code of ethics in social work and ethical dilemma

Code of Ethics in Social Work and Ethical Dilemmas

National Association of social worker (NASW) has approved the code of ethics of National Association of Social Worker in 1996, which was revised in 2008 by NASW delegate assembly. Though this code of ethics was developed by NASW, core foundation of this code of ethics is applicable to social workers all over the world. NASW is an association which works for the promotion and protection of social work profession.

To guide the profession and professional it gave social work code of ethics with the changing phases of time in (2008) code of ethics was revised and new code of ethics was develop by (NASW) delighted assembly. Code of ethics isn’t a set of rules that prescribe how social worker should act in all situations. It is a moral guideline in which social worker practice fulfilling the professional responsibility and standard. It is a code of social work. It set values principle and standard to guide social worker conduct. The profession has obligation to articulate it’s basic values, ethical principle and ethical standard. Code of ethics is not a set of rules that prescribe how social worker should act in all situations. It is a moral guideline on which social workers practice fulfilling their professional responsibility and standards. It reflects the commitment of all social worker uphold the profession’s and to act ethically. NASW states that professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW code of ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social worker’s conduct. The code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the population they serve.

Main Purpose of NASW Code of Ethics

Professional ethics are the core of social work. The code is relevant to all social worker and social worker students, regardless of their professional functions, the setting in which they work or the population research. The NASW code of ethics serves six purposes;

• The code identifies the core values in which social works mission is best.

• The code summarize broad ethical principles that reflect the professional core values and established a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice.
• The code is designed to help social worker and identify relevant consideration when the professional obligation conflict or ethical uncertainties arises.
• The code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work professions accountable.
• The code socializes practitioners new to the field of social works mission, values, ethical principle and ethical standards.
• The code articulates standard that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in on ethical conducts. The code of ethics doesn’t specifies which values principle and standards to be used when they are helping people. Reasonable differences of opinion can do exists among social worker with respect to the ways in which values ethical principles and ethical standards should be rank order, when they conflict.

Ethical decision making in a given situation most apply the informed the judgment of each social worker and should consider how the issues should be judge in a pear review process.

Ethical Principle

They are based on social work core values of services, social justice, dignity and worth of a person importance of human relationship, integrity and competence. This principle set forth ideals to which all social worker should aspired.

Value: service

Ethical Principle

Social worker primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problem. Social worker provides services to other above self- interest. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of financial returns. (Pro-bono service)

Value: Social Justice.

Ethical Principle

Social workers challenge social injustice. Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social worker primarily focuses on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination and other form of social injustice. They tried to ensure access to needed information services and resources, equality of opportunities meaningful participation in decision making for all people.

Value: Dignity and worth of the person

Ethical Principle

Social workers respect the in-herent dignity and worth of the person. Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful manner, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. They promote clients socially responsible self-determination. They seek to enhance clients capacity and opportunities to change and address their own needs. Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to client’s and to the boarder society. They seek to resolve conflicts between client’s interests and the boarder society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

Value: Importance of Human Relationships.

Ethical Principle

Social worker recognizes the central importance of human relationship. Social worker understands that relationship between and among people are an important vehicle for change. They engage people as partners in helping process. Social worker seek to strengthen relationship among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain and enhance the well-being of individuals, family, groups, organization and communities.

Value: Integrity.

Ethical Principle

Social workers behave in trust worthy manner. Social workers are continuously aware of the profession, mission, values, ethical principle and ethical standard and practice in a manner consistent with them. They act honestly and responsibly. They promote ethical practice on the part of organization with which they are affiliated.

Value: Competence

Ethical Principle

Social worker practice within their area of competence and develops, enhance their professional expertise. Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. They should aspire to contribute to the knowledge based of profession.

Reference-

Shrestha, S. K. (2013). the concept of social work. Kathmandu: Taleju, Prakashan