Social Work Ethics & Values

What is Social Work? One of the features of a profession is a set of principles which its members have to be committed and must put into practice. Sarah Banks defines social work values as: A set of fundamental moral/ethical principles to which social workers are/should be committed. (Banks, 2001, p. 6) The British Association of Social Workers issued a revised Code of Ethics for Social Work in April 2012. This emphasises that social work is committed to five basic values: Human dignity and worth Social justice Service to humanity Integrity Competence. (BASW, 2012 )

Values and Ethics Social work operates within a framework of legislation and government policy The Codes of Practice and Ethics make sure the workforce is regulated and enables practitioners to work to the highest possible standards. They exist to protect and promote the safety of people who use social work services

BASW Practice Principles Empowering people, including by tackling discriminatory practice among colleagues Challenging the abuse of human rights, including by not colluding in practices such as the detention of child asylum seekers Using the authority of their role in a responsible manner in accordance with human rights principles Being prepared to blow the whistle on bad practice Taking responsibility for their own practice and continuing professional development Taking responsibility for the professional development of others, including students and colleagues

The Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers A list of statements that describe the standards of professional conduct and practice required of social service workers as they go about their daily work. The codes are a key step in the introduction of a system of regulation for social services in the four countries of the UK. The Councils are responsible for the registration of those working in social services. The register is a public record that those registered have met the requirements for entry onto the register and have agreed to abide by the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Service Workers. As a student social worker you will have criteria to guide your practice and be clear about what standards of conduct are expected.

Codes Protect the rights and promote the interests of service users and carers Strive to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of service users and carers Promote the independence of service users while protecting them as far as possible from danger or harm. Respect the rights of service users while seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or other people Uphold public trust and confidence in social services Be accountable for the quality of their work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving their knowledge and skills

Values of Social Work Individualization. Acceptance. Non-Judgemental Attitude. Self-determination. Confidentiality. Respect for the Person. Congruence. Empathy Unconditional Positive Regard. Equality. Social Justice. Partnership. Citizenship. Empowerment. Authenticity. Are there themes here?

Examine your Social Work practice You are required to use the standards and the codes to examine your own practice and to look for areas in which you can improve. Examine your own attitudes and assumptions about social work Can you identify how you see these as being part of the day to day work with service users? The codes sets out a series of values under the headings social justice, human rights and professional integrity, They were updated in2012 and set out 17 practice principles with which members are expected to comply with These are principles that should guide a social worker's conduct. They help to guide action and formulate standards in relation the day today roles and tasks of workers

Standards in Social Work Education Link to ethics Standard 1 -Prepare for, and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances. Standard 2 - Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice, with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals. Standard 3 – Assess and manage risk to individuals families , carers , groups, communities, self and colleagues. Standard 4 Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice Standard 5 – Manage and be accountable with supervision and support, for your own social work practice within your organisation. Standard 6 Support individuals to represent and manage their needs, views and circumstances.

Values are the core of social work

Actions are Value based Values and ethics are in the centre of the above diagram. It implies social work has a core moral dimension which needs to be part of all activities undertaken This means that Values also will create debate and conflicts As some values are intrinsic values and are good in themselves e.g. personal well-being Others are Instrumental values which are linked to ends E.G laws which uphold rights

Values create Dilemmas Social workers bring their individual values but also recognise institutional and professional values must be upheld at all times. The main conflicts will be with your personal and professional values therefore an understanding of who you are is essential to overcoming this These can be in conflict and you must find ways to resolve these Sometimes it can be difficult to implement the core values in the context and constraints of the organisation However such conflicts and tensions have to be recognised and you will have to learn to manage these

Values create personal and professional dilemmas Example Personal Values Organisational Professional Values Values

The definition of Social Work espoused by the International Federation of Social Workers contains reference to human rights and social justice so it is not surprising that the Code of Practice promotes these too Social work is based on the respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and the rights that follow from this The maintenance of core values and principles is central to the professional identity of Social Work Social workers should uphold and defend each person's physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual integrity and well-being.

Difference between statements and acts: You need to put the codes and ethics into action social workers should challenge negative discrimination on whatever grounds recognise diversity whether it be individual, family or community based challenge unjust policies and work in solidarity to challenge the conditions that contribute to social exclusion, stigmatisation or subjugation and work towards an inclusive society (International Federation of Social Workers), 2004).

Self –determination Value dilemmas are part of the job we do and so in respecting the right to self-determination; Social workers should respect and promote people's rights to make their own choices and decisions irrespective of their values and life choices provided this does not threaten the rights and legitimate interests of others It is not about enforcing our own values on others

Participation To be accountable and effective helpers – Social Workers should promote the right to participation Social workers should promote involvement and participation of all people using their services in ways that enable service users to be empowered in all aspects of decisions and actions effecting their lives.

BASW (2012) The Code of Ethics for Social Work: Statement of Principles Human Rights Value: Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth of all people Principles: Upholding and promoting human dignity and well-being 2. Respecting the right to self-determination 3. Promoting the right to participation 4. Treating each person as a whole 5. Identifying and developing strengths

BASW (2012) The Code of Ethics for Social Work: Statement of Principles Social Justice Value: Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice Principles: 1. Challenging discrimination 2. Recognising diversity 3. Distributing resources 4. Challenging unjust policies and practices 5. Working in solidarity

Professional Integrity BASW (2012) The Code of Ethics for Social Work: Statement of Principles Professional Integrity Value: Social workers have a responsibility to respect and uphold the values and principles of the profession and act in a reliable, honest and trustworthy manner Principles: 1. Upholding the values and reputation of the profession 2. Being trustworthy 3. Maintaining professional boundaries 4. Making considered professional judgements 5. Being professionally accountable

Treating the whole person To be an effective helper we must treat each person as a whole Social workers are concerned with the whole person within the family, community and social and natural environments Social Workers should seek to recognise all aspects of a person's life and see their life through their eyes.

Develop strengths and empower Identifying and developing strengths Social workers should focus on the strengths of all individuals, groups and communities by doing so they can promote empowerment of an individual and personal responsibility for change.

Importance of professional ethics If social workers do not integrate the core values then social workers can lose their professional identity By not promoting and adhering to them the boundary between what social workers do and other professionals do may be eroded

Conclusion The inability to operate according to such core principles may also in part account for the fact that many social workers leave the profession The importance of maintaining a set of core values for social work also contributes to the notion of the professionalisation of social work Thus it has its own distinctive values which demarcate it from other professions It gives the worker an identity as well as guides their actions and service provision