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

2. 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:
What behaviors did you exhibit that support this value?

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

4. 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)

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. The NASW Code of Ethics
Written in 1960, greatly modified and expanded since
Serves as a guide for social work practice
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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

12. 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.

13. Exercise
Values and ethics in social work practice