Social Work Values, Ethics, and Competencies

Introduction

  • The National Association of Social Workers (NASW):

    • Established in 1955 by merging several organizations.

    • Largest global membership organization for professional social workers.

    • Aims to enhance professional growth, maintain standards, and advance social policies.

    • Website: https://www.socialworkers.org/About

  • NASW Code of Ethics:

    • First published in 1960.

    • Standard for values and principles in social work practice.

    • Latest version: 2017.

    • Website: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics

    • Check NASW website/local chapters for updates and discussions.

  • Social Welfare:

    • Linked to social work's identity.

    • Gilbert (1977): Mechanism to aid those suffering in industrial society.

    • Addresses gaps left by familial, religious, economic, or educational institutions.

Social Work Competencies

  • Definition of a Competent Social Worker:

    • Standards set by state licensing boards, professional associations, accrediting agencies, and legislative bodies.

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE):

    • Founded in 1952, the national association for social work education in the U.S.

    • Supports quality education and professional development for social and economic justice.

    • Commission on Accreditation is the sole accrediting agency for social work education.

    • Website: https://www.cswe.org/Home.aspx

EPAS Competencies

  • Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS):

    • Used by CSWE to accredit BSW and MSW programs.

    • Nine EPAS competencies ensure academic excellence with flexibility in curriculum design.

    • Familiarizes students with social work practice.

C1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

  • Value base, ethical standards, and NASW Code of Ethics.

  • Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.

  • Critical thinking in ethical decision-making.

  • Recognize personal values versus professional values.

  • Understand how personal experiences influence professional judgment.

  • Professionalism in communication.

  • Lifelong learning and skill updates.

  • Ethical use of technology and client confidentiality.

C2: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Practice

  • Understand how diversity shapes experience and identity.

  • Recognize dimensions of diversity.

  • Life experiences may include oppression, privilege, and power.

  • Recognize mechanisms of oppression and discrimination.

  • Mindful of privilege, embody cultural humility.

  • Equitable services and advocacy for change.

  • Continual education about cultures and histories.

  • Approach each client as an individual.

C3: Advance Human Rights, and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

  • Advance human rights and social justice.

  • Each person has basic human rights.

  • Challenge social injustice (NASW Code of Ethics).

  • Awareness of global implications of oppression.

  • Understand theories of justice and strategies to promote human and civil rights.

  • Incorporate social justice practices.

  • Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.

C4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

  • Mutual nature of research and social work practice.

  • Different forms of research (quantitative and qualitative).

  • Social worker's role in advancing social work as a science.

  • Incorporate evaluation into practice.

  • Utilize practice methods informed by culturally sensitive and ethical approaches.

  • Translate research findings into practice.

  • Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry.

  • Apply critical thinking to research methods and analysis.

  • Use research evidence to improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

C5: Engage in Policy Practice

  • Critical analysis and policy development aligning with social justice values.

  • Advocate for new policy to advance social and economic well-being.

  • Direct practice occurs in a policy context.

  • History of and current structures for policies and services.

  • Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies advancing clients' well-being.

  • Collaborate for effective policy action.

  • Influence environments supporting clients and maintaining social infrastructure.

C6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Focus on engagement with various client systems.

  • Apply knowledge of human behavior and communication skills.

  • Utilize engagement in macro-practice.

  • Macro-practice is vital for social work practice.

  • Work with community members to plan and develop resources.

C7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Gather comprehensive information about client systems.

  • Conclusions about goals in concert with client self-determination.

  • Understand intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors.

  • Interactions among biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects.

  • Understand micro-, mezzo-, and macro-factors.

  • Utilize assessments recognizing client strengths and assets.

  • Apply systems theory to assess relationships.

  • Conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis.

C8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Actions to support client's goals or remove barriers.

  • Range from referrals to direct application of treatment.

  • Knowledge of theoretical frameworks.

  • Base interventions on assessment and collaboration with the client.

  • Conduct interventions at the micro-, mezzo-, and macro-levels.

C9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Monitor client progress and satisfaction.

  • Determine and measure outcomes.

  • Evaluate worker/service effectiveness, cost, efficiency, and need.

  • Gather data to analyze service effectiveness.

  • Use feedback to improve services.

  • Includes termination skills.

  • Gather client feedback or measure outcomes via surveys or discussions.

Contemporary Influences on Direct Practice

  • Environmental changes present opportunities and challenges.

  • Awareness of current social issues affecting client functioning.

  • Several issues have gained global attention.

Self-Care

  • Address social worker burnout and compassion fatigue.

  • NASW Code of Ethics encourages self-care.

  • Measures to care for themselves professionally and personally.

  • Difficult cases, urgent needs, high caseloads, and trauma require change.

  • Organizations should implement policies promoting balanced environments.

  • Inclusion of self-care allows advocacy for work-life balance and support.

Pandemics

  • The world faced COVID-19 pandemic and violence against Black and Brown people in 2020 and 2021.

  • Both impacted social work practice.

  • Challenges included initiating testing, hospitalization, and dealing with insurance issues.

  • Shortages in personal protection equipment and social distancing.