Pdf ethics and value perspectives in social work stephen webb. The first section, preamble, summarizes the social work professions mission and core values. Guided by values that are distinctly set and abstract, along with a strict ethical code. Pdf chapter 3 values, ethics and principle researchgate. If youre thinking of starting a career as a social worker, its important to first understand the core values and ethics of social work.
Social work values, principles and ethics essay 21 words. Social work values are embodied in the professions national. Toward a new understanding of relationship in social work. Next, different strands of social work values are examined and ideas concerning social justice and valuing human diversity are explored. Principles of social work practice is the first textbook to deal exclusively and thoroughly with the significant principles of social work practice and methods that integrate these principles into the common base of practice. These codes help social workers identify professional obligations and legal conflicts of interest. Attention then turns to accountability, ethical codes and the difficulties posed by ethical dilemmas. These incorporate social work core values, social work code of ethics and a code of conduct. Oct 30, 2014 the british association of social workers is the professional association for social workers in the united kingdom uk.
An introduction to social work openlearn open university. The british association of social workers is the professional association for social workers in the united kingdom uk. Background ethical awareness is a necessary part of the professional practice of any social worker. The worker does not, persuade, manipulate or control the client to make decisions to conform to the workers preferences. Selfdetermination and a critical perspective in casework citeseerx. Social workers make a meaningful contribution to the betterment of society and improving the lives of individuals. Societal values can be similar to social work ethics, but they can also differ. Seven principles of the social work relationship felix biestek purposeful expression of feelings recognition of the clients need to express feelings freely worker listens purposefully worker neither discourages nor condemns the expression of feelings sometimes worker actively stimulates and encourages expression of feelings controlled emotional involvement the worker is sensitive to the. For example, they establish the moral foundation of the social worker s organization and they summarize the ethical principles used to set professional standards and guide social work practices.
Social work ethics and values pdf code of ethics states the values and ethical principles on which the profession is based. Its important to understand the professional value and ethics bases that underpin the social work profession itself. The national association of social workers nasw published the guidelines for social work students and practitioners. What follows is a listing of nine social work principles and brief description of each. The social work profession is governed by a set of principles of social work practice. The relationship is the soul of social casework, 3 biestek has said, the processes of study, diagnosis and treatment are the body of casework. It is important for the public to know how social work professionals view their tasks and what kind of support they can expect to get, beyond what is written in laws and other official regulations. Social work values and ethics 1517 words 123 help me. Therefore, a professional social worker, especially the caseworker, is required to be free from his personal standards, his attitudes and his phylosophical and ethical views, value and belief. Start studying felix biestek s 7 principles of a helping relationship. A good social worker is experienced as a friend and an equal macleod, 2008. Then, some ethical theories are outlined and their relevance to social work is considered. At the same time, they also may align with the ethics perfectly. Biestek was born in cicero, illinois and graduated from loyola university of chicago in 1938.
Explore the context in which professional practice operates and learn about the role of law and policy, and working in a diverse society. Having an acute awareness of ethical principles and how these sit alongside the personal and professional value base is an important asset as a social worker. Pdf indigenizing social casework principles in the light of. As you read principles of social work practice, you will heighten your sensitivity to the professional worker client relationship and its role as a primary instrument of positive change. Paternalism a value position that social are professions have bee accused of often adopting is paternalism, which originates from the latin pater, and means to act like a father, or to treat another person like a child. The jswve addresses ethical and values issues that encompass the full range of social problems and issues that social workers encounter. Thinking critically about selfdetermination journal of social work. Biestek criticises the historic tendency of social workers to judge peoples worthiness to receive help, but urges the social worker to maintain values and standards. Pdf social casework is a micro practice in social work profession.
Principle 5 social workers should make practice decisions that promote a better quality of life for all people communities, and individuals. When your book was first published, social work was considered an artful and valuebased. Discuss the implications of the above statement for social work practice and value of ethics for resolving dilemmas. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a code of ethics. Biesteks influential account of these traditional values. Code of ethics of the national association of social workers. These values are transformed into accepted practice principles for the purpose of informing our intervention with clients. These are essential beliefs and modes of behaviour every qualified social worker needs to embody to succeed in their career. Ethical awareness is a necessary part of the professional. The social worker is the instrument of change, and effective when he or she adopts the approach of ongoing introspection. The social workerclient relationship setsuko uchida i ntroduction. The casework relationship felix paul biestek snippet view 1957. The ethics of social work, principles and standards 1994.
Social casework or social work values have roots in the democratic social system. These contain certain ideas which are valuable to anyone engaged in social work practice. Compare the national association of social workers nasw code of. Moreover, the social worker is accountable should a. The ethics of social work principles and standards old document adopted by the ifsw general meeting, colombo, sri lanka, july 6 8, 1994.
Yet, others dismiss it as a catchphrase, professional jargon, and a practice. List of principles in clinical social work practice. The value of an ethical codewith ethical reflections and guidelines for the workis evident in a growing number of professional fields. The document ethics in social workan ethical code for.
The code is composed of thematic sections that outline a social workers responsibility to clients, colleagues, employers, and the profession in general. The association has a duty to ensure as far as possible that its members discharge their ethical obligations and are afforded the. It could be said that clientselfdetermination characterizes casework itself. Overall, the literature reveals that the dichotomy.
This essay will firstly discuss what values are and the value base of social work. Ethical quandaries that social workers face in practice specific to the social. Pdf indigenizing social casework principles in the light. The seven principles of social work flashcards quizlet. The code of ethics sets the values, principles and standards to guide social. Values in social case work the most basic value in social case work is the worth and dignity of every human being and the.
