The Principles of Social Work Values and Ethics
Social work is a multifaceted professional activity carried out by various social agencies to enhance personal resources and promote social health, civil and personal well-being, competitiveness, and social integration. The primary goals of social work are to provide clients with social support, facilitate their integration into society, enhance self-control and problem-solving skills, and modify the social environment to create opportunities for personal growth (Omerov et al., 2020). Social work’s aims and directions are focused on the realization of human rights and the provision of social assistance. Social work, as a process, primarily entails interaction between a social worker’s personality and the personalities of clients or client groups.
In this regard, a social worker’s primary professional viewpoint is unreservedly the importance of individual and universal human values. Professional values of social workers are based on this position, which is one of the sources and is expressed in the ethical standards of social work that determine the features of moral and ethical aspects of social work, as well as the specifics of implementing universal human morality principles in the sphere of social services and social work. Universal values, such as justice and kindness, served as the foundation for the development of professional social work concepts.
In a way, professional values are examined for ethical “correctness” only if they align with the highest universal standards. Social work occurs in contexts shaped by time, place, and social environment. A social worker’s clients have a particular psychological constitution and a specific moral and social experience (Smeeton & O’Connor, 2020). All of this calls for the formation of unique professional values for social work.
Professional values guide a social worker in adhering to the principles of their profession, enabling them to make the most ethical choice in diverse scenarios. For a social work professional, ethical standards determine the purpose and direction of the specialist’s actions. The substance of social work is diverse; it cannot be limited to the professional connection between a social worker and a client. Furthermore, it is a component of state social policy and, as such, must be grounded in concepts that define the nature of a social worker’s moral relationships with the client, society, and the state.
The Principles of Social Work Values in Relation to Professional Practice
A social worker’s professional duties bring him into close contact with others in the same profession. An individual social worker’s job cannot be conceived independently of the organization or team in which they work. As a result, professional moral values must guide him in this area of his work. In this regard, clarifying the meaning of “professional moral principles” in social work may be worthwhile (Hanhimäki & Risku, 2021). Professional moral principles are the value orientations of a social worker that govern the meaning and direction of their actions as a representative of the profession executing state social policy.
The following are ethical principles that serve as guidance in the work of social workers:
- Respect for the client’s personality and the dignity of each person with whom the social worker is professionally associated;
- Respect for each person’s trust;
- Observance of professional honesty;
- Respect for the individual’s right to make their own decision;
- Respect for the client’s legitimate interests.
These concepts are closely tied to my field experience. I use them in my profession to stay a highly competent social worker. I always treat customers with respect, establish a reliable connection, and maintain honesty. I also provide the customer with the option to select, therefore honoring their human rights. I think that everyone has dignity, which is their inherent worth. The original value of my social work is respect for the dignity of each individual. Respect for others is demonstrated only when the social worker is polite to clients and coworkers, recognizing their human dignity.
In his interactions with clients, a social worker, in my opinion, should refrain from engaging in behaviors that demean their human dignity. According to this definition, not every individual possesses positively significant attributes and, as a result, cannot be deserving of respect. In certain circumstances, this scenario renders the application of this theory impossible.
It is particularly relevant to customers whose behavior and life experiences have demonstrated that they are “far from moral.” However, a social worker should not behave as a judge for this type of client. More “productive” from the point of view of morality would be the social worker’s desire to see in the client a person capable either of repentance or of good deeds.
Dealing with Potential Ethical Conflicts in Professional Practice
I will apply these ethical principles in future field practice when making decisions about the problems I will encounter. For example, if I encounter a difficult situation in which my client turns out to be a criminal or simply a person who does not adhere to moral principles in their actions, I will not condemn them. Social workers are supposed to help individuals, not exacerbate their situation. The first step of the plan will be to listen carefully to the client, and then I will provide assistance tailored to their specific situation. I will use counseling as therapy, during which I will identify the client’s behavior and address the root cause.
References
Hanhimäki, E., & Risku, M. (2021). The cultural and social foundations of ethical educational leadership in Finland. The Cultural and Social Foundations of Educational Leadership: An International Comparison, 83-99.
Omerov, P., Craftman, Å. G., Mattsson, E., & Klarare, A. (2020). Homeless persons’ experiences of health‐and social care: A systematic integrative review. Health & Social Care In The Community, 28(1), 1-11.
Smeeton, J., & O’Connor, P. (2020). Embodied social work practice within risk society. Journal of Social Work, 20(5), 673-691.