Human Rights and Social Work The social work

Human Rights and Social Work

The social work profession shares a close relationship with human rights, because it adheres to values such as respect, dignity, and self-determination - values that are strongly embedded in the code of ethics for all practitioners. The client-social worker relationship has long been celebrated. The profession is highly regarded for challenging the inhumane treatment of vulnerable people, its commitment to challenge antioppressive practice, and most importantly, ensuring that vulnerable people are given a voice.

Social Work Principles which adhere to the values of Human Rights: Social workers serve human development through adherence to the following basic principles: • Every human being has a unique value, which justifies moral consideration for that person. • Each individual has the right to self-fulfillment to the extent that it does not encroach upon the same right of others, and has an obligation to contribute to the well-being of society. • Each society, regardless of its form, should function to provide the maximum benefit for all of its members. • Social workers have a commitment to principles of social justice.

Cont’ • Social workers have the responsibility to devote objective and disciplined knowledge and skill to work with individuals, groups, communities, and societies in their development and resolution of personal-societal conflicts and their consequences. • Social workers are expected to provide the best possible assistance without unfair discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, colour, language, religious or political beliefs, property, sexual orientation, status or social class. • Social workers respect the basic human rights of individuals and groups as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international conventions derived from that Declaration.

Cont’ • Social workers pay regard to the principles of privacy, confidentiality and responsible use of information in their professional work. • Social workers are expected to work with their clients, working for the best interests of the clients but paying due regard to the interests of others involved. • Social workers generally expect clients to take responsibility for determining courses of action affecting their lives. • Social workers make ethically justified decisions, and stand by them, paying due regard to The Ethics of Social Work – Principles and Standards adopted by the International Federation of Social Workers.

Role of Social Workers: Social workers deal with common human needs. They work to prevent or alleviate individual, group and community problems, and to improve the quality of life for all people. In doing so, they seek to uphold the rights of the individuals or groups with whom they are working. As a result of their particular role and responsibility in society, social workers are often the conscience of the community. Therefore, the value system, training and experience of social workers requires that they take professional responsibility for promoting human rights. Social workers need to work with other professions and nongovernmental organizations in action on human rights issues. As advocates for change, they are often in the forefront of movements for change and thus are themselves subject to repression and abuse.