As a social worker, you may work on a macro scale, which might mean working for an organization that helps underdeveloped nations, or you may choose to work on a micro level, such as in a private practice providing individual counseling. Using this book as a guide, you can develop your own strategies for facilitating change and growth that will result in the satisfaction of longterm personal. Ethics in social work international federation of social. Social work values, principles and ethics essay 21.
Social workers should pursue an option that results in the least harm to those involved in the decision and its results. You will learn from case examples how to apply crucial ethical, personal, and methodological principles to different practice areas. There is an implied intention to act for the good of another person but often without that persons consent, or limited. These principles have become integrated into social work thought and practice and are often referred to as practice principles. These dynamic interactions, consisting of the back and forth movement of attitudes and feelings in three directions, never completely cease. It has percolated understandings of professions such as social work, where workers are encouraged to separate their personal from their professional selves. The code of ethics states the values and ethical principles on which the profession is based. Pdf values and ethics discourses in irish social work. Burton 1996 showed that there was a failure to recognise the unequal power relations between the social worker in control of provision of services and the service user who relies on the services.
Mar 15, 2014 the social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a code of ethics. Our own beliefs may go completely against the social work code of ethics. Biestek also adhered to the ancient greek aphorism acknowledging the need for the social worker to know thyself. Being in a social work field, ethical principles and values are significant. Felix biestek 1912 1994 was an american priest and professor who made significant contributions to the field of social work during its period of expansion following world war ii. His or her ability to act ethically is an essential aspect of the quality of the services offered to clients. The journal provides necessary historical perspectives on the development of social. You will learn from case examples how to apply crucial ethical, personal. This is why you need to identify your own values, learn what values you are expected to work to as a social worker, and decide how you situate yourself in relation to the. Social work professionals this ethical code is intended for social work profes. To deny a client the opportunity to express feelings is a refusal to deal with the total person. Examining the complexities of the social workerclient. Code of ethics of the national association of social workers overview the nasw code of ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers.
The social worker needs to recognise that the individual has human rights and freedom to voice their views. Social workers are continually aware of the professions mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner that is consistent with them code of ethics of the national association of social workers p. Pdf ethics and value perspectives in social work stephen. Case studies and exercises are included to assist social workers in reflecting on practice and to help reduce feelings of guilt and anxiety in making difficult ethical decisions.
What are the principles and practices of social work. Learn more about how ethics and values are an important guiding force for your practice. Biestek goes on to place greater value on the workerclient relationship specific to the social work profession by stating, a good relationship. Social work principles and values learning services cluster. Ethical awareness is a necessary part of the professional practice of any social worker. The values and ethics of the profession social work essay. Discuss the implications of the above statement for social work practice and value of.
Following is a summary of some of the major points from a. Seven principles of the social work relationship felix biestek purposeful expression of feelings recognition of the clients need to express feelings freely worker listens purposefully worker neither discourages nor condemns the expression of feelings sometimes worker actively stimulates and encourages expression of feelings controlled emotional involvement the worker is sensitive. The journal of social work values and ethics examines the ethical and values issues that affect and are interwoven with social work practice, research, and theory development. Moreover, the social worker is accountable should a boundary violation occur.
The social worker should demonstrate competence through continual learning and its relation to. Felix biesteks 7 principles of a helping relationship. An ethical principle in social work, which recognizes the rights. Due to the essay 1500 words constraint i look at the arguments for and against 1 of biestek 1961 7 traditional values and then look at 1 of the new values before looking at a radical social work value. Felix biestek 1912 1994 was an american priest and professor who made significant contributions to the field of social work during its period of expansion following world war ii biestek was born in cicero, illinois and graduated from loyola university of chicago in 1938.
It will then proceed to analyse the origin and evolution of my own values. This document was replaced by ethics in social work. This paper discusses the topic of ethics and ethical behavior, and why this is of such current interest to professions, including social work, and likely to remain so. To always act ethically with total commitment is essential in order to offer a high. In social work it derives from the casework tradition, and was most famously expounded by felix biestek, a jesuit priest and social work teacher at loyola catholic university. This thoughtful and supportive book considers social work ethics and values in the context of current pressures and changes. Pdf discourses surrounding values and ethics are central to the professional. There are areas within the social worker client relationship when boundaries can become blurred.
Examining social work values and my personal values and development in my essay i will be looking at what social work and values are. Social work, as the quallity assurance agency academic benchmarks point out, is a moral activity in which practitioners make and implement difficult decisions about human situations that involve the potential for benefit or harm qaa, 2000, 2. Examining social work values and my personal values and. It is precisely lack of these values which prohibits practice of social work in socialist societies like china, etc. This agenda setting text explores a broad range of value perspectives and their impact on and contribution to social work thinking on ethics. Followed by reflection on them and how they relate to the value base of social work. A good understanding of how social inequalities are produced and reproduced within social worker and service user relationships is central to being a competent social worker. Including new perspectives, such as islam, and drawing on international contributors, this is essential. The study of values and ethics is a central feature of social work education. The nasw code of ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the. Values and ethics the value base of social work and the development of my own values. The social worker has an ethical duty to act in the best interest of the client and is responsible for establishing and maintaining boundaries. Although the code of ethics followed by social workers serves as a guide for. Social workers ethical responsibility to colleagues the term colleagues in this section shall include personnel within and outside of the organisation fellow workers, students, supervisors, supervisees, volunteers, grassroots personnel, or others directly involved in a professional relationship with the social worker.