social work ethics and values essay

Ethics and Ethical Values in Social Work and Their Meaning for International Social Work

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• Kristin Sonnenberg 7  

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The chapter introduces a broad definition to ethics and values in professional social work and sums up the main theoretical approaches to lay the foundation of the understanding and knowledge of social work ethical values. Furthermore, key documents on an international level will be introduced and their function and meaning as guidelines discussed. At the end of this part, examples from the Middle East area that are members of IFSW (2019) and Kurdistan-Iraq are given with regard to social work values and professional status. As a conclusion, the relevance of shared values and reflection for everyday work within international social work will be summed up.

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International Social Work and the Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles

Emerging Ethical Voices in Social Work

For further discussion see the publication of Banks and Nohr 2012 , that offers a broad selection of cases and commentaries of practicing social work ethics around the world .

Example: By Bentham’s definition, everyone counts for one and no one for more than one; Mill argues that we should aim for the greatest good for the greatest number of people; these two principle conflict with each other ( utility and justice as fairness ) if, e.g. action 1 produces a large amount of good (happiness) for two people and none for eight; and action 2 produces slightly less total happiness, but distributed it equally between ten people (p. 51).

The Social Work Action Network, www.socialworkfuture.org , places ‘social justice’ as a key value.

In her work Banks offers a well-structured table to contrast principle and character-based approaches, see 2012. p. 70.

DBSH = German Professional Association for Social Workers and Social Pedagogues.

BASW = British Association of Social Work.

First version in 1976 (Baum 1996 , p. 18).

Her earlier works list four functions, the last one listed above is new, see Banks 1995 , pp. 73–89; Banks 1998 , p. 221.

The profession itself is still in a pioneer phase since the introduction of the social work studies in 2014/15 in Slemani. The first BA Social Work studies in Iraqi-Kurdistan were established at the University of Salahadin in Erbil in 2008/09, see Ghaderi and Saleh Karim 2019 , p. 177). At other universities, social work is part of sociology, e.g. at the University of Dohuk (see UoD 2019).

https://www.socialwatch.org/node/831 , accessed: October 7, 2019.

https://www.uob.edu.bh/en/index.php/colleges/college-of-arts/social-sciences/102-ba-in-sociology , accessed: October 7, 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Cause/Social-Workers-Syndicate-in-Lebanon-210432256016003/ , accessed 08.10.2019.

ibid. Lebanon facebook page, ‘social responsibility’ is listed twice within the original source.

https://www.iaswg.org/

Paper prepared by Salah Sedeeq Saeed Director of Access to Justice Program, Erbil Office, 2016, unpublished pdf version.

Banks, S. (1995). Ethics and Values in Social Work . London: Macmillan.

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DBSH (Eds.). (2014). Berufsethik des DBSH. https://www.dbsh.de/fileadmin/redaktionell/pdf/Sozialpolitik/DBSH-Berufsethik-2015-02-08.pdf . Accessed 12 Dec 2019.

Ghaderi, C., & Saleh Karim, L. (2019). Social Work with refugees in Kurdistan Region in Iraq. In M. Pfaller-Rott, A. Kallay, & D. Böhler (Eds.), Social Work with migrants and refugees (pp. 163–185). Ostrava: University of Ostrava.

IASSW & IFSW (2004). Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training. https://www.-aiets.org/global-standards-for-social-work-education-and-training/ . Accessed 14 Oct 2019.

IFSW & IASSW (2014). Global Definition of Social Work. https://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social-work/global-definition-of-social-work/ . Accessed 27 Aug 2019.

IFSW & IASSW (2018). Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles. Long version, 27.04.2018. https://www.ifsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Global-Social-Work-Statement-of-Ethical-Principles-IASSW-27-April-2018-1.pdf , Accessed 27 Aug 2019.

Payne, M. (1996). What is professional Social Work? Birmingham: Venture Press.

