Social Work Ethics

1336 Words3 Pages

Registered social workers in New Zealand also have to abide by the Code of Conduct, which outlines the professional standards of behaviour, conduct and integrity that registered social workers must apply in their practice and professional career (Social Work Registration Board, 2016). The Code of Conduct is also based on the Social Work Registration Act that was established in 2003 (New Zealand Legislation, 2017 & SWRB, 2016). Registered social workers are expected to act with integrity, honesty and ethically to everyone around them, whether it is personal or professional (SWRB, 2016). There are a lot of principles and standards that social workers must abide by, such as that the Code of Conduct also requires social workers to be reliable, …show more content…

Law is different from morality, as morality may or may not correspond, coincide or fit with legal rules (Laird, 2010). An example would be the legalization of abortion in some countries, such as the Abortion Act that was established in 1967 in the United Kingdom. People may think abortion is immoral but they still need to abide with the law (Laird, 2010). According to Albert (1986, as cited in Phiri, 2017), the law is the starting point, the beginning and the ending of actions. Despite the challenges mentioned above, social workers in this field also have its potentials. These legislative frameworks also protect social workers from harm. Social workers will engage with different types of people and emotions, such as highly emotional, vulnerable and aggressive people in their work, especially in the domestic violence field (Anand et al., 2007). Although there are a lot requirements and standards that social workers need to meet in regards to legislation, these laws are also present to protect not only the clients but also the safety of social workers (SWRB, 2016, New Zealand Legislation, 2017). Legislation also acknowledges that social work is a profession that influences and affects the public, safety, welfare and health (Monahan, 2016). Legislation protects the title and practice of social work, as it requires only those who are qualified to engage and be in the practice (Monahan, 2016). Working within these legislative frameworks may seem quite overwhelming, but these laws and legislation are established in order to protect everyone in the community and society in general. Social workers in the family domestic violence field are provided with limited opportunities to progress in their career in that field and also in other fields, as often people perceive social workers as having lower status and power than professions such as

Open Document