Social Work Ethics Report

Jane Addams, also considered the pioneer or “Mother” of social work along with Ellen Gates Starr, in 1889 opened the doors to Chicago’s Hull House to provide social services that included child care, education in history, music, mathematics, a library, employment assistance, and many others to its immigrant community (NASW 60th Anniversary Interactive Timeline, 2016). The philanthropic work of two women has today become the field of social work with thousands of professional social workers carrying on their legacy and work. The field of social work, like everything else, has gone through many years of evolution to become what it is today. According to the text Social Work Values and Ethics by Fredrick G. Reamer (2013), “at its infancy in the

In 1947 after many years of discussion and deliberation, the Delegate Conference of the American Association of Social Workers adopted a code of ethics (Reamer, 2013). But, it was not until 1960 that the newly formed National Association of Social Workers (NASW) “adopted its first code of ethics” (Reamer, 2013, p.7). Today, NASW is the world’s largest organization of professional social workers with over 132,000 registered members that follow and abide by these ethical guidelines (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). NASW Code of Ethics, therefore articulates a set of ethical standards and values that dictate the conduct of social work professionals. The Code puts forward these qualities, standards, and norms to guide social workers' behavior and professional conduct. The Code of Ethics is divided into six categories based on the unique purpose it serves. They are: 1) The mission of social work that is established by the core values of The Code 2) The set of ethical standards used to guide the practice of social work is a reflection of the broad ethical principles and profession's core values outlined by The

In 2008 the CSWE adopted a “competency” based educational model for its EPAS (CSWE.org, 2015, p.6). The CSWE defines “social work competence as the ability to integrate and apply social work, knowledge, values, and skills to practice situations in a purposeful, intentional, and professional manner to promote human and community well-being” (CSWE.org, 2015, p.6). As such, there are 9 EPAS competencies. Competency 1 is the demonstration of professional and ethical conduct by social work professionals. This competency according to the CSWE is accomplished through the utilization of the NASW Code of Ethics that guide professionals to conduct themselves ethically in professional settings. This competency also stress the utilization of the technology in an ethical and responsible manner, and emphasize the importance of collaboration with other professionals in the field for support when making professional judgments. Competency 2 require students to gain an understanding of the broad variety of differences in human experiences and apply that understanding