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Personal values in the social work field
Personal values in social work
Ethical dilemmas faced by social workers
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Moreover, ethical issues are ubiquitous within the field of social work. As such, social workers employed in all facets of the profession, whether it is substance abuse, mental health, among many others encounter ethical issues common and specific to each area. According to the article “Ethical Issues in Addiction Counseling” by Cynthia G. Scott (2000), prominent ethical situations specific to the field of substance abuse include, “confidentiality and privileged communication” (p. 213). In her article Scott (2000) discuss the blurred boundaries of confidentiality with regards to group counseling. The author points out the discrepancy in federal confidentiality laws that prevent the practitioner from sharing confidential information disclosed …show more content…
According to Erin B. Comartin and Antonio Gonzalez-Prendes (2011), authors of the article “Dissonance Between Personal and Professional Values: Resolution of an Ethical Dilemma” the six core values of the social work profession are, “service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence” (p.1). As professionals in the field of human service, personal values of a social worker will not always be congruent with the core values of this field. As Comartin et al., (2011) suggests “social workers benefit from understanding that growth occurs when these conflicts are acknowledged, explored, and resolved” (p. 11). Having worked in the substance abuse field for nearly a year, I find that my personal values have conflicted with the core value of “dignity and worth of the person” on numerous occasions. One specific situation that I continue to struggle with the most are women who continue to abuse illicit substances despite discovering that they are pregnant. Though I have personally not had the opportunity to provide therapeutic services to a expecting mother abusing illicit substances, I have had the opportunity to observe fellow therapists manage such situations. As a counselor, if I had the opportunity to work with a mother using illicit substances during
According to Jacinto & Dziegielewski (2006) throughout the years, maintaining ethical practice (including confidentiality) has been at the forefront in the field of social work. So important, in fact, that in 1996 the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) modified the existing version of the Code of Ethics. Jacinto & Dziegielewski (2006) found, a social worker should make every attempt possible to adhere to the rules of confidentiality promoting self-determination, but should also be aware that there are some situations that should not be kept confidential. In most cases where maintaining confidentiality is an issue, consideration is needed in order to determine what is “sufficiently compelling” to warrant a breach of confidentiality (Jacinto & Dziegielewski 2006).
Every individual in our society harbors a personalized set of values that guide behavior. “Values involve what is considered important and what is not” (Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 60). As a professional social worker, one must be able to clearly identify and understand where he or she stands concerning ethical issues. “Social workers have ethical responsibilities to clients, to colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession, and to the broader society” (Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 61). Another ongoing task for social workers is to effectively relate personal values to the core values listed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Three important personal values that I feel strongly about being: the treatment of the mentally ill, end of life care, and the rehabilitation of convicted criminals back into society. Each of those issues can be associated with the NASW Code of Ethics in different ways to identify how to address the situation.
In reading the Jones case, it is apparent that there are many different ethical dilemmas present throughout the entire scenario, and not only do many of these dilemmas violate the social workers Code of Ethics, they also violate Laws and standards of practice (SOPs). While analyzing the ethical dilemmas, I kept in mind the core values of social work and thought of multiple different strategies in which I could apply these values to positively impact the Jones family and practice ethical behavior.
Social workers should base practice with respect to knowledge, observationally based learning that is significant to social work, hard-working attitudes and work ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics does not contain standards that bear directly on the issue of government contribution in private groups. The code contains wide proclamations about social workers' commitment to advance the general welfare of society (standard 6.01); avoid and wipe out victimization of any individual, including mental incapacity (standard 4.02); guarantee that all individuals have entry to the assets and administrations they require (standard 6.04[a]); and act to grow decision and open door for abused gatherings and individuals (standard 6.04[b]).
According to the Preamble of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, “the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.” National Association of Social Workers. (approved 1996, revised 1999, 2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington, DC: Author. The ethical considerations of the Bruff Case as presented by Hermann and Herlihy (2006), are clearly defined and set forth Code of Ethics; additionally, the Code provides guidance to counselors on dealing with issues which might give rise to a violation due to a conflict of beliefs.
One ethical issue that emerged was self determination. “Social workers respect and promote the right of client’s self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify goals” (NASW, 2008). In the case of Johnny, being a mandated client, some of his goals were prescribed from the court and probation officer who did not take his wishes into account. This was addressed by keeping the provided goals and encouraging Johnny to be an active participant in creating objectives for each goal as well as creating goals of his own in addition.
