Chapter 5 Values and Ethics in Social Work

Chapter 5 Values and Ethics in Social Work An Empowering Profession Seventh Edition Brenda Du. Bois & Karla Miley This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: • Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; • Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; • Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Values and Ethics • Values – Belief systems – Define desired outcomes • Ethics – Concerned with what is right – Expressed as standards of conduct – Microethics – directs practice – Macroethics – guides social policy Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Value Base of Social Work • Focus shifts from morality of individual clients to moral imperatives of social work profession • Social work values reflects beliefs about – Nature of human kind – Change – Social justice – Intrinsic dignity and worth of humans Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Practice CSWE EPAS 2. 1. 8 • Still today, many people blame others personally for their difficult life situations and regard them as unworthy of receiving help. • How does this conservative focus on individual morality influence the development and implementation of social welfare policies? Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Value Context of Social Work • • • Value system of society Values of social work profession Value system of agency Values of client system Value-laden nature of personal and social problems • Values of social worker Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Diversity in Practice CSWE EPAS 2. 1. 4 • The value system of a social service agency is reflected in its mission, staffing patterns, structure, physical environment, funding, and eligibility requirements. • How do agency values reflect culturally responsive programming for diverse client population groups? Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Purpose of Codes of Ethics • • • Prescribe expectations for professional conduct Guide decision-making Provide standard for assessing competence Regulate professional behavior Evaluate professional performance Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Work Codes of Ethics • NASW Code of Ethics defines ethical responsibilities – – – to clients to colleagues in practice settings as professionals to the social work profession to the broader society • IFSW and IASSW - Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical Practice CSWE EPAS 2. 1. 2 • Codes of ethics are adopted to reflect professional principles and prescribe standards for practice. • What purposes do professional social work codes of ethics serve for practitioners, clients, and the general public? Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical Principles for Social Work • Acceptance • Individualization • Purposeful expression of feeling • Nonjudgmentalism • Objectivity • Controlled emotional involvement • Self-determination • Access to resources • Confidentiality • Accountability Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical Practice CSWE EPAS 2. 1. 2 • Social work practice principles include acceptance, individualization, purposeful expression of feelings, nonjudgmental attitudes, objectivity, controlled emotional involvement, self-determination, access to resources, confidentiality, and accountability. • What are the potential ethical dilemmas associated with each of these social work practice principles? Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.