Ethics: Ethics And Ethics In Social Work

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The social work profession is not only about the knowledge of the theories, ethical guidelines, values and principles of the profession, but also it’s about applying that knowledge to everyday situations. It is a profession dedicated to enhancing human capacity to solve complex social problems in order to create a more humane and just society (Arizona State University, 2013). In the profession, social workers are encourage to use their skills such as their critical thinking and especially their decision-making skills. In addition, they work in a number of different settings with diverse individuals. Although dilemmas will arise, social workers need to be culturally competent to work with others and to avoid breaching any ethical standards.
Ethics provide the tools to develop essential ethical decision-making skills” (Icheku, 2011, p. 13). It is defined as “the branch of moral philosophy that determines what is right (ethical) and wrong (unethical)” (Icheku, 2011, p. 20). Social workers are regularly confronted with ethical dilemmas in their practice and are forced to apply ethical principles and theories while engaging in practical decision-making. Ethics, however, do not always provide practical solutions to dilemmas. Albeit, social workers have to routinely consider their ethical standards and framework, values and morals within every situation. As a social worker Ryan (of given scenario) faces an ethical decision as a result of the ethical dilemma to which he is confronted. In certain conditions, ethical dilemmas occur when “an individual, called the “agent,” must make a decision about which course of action is best” (Grobman, 2012). Ryan has to decide whether the children of Sudanese parents should be removed from their ho...

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...tp://http://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-articles/What_Is_an_Ethical_Dilemma%3F/
Icheku, V. (2011). Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making (p. 13). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=NOE29wMic-QC&printsec=frontcover&dq=understanding+ethics+and+ethical+decision-making&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1bq6U7XjIIycyASixYGYAg&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
King, M., Sims, A., & Osher, D. (n.d.). How is Cultural Competency integrated in education? Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://cecp.air.org/cultural/Q_integrated.htm#def
Moore, K. (2006, October). Defining the Term "At-Risk". Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/DefiningAtRisk1.pdf
The National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics (English and Spanish). Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code /code.asp

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