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Evangelische Hochschule Bochum RWL, Bochum, Germany

Cinur Ghaderi

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Luqman Saleh Karim

Niyan Namiq Sabir

Zhiya Abbas Qader

Lisa Marie Dünnebacke

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Sonnenberg, K. (2021). Ethics and Ethical Values in Social Work and Their Meaning for International Social Work. In: Ghaderi, C., Sonnenberg, K., Saleh Karim, L., Namiq Sabir, N., Abbas Qader, Z., Dünnebacke, L.M. (eds) Social Work at the Level of International Comparison. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-30394-5_13

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Core Values in Social Work

Social workers help people handle day-to-day challenges and overcome behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), an organization that supports social workers and develops professional standards and social policies, social work’s primary mission is to enhance the well-being of all people, with a focus on those suffering the effects of oppression, poverty, and vulnerability.

As COVID-19, economic uncertainty, and social and political unrest continue to impact individuals, the demand for social workers grows. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites child abuse prevention, an aging population, and mental health and substance abuse treatment as factors supporting a projected 13% growth rate for social worker positions during 2019-2029.

What is the Social Work Code of Ethics?

The 1996 NASW Delegate Assembly approved the social work Code of Ethics , with revisions made in 2017. Codified as a resource for social work values and professional conduct, the code consists of four sections: a summary of the core values and mission of social work; a guide to navigating ethical dilemmas and issues; a description of the ethical principles that inform social work practice; and an outline of the ethical standards binding social worker conduct.

The Code of Ethics sets a high standard of conduct for social workers and provides the basis for the public and profession to hold social workers accountable.

The Importance of a Code of Ethics in Social Work

The NASW places social work ethics at the profession’s core and lists six purposes of its Code of Ethics:

• Identification of core social work values
• Summary of broad ethical principles and specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice
• Identification of conflicting professional obligations and ethical uncertainties
• Provision of ethical standards to which the public can hold social workers accountable
• A pathway for new social workers to the profession’s ethical principles and standards, mission, and values
• Articulation of standards to which members of the profession can hold social workers accountable

The Code of Ethics applies to all practitioners, along with students, who learn about social work values while pursuing their bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees on campus or through distance education .

NASW Core Values in Social Work

Like most professionals, social workers adhere to a set of core values that guide their interactions with clients, help practitioners understand their obligations to their clients, and assist in resolving conflicts and ethical dilemmas that may arise. The six social work values contained in the code’s ethical principles provide the framework.

Social workers use the knowledge, skills, and values acquired through training and experience to address social problems and help people in need. Social workers place service for their clients above their self-interests, which may include offering pro bono assistance from time to time.

2. Social Justice

Social workers are often tasked with challenging social injustices, particularly for clients living in poverty and facing such issues as discrimination and unemployment. Social workers must exhibit sensitivity to culturally and ethnically diverse populations and assist them in accessing resources, services, access to opportunities, and information that helps combat oppression.

3. Dignity and Worth of the Individual

Social workers treat each client with dignity, care, and respect, while enabling clients’ abilities and opportunities to improve their own circumstances. Social workers also hold an obligation to the broader society and strive to resolve conflicts and remove obstacles through social responsibility.

4. Importance of Human Relationships

The importance of human relationships guides social work and affects personal progress and societal change. Social workers take a purposeful approach to building partnerships that promote positive interactions, strong relationships, and well-being at the individual, family, social group, organization, and community levels.

5. Integrity

Trust occupies a central and crucial role in social work. Clients and society alike benefit most when social workers act in concert with their profession’s ethical principles and standards, mission, and values. By adhering to ethical practices, social workers conduct themselves with honesty and integrity.

6. Competence

Social workers carry a responsibility to act within their competency level and pursue continuous professional development. The NASW provides numerous resources for social workers to increase their professional knowledge, enhance and apply their skills, and contribute to the knowledge base of social work.

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Paula Hannon, LCSW, received her Master’s in Social Work degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004. She interned with the Department of Children and Families. She has been a School Social Worker for the past 17 years proactively advocating for child welfare. She has worked 16 of those years at an alternative dropout prevention school. She has maintained a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate since 2004 and is a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM), 2019.

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1.2 Values, ethics and anti-oppressive practice

As a profession in the United Kingdom, social work requires a specific qualification and registration with a professional regulatory body. Without this, people cannot call themselves ‘Social Workers’. Each of the four nations of the UK has a different regulatory body, each with its own set of standards and codes of practice/conduct that all registered social workers have to adhere to. In Wales, for example, social care workers must ensure their practice is informed by the National Occupational Standards for social work [ Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. ( Hide tip ) ] and underpinned by Social Care Wales’ Codes of Professional Practice

To begin with, it is helpful to look at what ‘values’ are, where they come from, the context in which social work values have arisen and how they are being put into practice.

