Transcript Values and Ethics in Social Work

Values and Ethics in
Social Work
Chapter 8
Morales
Introduction
 Values in SW assist the profession in setting goals
related to the client and society. SW set out to make
a positive change in people’s lives.
 Social Programs are created to promote the general
welfare.
 Agency values can have a direct impact on SWs.
How do you think this is?
 SW must be aware of personal values and how they
may be like or different from SW values. Self
awareness is key in SW to avoid countertransference.
The Nature of Values
 Values express what ought to be! “A type of belief,
centrally located on one’s total belief system, about
how one ought or ought not to behave, or about
some end-state of existence worth or worth not
attaining”
 2 functions values perform
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Instrumental values- how we should or should not
behave. Moral and ethical guidelines to helps us
determine how we conduct our lives
Terminal values- as SW we perform; what is the
bottom line of what we want to accomplish. Ensuring a
safe environment for all, basic needs met for all.
Guides
 These values guide us in the decision we make
on serving our clients and the community.
Values vary for everyone.
 Values system – is what makes everyone
unique. This is the constellation of all the
person’s values. Values and beliefs become one
central thought process and reality. This can
make it difficult when values clash. Choosing
between values can create internal conflict. Also
values may appear good in theory but hard to
apply in really life situation. Life is not black and
white. Finally values can change overtime.
The Place of Values in Social Work
 Helping people is CLEAR! We must be aware
of our client’s values and how that guides
their ind goals. SW may have to assist client
in identifying their values, but we do not
impose our values on them.
 Self-Determination
Social Values in US Society
 Can you identify some values of the US
today? Can you identify how these may have
changed in the last 30 years?
 Values are different from needs and urges as
humans. Our values though guide us on how
we meet these needs. Us is very “me”
focused.
 Us values are rooted in 4 different sources.
 Judaism and Christianity- worth of all humans and
responsibility to our neighbors.
 Democratic ideals-equality for all, “life, liberty and
happiness”
 Puritan ethic- a moral person works hard and independent.
 Social Darwinism- survival of the fittest.
 SW become the mediator in society between ind needs
and values judgments. This is why we must be
knowledgeable of US society values
 There is great variation in our US society values
because we are a diverse society.
 In a study by Kahle’s some consistent values were;
security, respect. Socioeconomic standing gives
variation.
 Values become our client’s strengths to help work thur
problem.
Values Held by Social Workers
1.Commitment to the primary importance of the ind in society.
2. Commitment to Social change to meet socially recognized
needs.
3.Commitment to social justice and the economic, physical, and
mental well-being of all in society.
4. Respect and appreciation for ind and group differences.
5. Commitment to developing clients’ ability to help themselves.
6. Willingness to transmit knowledge and skills to others.
7. Willingness to keep personal feelings and needs separate from
professional.
8. Respect for confidentiality of relationship with
clients.
9. Willingness to persist on behalf of clients even
when frustrated.
10. Commitment to a high standard and
professional conduct.
Based on these values NASW came up with code
of ethic that clearly define SW expectations! If a
SW is reported to violate the code then they are
brought before a board of review. If founded
corrective action.
Areas of Practice Addressed by
NASW code of ethics
 1 Standard related to SW ethical responsibility to
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client.
2. The SW ethical responsibility to colleagues.
3. The SW ethical responsibility in practice settings
4. The SW ethical responsibility as a professional.
5. The SW ethical responsibility to the SW
profession.
6. The SW ethical responsibility to the broader
society.
Case Studies
 Let read and review!
 What are some of the dilemma’s ?
 How are they handled?
 What do you think about the they are
handles?
 Are there alternative ways to handle them?