We're entering the last weeks of our ASWB exam content outline tour. Today we arrive here: Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, and dignity and worth of the person). These are basics--and exam essentials. Let's review than try out a practice question on the topic.

Professional values and principles serve as the foundation for ethical social work practice and are spelled out in detail in the NASW Code of Ethics. They guide decision-making and behavior, ensuring social workers act in the best interests of their clients and society. Here's a quick breakdown of key values and principles:

Core Values of Social Work

  • Competence

    • Maintain and enhance professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
    • Provide services within the boundaries of one's expertise.
    • Commit to ongoing professional development.

  • Social Justice

    • Advocate for social change, especially for vulnerable and oppressed populations.
    • Challenge social injustices, such as poverty, discrimination, and unequal access to resources.
    • Promote fairness and equality in opportunities and treatment.

  • Integrity

    • Act in a trustworthy and honest manner.
    • Uphold ethical standards in all professional relationships.
    • Take responsibility for one’s actions and decisions.

  • Dignity and Worth of the Person

    • Treat each individual with respect and compassion, regardless of their circumstances.
    • Acknowledge and value the unique characteristics and potential of each person.
    • Empower clients to make their own decisions and recognize their self-determination.

Principles Derived from Values

  • Service

    • Prioritize the needs of clients over personal gain.
    • Volunteer or contribute time to serve those in need.

  • Importance of Human Relationships

    • Recognize relationships as a vehicle for change.
    • Foster collaboration between clients, families, and communities.

  • Ethical Responsibility

    • Avoid harm and ensure the well-being of clients.
    • Address conflicts of interest transparently and ethically.

Integration of Core Values in Practice

  • Cultural Competence and Sensitivity

    • Upholding the dignity and worth of the person involves respecting cultural, ethnic, and personal differences.
    • Social workers must continuously educate themselves about diverse cultures and systems of oppression to serve effectively and equitably.

  • Balancing Autonomy and Safety

    • Supporting a client’s right to self-determination (dignity and worth of the person) must be balanced with ensuring their safety and well-being.
    • Example: When a client's choices might lead to harm, a social worker must weigh the principle of autonomy against professional responsibility.

  • Advocacy in Action

    • Social justice is not just theoretical; it involves active efforts like:
      • Lobbying for policies that protect marginalized groups.
      • Educating communities about their rights.
      • Intervening in situations of systemic discrimination.

Ethical Challenges and Professional Values

  • Integrity in Gray Areas

    • Social workers often face ethical dilemmas where clear answers are not evident.
    • In such cases, adhering to professional values ensures actions remain consistent with the profession’s mission and purpose.

  • Boundary Management

    • Professional integrity requires maintaining clear boundaries with clients, avoiding dual relationships or situations that compromise objectivity.

Emerging Issues in Social Work

  • Use of Technology

    • With growing reliance on digital platforms, ensuring confidentiality and respecting clients’ dignity require updated policies and training.
    • Example: Managing ethical issues in telehealth, such as privacy breaches or lack of access for marginalized communities.

  • Global Social Justice

    • Social workers must also consider global inequalities (e.g., climate justice, refugee rights) and incorporate these perspectives into local practice.

Professional Growth and Reflection

  • Commitment to Lifelong Learning

    • Competence involves not only technical skills but also self-reflection on biases and assumptions that may impact practice.

  • Supervision and Collaboration

    • Working under supervision or in multidisciplinary teams helps ensure ethical practice and fosters integrity and accountability.

On the Exam

This material will be on the test--it infuses every question. Here's a sample that comes directly from the NASW Code of Ethics.

A client confides in a social worker about engaging in illegal activities to support their family. The client asks the social worker not to report this to authorities. How should the social worker proceed, considering professional values and ethics?

A. Maintain the client’s confidentiality and take no further action.
B. Inform the client that you must report the illegal activity because it is your legal obligation.
C. Explore the client’s situation and educate them about the limits of confidentiality.
D. Seek supervision to avoid taking any immediate steps with the client.

Have your answer?

Social workers are ethically obligated to explain the boundaries of confidentiality, especially when laws or safety concerns require disclosure. Exploring the situation ensures the client is informed and the social worker respects the client's dignity and worth. The correct answer is C. 

Why not A? While confidentiality is important, legal and ethical requirements may override it in cases involving illegal activity.

Why not B? Directly reporting without exploring context or informing the client undermines the principles of dignity and worth and can damage trust.

Why not D? While supervision is helpful, the social worker must still address the issue with the client rather than deferring action.

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November 25, 2024
Categories :
  knowledge  
  ethics  
  practice  
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