What are social work values?

Traditionally, the values that underpin social work have been central to its practice and what makes it distinctive among other professional groups. Maintaining behavioural codes and standards of practice/conduct aimed at protecting the public are undoubtedly essential, however, social work values are perceived to be more than adhering to a set of rules. Due to the types of situations social workers encounter and must deal with, they also have to explore personal aspects of their value base and be aware of how their values affect the work they do. In this way their professional identity and standards of professional integrity inform the complex and difficult situations they deal with (Wiles, 2012; Banks, 2010).

Banks (2010) suggested that in the education of social workers there needed to be consideration of:

• A commitment to a set of values, the content of which relates to what it means to be a ‘good person in a professional role’ and/or a ‘good professional’.
• An awareness that the values are interrelated to each other and form a coherent whole and that their interrelationship is what constitutes the overarching goals or purpose of the profession.
• A capacity to make sense of professional values and their relationship to the practitioner’s own personally held values.
• The ability to give a coherent account of beliefs and actions.
• Strength of purpose and the ability to implement these values.

Social work values are not then considered as a mechanistic adherence to rules and regulations but will involve the exploration of your personal value base and motivations to work with people who may be vulnerable or disadvantaged in some way. However, there are broad themes that are consistently felt to represent the value base of the profession. In 2012, the British Association of Social Workers issued a revised Code of Ethics for Social Work that emphasised its commitment to three basic values:

Human rights – respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Social justice – a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work.

Professional integrity – a responsibility to respect and uphold the values and principles of the profession and act in a reliable, honest and trustworthy manner. ( BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work - Statement of Principles , p. 8).

Ethics and accountability

In reading the statements of standards of professional values it may be hard to think of how they could be in any way problematic for you. It is likely you will think you are going to respect everyone you work with, or that you will always be reliable, honest and trustworthy. However, you will note that a BASW values statement is contained within the Code of Ethics. Ethics is one aspect of values, and one way of understanding the term is that it is about the resolution of professional moral dilemmas. The BASW code, for example, also notes that social workers:

• have to work with conflicting interests and competing rights
• have a role to support, protect and empower people, as well as having statutory duties and other obligations that may be coercive and restrict people’s freedoms
• are constrained by the availability of resources and institutional policies in society.

Social workers frequently play an important part in resolving such moral dilemmas, for example, when making decisions involving risk, protection and restriction of liberty. The way in which you act in these situations should be guided by something beyond your personal beliefs alone. You have to be aware of the publicly stated values of your agency and make skilful judgements based on your accumulated knowledge and experience. Ethical considerations are rarely the responsibility of one worker alone, however, and agencies’ policies and structures of accountability offer both guidance and a standard against which your practice can be measured. Accountability, therefore, is the process through which employers and the public can judge the quality of individual workers’ practice and hold them responsible for their decisions, actions and inactions.

Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice

Exploring personal and professional values for social work practice does not only relate to the individual ways in which service users are treated. Social work also has an inbuilt social perspective. This is an appreciation that opportunities and life chances are also influenced by wider factors than personal qualities of, for example, motivation or intelligence. By way of further example, if you were born into a poor family you would be more likely to remain poor and die earlier (Marmot, 2008). If you are a young Black or disabled person in your early twenties in the UK, you are more than twice as likely not to be in employment, education or training (NEET) as young white and non-disabled people (EHRC, 2010).

There are no straightforward explanations for these statistics; however, insofar as social workers work with people who appear to be largely disadvantaged by such societal forces, understanding how these forces may affect individuals becomes a key concern for social work. This understanding then becomes integral to an approach that seeks to be anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive.

