Operationalizing Social Work Values and Ethics

A set of flashcards summarizing key vocabulary and definitions related to the core social work values and ethics as outlined in the lecture notes.

Core Values of Social Work

The fundamental beliefs guiding social work practice, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

NASW Code of Ethics

A set of guidelines that identify core values of social work, outline broad ethical principles, and establish specific ethical standards for social workers. Assists professionals when conflict or ethical uncertainty arises. Ethical standards for which the public can hold social workers to account t.

Limitations of the code of ethics

It actually notes under the code that it does not specify which valies, principles, and pstandards are most important and ought to outweigh others in instances of conflict.

NASW: service (4)

1. SW main goal is helping people in need.

2. Believe that people have the right to resources.

3. Work to assure adequate resources

4. Develop programs and policies to fill unmet needs.

NASW: social justice (3)

1. SW challenge injustice

2. Promote awareness of oppression and cultural/ethnic diversity.

3. Indicates important role of macro practice and systems change skills to disrupt oppressive practices.

NASW: Dignity and worth (4)

1. SW respect the inherent dignity and worth of a person.

2. Believe all people have intrinsic importance

3. Affirm the individuality of the client, enter their world and see how they experience life.

4. Respect, curiosity, and nonjudgmental interactions.

NASW: Human relationships (4)

1. Recognize the importance of human relationships.

2. Respect - essential element of helping relationship.

3. It is difficult to build a therapeutic alliance with clients who feel ashamed for seeking helps

4. SW role is to seek to understand clients difficulties and assets and assist them in finding solutions.

NASW: integrity (4)

1. Behave in a trustworthy manner

2. Act honestly and encourage ethical practices in agencies

3. Present credentials accurately.

4. Treat other professionals respectfully.

NASW: competence (3)

1. Requires social workers practice only within their areas of ability.

2. Decline cases if you lack the expertise

3. Seek out continuous self examination and professional development

How do you convey acceptance?

Listening attentively, responding sensitively, facial expressions, voice intonations, and gestures that convey interest and concern.

Self-Determination

The principle that clients have the right and need to make their own choices and decisions.

SW must affirm someone’s right to self-determination.

What is paternalistic beneficence?

Occurs when a social worker implements protective interventions to enhance the clients quality of life, sometimes despite the clients objections.

This infringes on client autonomy.

Boundaries

1. Norms of separation that are maintained between the SW and the client to preserve the working relationship.

2. Helps to clarify that client-SW relationship is not a social one.

Moral Distress

Emotional or psychological distress experienced by social workers when institutional constraints prevent them from acting according to their ethical standards.

NASW: Integrity

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; a core value of social work.

NASW: Competence

The expectation that social workers practice within their areas of expertise and continuously develop their skills.

Ethical Decision-Making Steps

A process that includes identifying the dilemma, determining core principles, reviewing relevant codes and regulations, consulting with colleagues, and considering actions and consequences.

What about if you are subpoenaed?

1. Clients right to privacy does not necessarily extend into the court of law.

2. If you are subpoenaed you must respond.

Confidentiality in recording

1. Essential that practitioners develop and implement policies a d practices that provide maximal confidentiality.

2. Record not more than what is essential.

3. Do not include verbatim or process recording in case files.

4. Employ private/sound proof dictation facilities.

5. Do not leave files on desks or up on devices.

6. Use special precautions for recording client interactions.

Cardinal Values of Social Work

The essential values in social work practice: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Transference

The phenomenon where clients project feelings about past experiences onto the social worker.

Countertransference

When a social worker's personal experiences and emotional reactions affect their interactions with clients.

9 steps in ethical decision making

1. Identify the problem and gather information.

2. Determine core principals and competing issues.

3. Review the relevant codes of ethics

4. Review the applicable laws

5. Consult with colleagues or experts

6. Examine consequences of various options.

7. Decide on course of action

8. Develope a strategy to implement

9. Evaluate results to determine if intended outcome was achieved and consider modifications for future decisions.

Ethics of practice with minors

1. Minors have the right to confidentiality, informed consent, self determination, and protection of other ethical principles.

2. Rights are limited by laws and policies, differences in maturity, self determination.

3. Parents MAY retain the right to review a child’s treatment record and to be kept informed about issues that are raised in therapy.

4. Complex tangle of legal, developmental, ethical, and social issues.