God challenges me each day to include the excluded through my work with parents, children, and families that have become involved with the Department of Child Services. Every family that I encounter has their own story and that story is often times not understood or accepted by individuals looking at the family from the outside leading to the family being excluded or looked down upon. Each family has different needs and circumstances that impact their story, which are needs and circumstances that need to be taken into consideration as to why the family has become involved with the Department of Child Services.
Reamer explains that values are important in regard to “The nature of social work’s mission; the relationships that social workers have with clients, colleagues, and members of society; the methods of intervention that social workers use in their work, and the resolution of ethical dilemmas in practice” (p. 15). Reamer discusses the importance of ethical decision making and ethical risk management in regards to any ethical dilemma a social worker may face. Reamer also explores how our values can challenge our profession; opposing or conflicting personal, professional, cultural and religious values in particular. Other ethical issues include confidentiality, privacy, divided loyalties, professional boundaries, dual relationships, conflicts of interest, and a client’s free will or determinism (Reamer,
All social workers are beholden to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Professional ethics are the main core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The code is composed of thematic sections that outline a social worker’s responsibility to clients, colleagues, employers, and the profession. Some responsibilities that a social worker has to a client are that the clients are their primary responsibility, fostering maximum self-determination in clients, respecting the privacy of clients, keeping information that has been shared during the course of their duties confidential and charging fees for services that are fair and considerate
With this week’s topic being values and ethics, I decided to take a more purposeful approach to identifying how social work’s ethical principles are practiced at my practicum. Service can be seen 24/7 at my practicum, since counselors are available to answer phones around the clock. The fact that all of the counselors are volunteers, even at the odd times of the day, really represents this value and putting the needs of the person on the other end of the crisis line above self-interest. The counselors also present the value of dignity and worth of a person, because we are trained to put aside judgments, to not problem solve, and to allow the caller to talk through whatever is on their mind. Throughout the call, unless it is absolutely necessary
For Aotearoa our code of ethics and core principles underpin the guidelines for social workers in the profession (Thomas, 2014). The development and support these core principles provide us with, will give us a better understanding on how well we interact and communicate. We are going to explore the uniqueness of two different groups and define, the social work relationships between people of social and economic class, and religion.
Great Post John. I have also worked with a few gay/lesbian officers, and for the most part, they were very successful and hardworking. The lesbian officers that I have had the pleasure of working with satisfied both side of the scale. Like the article mentioned they had no problem expressing their femininity and making a connection to minorities as well as the underprivileged (Myers et al., 2004). However, the gay male officers were very aggressive, especially the officers who had not yet come out publicly as being gay. I believe that because femininity is associated with the gay male officers, it makes them feel the need to prove themselves even more. For the gay male officers who have made it public about their sexual orientation, they seem
My values throughout my life and the way I was raised may have a huge effect on my eventual work in social work in ways that are both positive and negative. For service, I may become tired of volunteering my time when I am only getting paid a certain amount each year. I might find it hard to find time to volunteer with a job and more commitments. However, I do not think It will have as many negatives impacts as social justice. Being a very opinionated person I feel that it will be hard to not take sides when a client comes to me. No matter what they believe I must put that aside and find the best way to help them. Today, I tend to look down on people who I know voted for Donald Trump. I lose respect for people that I know that support him as our president. I must find a way to put aside my beliefs
Unfortunately, I can see this scenario playing out at lunch; perhaps not in the cafeteria; however, quite possibly during a small work lunch in a group room. I will focus on the value of dignity and worth of the person. My biggest gripe would be in the labeling of the patient as a borderline and the conclusion that they were off their meds. “Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person (Reamer, 2006, p. 26)”. No part of this conversation shows the least bit of respect for this person who was having a difficult time controlling their emotions on this occasion. As professionals, we are expected to hold ourselves to a higher standard of behavior; not to judge our clients or get an award for having the most difficult patient
Ethics are based on rules within an individual’s life that helps dictate behavior as being good or bad. It can relate to conducting ethical research, maintaining ethical values, and upholding ethical standards. For instance, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of professional ethics are the core standards, values, and principles that all social workers are responsible to uphold while practicing in the field (NASW, 1996). In relation to these ethical standards, social workers must balance certain aspects of their careers, such as stress. Furthermore, social workers need to ensure their behavior in response to a stressful work environment are guided by their code of ethics. To determine how applicable these ethics are, this