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Social Work Values: The Moral Core of the Profession

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Cynthia Bisman, Social Work Values: The Moral Core of the Profession, The British Journal of Social Work , Volume 34, Issue 1, January 2004, Pages 109–123, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bch008

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This paper argues that an emphasis on the profession’s knowledge base has come at the expense of attention to social work's values and mission. The discussion examines the relative importance of knowledge, values and skills in an effort to understand the shifting emphases of the profession within a social and historical context. The consequences of these shifts for the profession and for its relationship to society are also considered. Concepts from the intellectual struggles of social work and from an interdisciplinary perspective suggest ways to ground the profession’s skills and knowledge in its values of human dignity, service to humanity and social justice. At its core, social work must respond to the moral imperative of caring for the neediest among us. This entails re-claiming and building on the commitment of early social workers ‘to work with forces that make for progress . . . to forward the advance of the . . . common people’ (Richmond, 1899, p. 151). The paper concludes that for social work to have a future, the profession must take pride in its moral core, define its contemporary meaning and work for the social welfare in ways that are relevant to both social workers and non-social workers.

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International Federation of Social Workers

Global Online conference

Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles

July 2, 2018

Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles: 

This Statement of Ethical Principles (hereafter referred to as the Statement) serves as an overarching framework for social workers to work towards the highest possible standards of professional integrity.

Implicit in our acceptance of this Statement as social work practitioners, educators, students, and researchers is our commitment to uphold the core values and principles of the social work profession as set out in this Statement.

An array of values and ethical principles inform us as social workers; this reality was recognized in 2014 by the International Federation of Social Workers and The International Association of Schools of Social Work in the global definition of social work, which is layered and encourages regional and national amplifications.

All IFSW policies including the definition of social work stem from these ethical principles.

Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that facilitates social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing . http://ifsw.org/get-involved/global-definition-of-social-work/  

Principles:

• Recognition of the Inherent Dignity of Humanity

Social workers recognize and respect the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings in attitude, word, and deed. We respect all persons, but we challenge beliefs and actions of those persons who devalue or stigmatize themselves or other persons.

• Promoting Human Rights

Social workers embrace and promote the fundamental and inalienable rights of all human beings. Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth, dignity of all people and the individual and social /civil rights that follow from this. Social workers often work with people to find an appropriate balance between competing human rights.

• Promoting Social Justice

Social workers have a responsibility to engage people in achieving social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work. This means:

3.1 Challenging Discrimination and Institutional Oppression

Social workers promote social justice in relation to society generally and to the people with whom they work.

Social workers challenge discrimination, which includes but is not limited to age, capacity, civil status, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, nationality (or lack thereof), opinions, other physical characteristics, physical or mental abilities, political beliefs, poverty, race, relationship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, spiritual beliefs, or family structure.

3.2 Respect for Diversity

Social workers work toward strengthening inclusive communities that respect the ethnic and cultural diversity of societies, taking account of individual, family, group, and community differences.

3.3 Access to Equitable Resources

Social workers advocate and work toward access and the equitable distribution of resources and wealth.

3.4 Challenging Unjust Policies and Practices

Social workers work to bring to the attention of their employers, policymakers, politicians, and the public situations in which policies and resources are inadequate or in which policies and practices are oppressive, unfair, or harmful. In doing so, social workers must not be penalized.

Social workers must be aware of situations that might threaten their own safety and security, and they must make judicious choices in such circumstances. Social workers are not compelled to act when it would put themselves at risk.

3.5 Building Solidarity

Social workers actively work in communities and with their colleagues, within and outside of the profession, to build networks of solidarity to work toward transformational change and inclusive and responsible societies.  

• Promoting the Right to Self-Determination

Social workers respect and promote people’s rights to make their own choices and decisions, provided this does not threaten the rights and legitimate interests of others.

• Promoting the Right to Participation

Social workers work toward building the self-esteem and capabilities of people, promoting their full involvement and participation in all aspects of decisions and actions that affect their lives.

• Respect for Confidentiality and Privacy

6.1  Social workers respect and work in accordance with people’s rights to confidentiality and privacy unless there is risk of harm to the self or to others or other statutory restrictions.

6.2 Social workers inform the people with whom they engage about such limits to confidentiality and privacy.

• Treating People as Whole Persons

Social workers recognize the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of people’s lives and understand and treat all people as whole persons. Such recognition is used to formulate holistic assessments and interventions with the full participation of people, organizations, and communities with whom social workers engage.

• Ethical Use of Technology and Social Media

8.1 The ethical principles in this Statement apply to all contexts of social work practice, education, and research, whether it involves direct face-to-face contact or through use of digital technology and social media.

