought or belief, which form the basis of reasoning in that system. The Code comprises statements of values and ethical principles relating to human rights, social justice and professional integrity, followed by practice principles that indicate how the ethical principles should be applied in practice. Social work is an interrelated system of values, theory and practice. The Code of Ethics for Social Work Values and ethical principles wwwww British Association of Social Workers 9 2.2 Social justice Value Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work. Copyright © British Association of Social Workers, No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form without the written permission of the copyright owner, The professional association for social work and social workers, All BASW members sign our Code of Ethics, which has underpinned social work practice since 1975. The following is an outline of the etiology of its creation and major points. of ethics in social work within the Irish context. Sections 1 and 2 of this document draw on the background, definition and statement of ethical principles of the IFSW/IASSW (2004) document, with amendments including the addition of ‘professional integrity’ as a value alongside human rights and social justice. They should analyse and evaluate the quality and outcomes of their practice with people who use social work services. Correspondence to: Sarah Banks, Community and Youth Work Studies Unit, Durham University, 45, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HN, UK. They should challenge the abuse of power and the exclusion of people from decisions that affect them. Ethical considerations for social workers The considerations for social workers are based on existing professional standards and codes. Upholding and promoting human dignity and well-being Social workers should respect, uphold and defend each person’s physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual integrity and well-being. Brendan Wood. Ethics of social work don’t work in councils Help social workers serve the law, not their employers Academic Michael Preston-Shoot points to the areas of learning that need improvement if child... By Michael Preston-Shoot on June 18, 2010 in Child safeguarding, Children, Legal, Workforce. They should record only relevant matters and specify the source of information. Rather, by outlining the general ethical principles, the aim is to encourage social workers across the UK to reflect on the challenges and dilemmas that face them and make ethically informed decisions about how to act in each particular case in accordance with the values of the profession. Social work interventions range from primarily person-focused psychosocial processes to involvement in social policy, planning and development. These decisions are not always easy – especially when two guiding principles come into conflict. Useful Tips. Rationale: Social workers often practice within institutions or organizations that have goals, policies, or environments that are not driven by social work values. Given that social workers constantly make moral judgements when they discern whether something is morally right or wrong, over the years, social work writers on ethics have argued for the importance of moral philosophy for social work (Goldstein, 1987; Gray, 1995, 1996; Siporin, 1983). Exceptions to this may only be justified on the basis of a greater ethical requirement such as evidence of serious risk or the preservation of life. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students regardless of their specific functions or settings. "Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Social workers should develop and maintain the attitudes, knowledge, understanding and skills to provide quality services and accountable practice. Reflect on recent decisions you’ve made Social work practice addresses the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. The ethical practice principles apply across the UK but they are not intended to be exhaustive or to constitute detailed prescription. Identifying and developing strengths Social workers should focus on the strengths of all individuals, groups and communities and thus promote their empowerment. Senior Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam. Author: The Policy, Ethics and Human Rights Committee Professional ethics are at the core of social work. In solidarity with those who are dis-advantaged, the profession strives to alleviate poverty and to work with vulnerable and oppressed people in order to promote social inclusion. Goldstein (1987) referred to this as the ‘neglected moral link’ in social work practice. It offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision-making and everyday professional conduct of social workers. Their ability and commitment to act ethically is an essential aspect of the quality of the service offered to those who engage with social workers. Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and other related UN declarations on rights and the conventions derived from those declarations. The term ‘social work values’ refers to a range of beliefs about what is regarded as worthy or valuable in a social work context (general beliefs about the nature of the good society, general principles about how to achieve this through actions, and the desirable qualities or character traits of professional practitioners). Values and ethics in Social Work’ is an essential source for student social workers. Although social work is a profession laden with contradictions, the primary task within the social work profession is to ensure that the directives and principles enshrined in social work ethics, call on social workers to establish human rights and willingly be able to challenge unjust principles (Allan et al 2009). The Code of Ethics for Social Work BASW expects employers to have in place systems and approaches to promote a climate which supports, monitors, reviews and takes the necessary action to ensure social workers can comply with the Code of Ethics and other requirements to deliver safe and effective practice. Email: policyadmin@basw.co.uk The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. Working definitions of ethics and values are given in the Appendix. Standards can also be divided into two kinds, although often they are not clearly distinguished in codes of ethics: Ethical standards or rules – some general ‘do’s and don’ts’, sometimes framed as ‘standards’ for example: ‘do not permit knowledge to be used for discriminatory policies’; ‘protect all confidential information’.