Chapter Six Values & Ethics in Social Work Practice Social Work & Social Welfare: An Invitation (3rd ed.)

Minute paper Identify some of your personal values (e.g., service, hard work, fairness). Pick one and consider: (a) why this value is important to you and (b) a time in your life when you really lived this value. Personal Values list: https://www.akpsi.org/admin/document.doc?id=486 What behaviors did you exhibit that support this value?

Key Ideas Values and ethics Core values Ethical dilemma Problem-solving method

Values System of beliefs, principles, and traditions that guide behaviors and practices Values are a society’s system of beliefs, principles, and traditions that guide behaviors and practices Ethics are a system of principles that guide decisions by individuals and groups Values are inner beliefs and ethics are guidelines for action and behavior Each of us possess beliefs (values) that inform the way in which we interact with the world around us (ethical standards and behaviors)

Core Social Work Values Service Social justice Dignity and worth of the person Importance of human relationships Integrity Competence

Ethics A system of moral principles that guide decisions Values are a society’s system of beliefs, principles, and traditions that guide behaviors and practices Ethics are a system of principles that guide decisions by individuals and groups Values are inner beliefs and ethics are guidelines for action and behavior Each of us possess beliefs (values) that inform the way in which we interact with the world around us (ethical standards and behaviors) A system of moral principles and perceptions about right versus wrong and the resulting philosophy of conduct that is practiced by an individual, group, profession, or culture Barker, 2003

Job-Related Value Conflicts Often faced in mandated/involuntary settings Include issues of unethical conduct on the part of co-workers These are conflicts about the nature of your work with your clients Social workers, especially in mandated settings, sometimes find themselves in “pseudo-cop” situations in which they are torn between complying with their duty to an agency, court, government entity, or the police and their duty to support the client Unethical conduct on the part of co-workers can also create conflicts, forcing social workers to choose between personal loyalty and ethics A courtroom in Sarasota, FL. Image by Clyde Robinson, used under Creative Commons license.

Religious Value Conflicts Can occur when the religious beliefs of the client, social worker, and/or agency conflict Many people are drawn to social work because of a religious or spiritual calling Social workers are often employed by faith-based organizations Conflict can occur when the religious beliefs of the client and the social worker impede their ability to work together, or when the religious beliefs of the social worker and the agency conflict For example, consider a situation in which the worker’s position on abortion is pro-life and the client is seeking an abortion. How could the social worker handle this ethically? A statue at a Buddhist art gallery in Nepal. Image by Wonderlane, used under Creative Commons license.

Resource Conflicts Conflicts may occur between values that social workers have been previously exposed to and values that they encounter in social work classes Heated debates often occur about the distribution of limited resources Some social workers may feel that clients do not deserve “handouts” and should have to work “like the rest of us” for their living Conflicts may occur between values that social workers have been previously exposed to and values that they encounter in social work classes Woman counting her money in Chinatown, NYC. Image by Mo Riza, used under Creative Commons license.

Value Conflicts Identify the conflicting value and consider the conflict’s impact Determine if you can continue to work with the client or should refer the client to another professional While personal values are important, in practice, professional social work values take precedence One way to approach value conflicts with clients: Identify the conflicting values and consider the conflict’s impact If possible, frame the problem so that the conflict is irrelevant Clarify the connection between the value differences and the reason the client has presented to you Begin the intervention by addressing issues that do not include the value conflict Engage in a discussion with the client to determine if the differences will negatively affect the working relationship Determine if you can continue to work with the client or if you should refer the client to another professional

The NASW Code of Ethics Written in 1960, greatly modified and expanded since Serves as a guide for social work practice http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs /code/default.Asp The NASW Code of Ethics was written in 1960 and has been greatly expanded and modified since then The Code of Ethics reflects responsibility to both individual clients and the larger community Although the Code of Ethics is intended as a guide, it also serves as a mechanism for monitoring social workers’ competency and ethics Ethical violations can be reported to a state chapter or the national office for investigation Violations can result in social workers being sued in civil court or having licensure revoked

Confidentiality Absolute confidentiality Relative confidentiality Duty to report Absolute confidentiality means that all information is confidential, while relative confidentiality means that some information can be disclosed Our clients have relative confidentiality, which means that social workers have a duty to share or report certain information: Abuse or neglect of children, older adults, and people with disabilities must be reported to your state agency Clients who threaten to harm themselves or others must be reported to the designated authority in your state These reporting obligations vary by state, and can sometimes involve difficult issues like HIV and domestic violence Photo by iphonepics via Flickr, used under Creative Commons license.

Exercise Values and ethics in social work practice