8.2 Social workers must recognize that the use of digital technology and social media may pose threats to the practice of many ethical standards including but not limited to privacy and confidentiality, conflicts of interest, competence, and documentation and must obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to guard against unethical practice when using technology.

• Professional Integrity

9.1 It is the responsibility of national associations and organizations to develop and regularly update their own codes of ethics or ethical guidelines, to be consistent with this Statement, considering local situations. It is also the responsibility of national organizations to inform social workers and schools of social work about this Statement of Ethical Principles and their own ethical guidelines. Social workers should act in accordance with the current ethical code or guidelines in their country.

9.2 Social workers must hold the required qualifications and develop and maintain the required skills and competencies to do their job.

9.3 Social workers support peace and nonviolence. Social workers may work alongside military personnel for humanitarian purposes and work toward peacebuilding and reconstruction. Social workers operating within a military or peacekeeping context must always support the dignity and agency of people as their primary focus. Social workers must not allow their knowledge and skills to be used for inhumane purposes, such as torture, military surveillance, terrorism, or conversion therapy, and they should not use weapons in their professional or personal capacities against people.

9.4 Social workers must act with integrity. This includes not abusing their positions of power and relationships of trust with people that they engage with; they recognize the boundaries between personal and professional life and do not abuse their positions for personal material benefit or gain.

9.5 Social workers recognize that the giving and receiving of small gifts is a part of the social work and cultural experience in some cultures and countries. In such situations, this should be referenced in the country’s code of ethics.

9.6 Social workers have a duty to take the necessary steps to care for themselves professionally and personally in the workplace, in their private lives and in society.

9.7 Social workers acknowledge that they are accountable for their actions to the people they work with; their colleagues; their employers; their professional associations; and local, national, and international laws and conventions and that these accountabilities may conflict, which must be negotiated to minimize harm to all persons. Decisions should always be informed by empirical evidence; practice wisdom; and ethical, legal, and cultural considerations. Social workers must be prepared to be transparent about the reasons for their decisions.

9.8 Social workers and their employing bodies work to create conditions in their workplace environments and in their countries, where the principles of this Statement and those of their own national codes are discussed, evaluated, and upheld. Social workers and their employing bodies foster and engage in debate to facilitate ethically informed decisions.

Spanish translation – Traducción Español

Chinese Translation 全球社會工作倫理原則聲明 (繁體字譯本)

The Global Statement of Ethical Principles was approved at the General Meetings of the International Federation of Social Workers and the General Assembly of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) in Dublin, Ireland, in July 2018. IASSW additionally endorsed a longer version:  Global-Social-Work-Statement-of-Ethical-Principles-IASSW-27-April-2018-1

National Code of Ethics

National Codes of Ethics of Social Work adopted by IFSW Member organisations. The Codes of Ethics are in the national languages of the different countries. More national codes of ethics will soon be added to the ones below:

• Canada | Guidelines for ethical practice
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Social Work Code of Ethics

The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics is a set of values, principles and standards for social workers to adhere to and reference in order to guide decision making and conduct. Because ethical decision making arises frequently in social work, there are not always easy answers. Any given situation can have nuances and idiosyncrasies that bring a social worker from black and white to the grayest of areas. Ideally, a social worker can apply this set of ethics to a situation in order to make an informed and appropriate decision or judgment.

If the primary goal of a social worker is to help people improve the quality of their lives and meet their basic human needs, then a social worker’s essential task is personal, social, political, economic and more. Social workers are advocates for social justice and change, working on behalf of their clients to improve the environmental forces that create, contribute to and address quality of life.

Social Work Core Values

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) defines the mission of the Code of Ethics as being rooted in a set of core values. The core values are:

• Social Justice
• Dignity and Worth of the Person
• Importance of Human Relationships

The NASW uses the core values to build a balance that responds to and aims to improve on the complexity of the human experience.

The code is divided into different sections that outline the specific responsibilities of a social worker. This includes social workers’ ethical responsibilities: to clients, to colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession and to the broader society.

It’s important for social workers to have the Social Work Code of Ethics because the nature of their work can be very personal and directly plants them into the lives of their clients.

