Since its beginnings over a century ago, social work practice has focused on meeting human needs and developing human potential. Social workers should reflect and critically evaluate their practice and be aware of their impact on others. Social work interventions range from primarily person-focused psychosocial processes to involvement in social policy, planning and development. Randstad Solutions Limited, is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 02389033. They should enable people to access all information recorded about themselves, subject to any limitations imposed by law. 4 tips to help you incorporate exercise into your day. The Anti-Poverty Practice Guide for Social Work, IFSW and other international social work organisations, Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth, Practice, policy and education groups (PPEGs), Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for Independents, Umbrella service companies & tax avoidance scheme investigations, Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) 2020, Support for newly-qualified social workers, The international definition of social work (2014)*, Professional Support Service: Access support, Professional Support Service: Frequently Asked Questions, Copyright © 2020 British Association of Social Workers. Human rights and social justice serve as the motivation and justification for social work action. They should ensure that services are offered and delivered in a culturally appropriate manner. Social workers should use the authority of their role in a responsible, accountable and respectful manner. Social workers should be prepared to report bad practice using all available channels including complaints procedures and if necessary use public interest disclosure legislation and whistleblowing guidelines. We promote human rights and social justice. Their ability and commitment to act ethically is an essential aspect of the quality of the service offered to those who engage with social workers. Social workers should recognise their own prejudices to ensure they do not discriminate against any person or group. In everyday usage, ‘values’ is often used to refer to one or all of religious, moral, cultural, political or ideological beliefs, principles, attitudes, opinions or preferences. Frederic G. Reamer provides social workers with a succinct and comprehensive overview of the most critical issues relating to professional values and ethics, including the nature of social work values, ethical dilemmas, and professional misconduct. BASW expects employers to have in place systems and approaches to promote a climate which supports, monitors, reviews and takes the necessary action to ensure social workers can comply with the Code of Ethics and other requirements to deliver safe and effective practice. Social workers should consider ethical theory and principles generally, social work theory and research, laws, regulations, agency policies, and other relevant codes of ethics, recognizing that among codes of ethics social workers should consider the NASW Code of Ethics as their primary source. 10 tips for 2021 graduates: what to expect in the new world of work. They should challenge the abuse of power and the exclusion of people from decisions that affect them. Social workers should ascertain and respect, as far as possible, each individual’s preferences, wishes and involvement in decision making, whether or not they or other persons have powers to make decisions on the person’s behalf. They should analyse and evaluate the quality and outcomes of their practice with people who use social work services. Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work. A workshop day aimed at those considering a move into independent social work or new to self employment. Social workers should strive to create conditions in employing agencies and in their countries where the principles of the Code are discussed, evaluated and upheld in practice. Upholding the values and reputation of the profession Social workers should act at all times in accordance with the values and principles of the profession and ensure that their behaviour does not bring the profession into disrepute. The text is packed with 'everyday' examples of the kinds of issues which could (and do) influence poor decision making, even if they are subliminal. These key documents were reviewed and agreed in 2010 by IFSW and IASSW. In solidarity with those who are dis-advantaged, the profession strives to alleviate poverty and to work with vulnerable and oppressed people in order to promote social inclusion. After engaging with thousands of professionals, our standards reflect the value and diversity of social work practice and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, families and communities. In social work, ‘values’ can be regarded as particular types of beliefs that people hold about what is regarded as worthy or valuable. They should engage in ethical debate with their colleagues and employers to share knowledge and take responsibility for making ethically informed decisions. The Code is not designed to provide a detailed set of rules about how social workers should act in specific situations or practice guidance. The key principles of these are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity, integrity and competence (1999). The holistic focus of social work is universal, but the priorities of social work practice will vary from country to country and from time to time depending on cultural, historical, legal and socio-economic conditions. These include counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, and family treatment and therapy as well as efforts to help people obtain services and resources in the community. essential social worker values and ethics. The Association has a duty to ensure as far as possible that its members discharge their ethical obligations and are afforded the professional rights necessary for the safeguarding and promotion of the rights of people who use social work services. 5 tips for newly qualified social workers. The ethical practice principles apply across the UK but they are not intended to be exhaustive or to constitute detailed prescription. This is to make sure that ethics and values are upheld by all social workers. So, for example, ‘social workers should respect the autonomy of service users’ is an ethical principle; whereas, ‘social workers should not disclose confidential information to third-party payers unless clients have authorised such disclosure’ might be regarded as an ethical standard or rule. Social workers should build and sustain professional relationships based on people’s right to control their own lives and make their own choices and decisions. Ethics and Values in Social Work is co-published with the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and this fifth edition provides revised and updated analysis of professional regulation and codes of practice. Social workers should take into account appropriate codes of practice, legislation, governance frameworks, professional practice and training standards in each UK country, provided they are consistent with the Code of Ethics. There’s more to social work than house visits, filling out forms and checking boxes, you need to be extremely motivated to make a difference in individuals lives. Social workers have a responsibility to promote and work to the Code of Ethics in carrying out their obligations to people who use social work services, to their employers, to one another, to colleagues in other disciplines and to society. This includes working in partnership with people who use our services. The standards set out what a social worker in England must know, understand and be able to do 1. Broadly speaking, ‘ethics’ is about matters of right and wrong conduct, good and bad qualities of character and responsibilities attached to relationships. It is understood that social work in the 21st century is dynamic and evolving, and therefore no definition should be regarded as exhaustive. This is the leading introduction 200to professional values and ethics in social work. If you’re thinking of starting a career as a social worker, it’s important to first understand the core values and ethics of social work. Core values of social work. As such, social workers are change agents in society and in the lives of the individuals, families and communities they serve. Their primary concern is ensuring that all individuals basic needs are met, with a particular focus on vulnerable members of society such as the young, the elderly, the unwell, and those living in poverty or otherwise reduced circumstances. VALUES AND ETHICS - Apply social work ethical principles and value to guide professional practices Social workers have an obligation to conduct themselves and make decisions in accordance with our Code of Ethics. has covid-19 made you want to change your job? There will be variations in interpretation and guidance in the different countries. Your professional role and value base. Social workers should promote and contribute to the development of positive policies, procedures and practices which are anti-oppressive and empowering.