Applying the Social Work Code of Ethics

At the heart of social work is the idea of responsibility. Social workers help their clients to take responsibility for their own lives and respond to or get out of bad situations. Though the NASW’s Code of Ethics doesn’t guarantee ethical behavior from social workers, it does provide a set of guidelines and language that other social workers, employers, organizations and agencies can use in order to judge a social worker’s behavior or response to a situation.

In this way, the Social Worker Code of Ethics can be used in a peer-review process. The Code of Ethics in social work is used by professionals as a landmark and touchstone of ethical practice. Social workers’ commitment to the code ideally results in upholding it and performing their duties according to the core values.

Most of the standards explained by the NASW are enforceable guidelines for professional conduct. However, some are aspirational and can be interpreted in different ways based on any number of influences. It’s important to have guidelines spelled out and agreed upon by the social work profession so that every individual social worker can behave and react accordingly.

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Core Values in Social Work

My core values are compassion, empathy, and respect. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and has the right to be heard and understood. I also think it is essential to be open-minded and respectful of others, even if we disagree with them.

My fundamental morals were instilled in me at a young age by my parents. They taught me that it was essential to always be kind and understanding towards others, no matter who they were or what they had done. I remember one time in elementary school; I fought with another student. My parents sat me down and talked to me about how it was essential always to try and see things from the other person’s perspective and always to be respectful, even when I didn’t agree with someone. Those ethics have stayed with me throughout my life and have been a guiding force in my career as a social worker. I have seen firsthand how important it is to be compassionate and respectful towards others, especially during tough times (Jay Miller et al.,2020). In my work with clients, I have often seen how a simple act of compassion can make all the difference in someone’s life. I remember one client, in particular, going through a tough time. She had been through a lot of trauma and struggled to make ends meet. I sat with her and listened to her story, and I could see how much she needed someone to be there for her. I didn’t try to fix her problems or give her advice; I just listened and offered my support. That simple act of compassion meant the world to her, and I am so glad I could be there for her in her time of need. I believe they are some of the most important values we can hold as individuals and as a society. Too often, people quickly judge and criticize others without taking the time to understand their situation (Hagues et al.,2021). If we can all learn to be a little more compassionate and understanding towards others, it would make the world a better place.

My basic principles align with the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. I believe that all people deserve compassion and empathy and should be treated with respect. These values are essential in social work because they provide a foundation for helping others. Social workers should be concerned and understanding and always respect every person’s dignity and worth. For example, the Strengths Perspective emphasizes recognizing clients’ strengths rather than focusing solely on their weaknesses. This aligns with my value of compassion, as it requires social workers to see clients in a more positive light (Jay Miller et al.,2020). Additionally, the Ecosystems Perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex web of factors that impact clients’ lives. This aligns with my value of empathy, as it requires social workers to see the world from their client’s perspectives and understand their challenges. The code of ethics specifically mentions the need for social workers to show compassion and empathy towards clients and to treat them with respect and dignity.

My main principles align with community effort ethics. However, I think there are areas where my values may diverge slightly. For example, social work values may emphasize social justice and advocacy more than my morals (Loughran, 2018). Additionally, social work values may place a greater emphasis on working with diverse populations and those who are most vulnerable. In comparison, my ethics may focus more on working with people struggling with addiction or mental health issues. Overall, though, I think my core values align pretty closely with public work values.

As a social employee, I value my central standards. I am interested in working with diverse populations and plan to work in a clinical situation in the future (Hagues et al.,2021). I have had practicum and volunteer experiences working with clients with mental health issues, which has helped me understand these values’ importance in social work. I believe that using these values can help my clients feel understood and respected and work towards their goals.

These values have been a part of my life since I can remember. I was raised in a household where my parents emphasized the importance of caring for others. As I grew older, I saw firsthand the difference that compassionate and empathetic people could make in the lives of those around them. This inspired me to pursue a career in social work, where I could help others more directly (Hagues et al.,2021). While these values have led me to where I am today, I recognize that they can also pose challenges. Compassion fatigue is a natural phenomenon, and it is essential to be aware of the signs to prevent burnout. Additionally, it can be challenging to remain objective when working with clients who are experiencing emotional distress. However, I believe these challenges can be overcome with self-care and a commitment to one’s values.

My morals have been challenged in my life through school and work experiences. I have experienced bullying and discrimination, which have led me to question why people act the way they do (Banks et al.,2020). I have also seen firsthand the effects of poverty and inequality and how they can create difficult circumstances for people. Despite these challenges, I have always tried to remain faithful to my values, which have helped me become a better person.

There may be areas of variance between my values and public work morals that could affect my ability to practice in my chosen field. For example, I may have more individual worth placed on self-care and self-regulation than collective exertion ethics (Hagues et al.,2021). Additionally, I may have a different perspective on diversity, oppression, and privilege than what is taught in social labour. These areas of difference could affect my ability to effectively work with clients and adhere to the ethical principles of the social work profession.

Banks, S., Cai, T., de Jonge, E., Shears, J., Shum, M., Sobočan, A., … & Weinberg, M. (2020).  Ethical challenges for social workers during Covid-19: A global perspective . International Federation of Social Workers. https://dro.dur.ac.uk/33939/1/33939.pdf

Hagues, R. J., Cecil, D., & Stoltzfus, K. (2021). The experiences of German social workers working with refugees.  Journal of Social Work ,  21 (1), 46-68. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1468017319860305

Jay Miller, J., Lee, J., Shalash, N., & Poklembova, Z. (2020). Self-compassion among social workers.  Journal of Social Work ,  20 (4), 448-462. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1468017319829404

Loughran, H. (2018).  Counselling skills for social workers . Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315145853/counselling-skills-social-workers-hilda-loughran

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Ethics and Values in Social Work Essay Sample

Social Work Values and Ethics Essay

Ethics and values often go hand in hand. There is always some form of correlation between one’s actions and a doer of actions. It is a combination of the two that can play a crucial role in the determination of one’s values,  standards , and subsequently, morality. Social work, to a great extent, entails the interaction between individuals. In social work as a field, the code of ethics always plays an important role. It forms the basis of everything that the field is all about. A value carries various meanings and definitions but generally, entail the combination of reasons and drive that are behind every action that an individual does, be it right or wrong.

Values in social work can be exemplified by respect to everyone, as well as the aspect of self-determinism. Since social work traces much of its existence in the various interactions between people, it also recognizes the complex nature of such interactions, especially when it comes to doing with human beings and the surrounding. It has taken a great deal of its knowledge body from such complexities, in order to influence individual change in one way or another.

Subsequently, such values play a key role in helping the social worker to be able to make wise decisions when it comes to sociocultural challenges and injustices. Social work professionals aim at empowering members in the society who are vulnerable, oppressed or impoverished. Ethics and values in social work outline that social work entails various core values for instance dignity, social justice, integrity, valuing human interrelationships and competence.

The core of the social work profession is the social work code of ethics and values which helps the workers make sound judgments while handing clients if caring ethnicity, race or religion. Value and actions link directly, and thus we are judged according to the values we express through an action once we perform it. Ethics and values in social work dictate how we can interpret and resolve dilemmas between different values in a professional manner. The article grants guidelines on some ethical practices and their roles in the determination of actions basing on the social work significance.

Ethics and values in social work illustrates how we can access the ethics concept and show how it is employed to examine daily operations in the social work practices. These two aspects of social work also allows us to analyze the major role of governance among the representative bodies within the social work activities. Ethics and value in social work describe values as set guidelines and rules in the wrong or right decisions individuals make.

It’s evident that values facilitate the recognition of the actions as valuable or worthy and thus we can evaluate what is vital and what is less important in case a conflict of values erupts. Ethics and values in social work explain that the core values within a social work practice inform our understanding of diversity. The values and ethics in social work are not just part of the whole field, they actually constitute the entire field. They literally dictate how social workers interact with real life problems or challenges, by providing them with the set platform through which they can use to do it. From a sociocultural point of view, this helps in understanding the complexities of human interactions, while helping to make sense out of it.

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OUWB’s Afonso, Wasserman named Dean’s Distinguished Professors

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Two professors from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine have each achieved the faculty rank of Dean’s Distinguished Professor. 

The Oakland University Board of Trustees approved the title changes recommended by Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., at its regular meeting on June 28, 2024.

Nelia Afonso, M.D., professor, and Jason Wasserman, Ph.D., professor — both from OUWB’s Department of Foundational Medical Studies — each received the title.

“This prestigious recognition is not merely a personal achievement but a testament to the collaborative efforts of our academic community,” said Afonso.

Wasserman shared similar thoughts.

“The thing that means the most to me is that it was the result of a nomination of at least 10 of my colleagues,” he said. “It’s a really nice honor.”

The rank of Dean’s Distinguished Professor was established in 2021 upon approval from the OU Provost and the OU Assistant Vice President of Academic Human Resources. It’s a permanent, honorific title that acknowledges contributions of employed, full-time, tenured faculty at the rank of professor.

According to the recommendations from Pescovitz, the designation “shall be afforded to awardees who have superior teaching skills that encompass the breadth and depth of their discipline, a distinguished record of public service, and scholarly, creative, and artistic achievements.”

‘Truly been a privilege’

Sarah Lerchenfeldt, Pharm.D., associate professor and interim co-chair, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, nominated Afonso.

In her nomination, Lerchenfeldt said Afonso “exemplifies the criteria” for the title.

“Since joining OUWB as a founding faculty member, she has demonstrated unparalleled dedication to medical education, significantly enhancing both the academic and practical aspects of these fields,” wrote Lerchenfeldt.

The nomination noted Afonso’s scholarly excellence, particularly in the domains of education, clinical skills, women’s health, and vaccine hesitancy. Lerchenfeldt said that Afonso was principal investigator for the Merck Investigator Studies program project called “Promoting Vaccine Confidence in Medical and Dental Students.” The project secured about $179,000 in funding.

The nomination also pointed to Afonso’s efforts to develop and refine the curriculum for OUWB’s Art and Practice of Medicine (APM) course, previous awards she received, commitment to service, and leadership roles with organizations like the Southeast Michigan Center for Medical Education.

“Dr. Afonso’s tenure at OUWB has been marked by a commitment to advancing medical education, research, and community health,” wrote Lerchenfeldt. “Her work not only reflects the values and mission of our institution, but also sets a benchmark for academic and professional excellence.”

Afonso said it has “truly been a privilege” to receive the title.

“I have been fortunate to be part of this medical school since its inception and I am grateful for the numerous opportunities provided that have fostered my growth as a physician, educator, and researcher,” she said. “I appreciate the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff, whose support has been instrumental in implementing various curricular innovations.”

‘Invaluable member of OUWB faculty’  

Wasserman , who joined OUWB in 2013, was nominated by a group of 10 other faculty from the Department of Foundational Medical Studies.

They called him a “prolific and influential scholar” on several topics: homelessness, clinical bioethics, and Holocaust medicine.

“His scholarship and research range from core bioethics topics, such as autonomy and informed consent, to empirical research and qualitative inquiry into homelessness and medical ethics,” they wrote, and noted that he has published three books, 12 book chapters and supplements, 64 peer-reviewed journal articles, 22 editor-reviewed articles, and seven invited articles.

“Dr. Wasserman’s extensively cited research has contributed to important debates surrounding ethics in medical education, care for homeless individuals, pediatric ethical concerns, euthanasia, the rights of patients without decision-making capacity, and immunization policy,” wrote the nominators.

They also noted Wasserman’s roles in shaping the Medical Humanities and Clinical Bioethics (MHCB) curriculum, replacing traditional essay assignments with extemporaneous self-reflection videos, development of interactive iBooks, serving as a mentor to more than 50 OUWB students for their  Embark  projects, and developing a national training course in bioethics for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

The nominators also mentioned Wasserman’s history of service. In 2020, he was appointed as one of only two Provost Fellows for Faculty Diversity at Oakland University. In 2022, he was honored with the OU Founder’s Day Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He also chaired the admissions committee for five years, served as director of student professionalism for nine years, co-founded  Street Medicine Oakland , launched the Center for Moral Values in Health Medicine, and more.

And he has plans to do even more, including launching a new student-led journal on ethics, humanities, and social justice, and a health care ethics debate tournament that will be open to all OU students.  

“One of the reasons I came to OUWB was because it was a new school and there was a lot of opportunity to be entrepreneurial,” he said. “I didn’t want to go to some well-established place where the expectation is you teach your courses, you write papers, and otherwise just let things run.”

For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at [email protected] .

To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing  webpage .

This work is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License .