A Summary On Ethics, Values and Social Work Identity (Ies)

A Summary on Ethics, Values and Social Work Identity (ies)
Having been tasked of making a personal summary of all of the topics previously
discussed by my classmates in our subject, Ethics – The Code of Ethical Standards of the
Social Work Profession, I admit that the designated work at hand required a much deeper
understanding since I must now present these various concepts according to my own
perusal and must not depend on certain explanations which can be read in other research
materials. Certainly, this has given me the privilege of learning these things at my own
pace and has cleared vague matters through my rigid review of the reports I have heard. I
would like to thank my professor for this opportunity because this enabled me to test
myself whether I had indeed absorbed varied concepts in relation to my own
appreciation. These concepts about social work which are connected with the topics on
ethics, values and social work identity are summarized in the subsequent paragraphs, to
wit:
A clear understanding about professional identify must be attained in order to

fully understand the significance of being a social worker. The professional identity of a
person aspiring to become a future social worker would show all of his/her individual
aspects like values, norms, knowledge, and other areas. These various areas are needed to
be understood in a certain degree since these would definitely affect a specific evaluation
and assessment of the social worker’s personality which in the end would ultimately
affect his/her method of exercising the profession of social work.
In an educational setting, the professional identity of a social worker mainly

focuses on his/her education. This entails that a social worker develops his professional
identity through the acquisition of knowledge by doing research and listening to lectures.
This shows that the social worker has indeed absorbed different theories of social work.
On the other hand, the placement setting of a social worker affects his/her
professional identity by considering his/her daily undertakings and activities since these
would have an impact in the formation of said professional identity. This is indeed a
complementary concept to the educational setting previously discussed for this would fill
the gaps left by the one’s learning through a raw understanding of a certain concept. It
cannot be denied that it is futile it you have the ability of mastering all theories yet you
don’t have the experience of applying them. In the placement setting, the social worker’s
interaction with the people in the community would help him/her become a much better
practitioner of his profession. The lessons which can be learned in the process would
definitely aid in defining his unique professional identity.
In line with the formation of professional identity, a social worker needs to

consider building up one’s professional ethics. It is an established fact that each
profession requires a certain degree of professional ethics for this would manifest the
demarcation line between regular individuals in the society and the practicing
professionals. The articulation of ethical principles and basic values are clearly necessary
in order to assure the existence of a peaceful and harmonious society. The establishment
of a functioning community in the area where professional ethics is greatly applied is
evidently beneficial not just to the social worker but also to the clientele in general.
Consequently, the stringent application of professional ethics would produce the

required professional boundaries. This is explicitly an important matter to be understood
by anyone wishing to enter the realm of social work. This would serve the wall dividing
the influence of the social worker and the vulnerability of the client. It is a matter of
understanding the roles of the social worker and the client. Without the creation of this
important mantle, an abuse of authority may occur which is now detrimental not only to
the welfare of the client but also to the reputation of the social worker. This would
definitely negate the expected proper professional identity out of every social worker.
The maintenance of the required practice of professional ethics is constantly
maintained through the establishment of varied concepts of international ethics as well as
laws being implemented by the government. It is understood that ethics per se guides
each one of us on what is the right thing to do in all aspects of life. Thus, it is only fitting
that laws must be enacted and thoroughly implemented in order to provide specific rules
which are mandatory in nature to ensure the sustainability of a society governed by the
rule of law. The enactment of these laws are greatly needed in situations wherein certain
violators must learn to accept the consequences of their actions which could serve as a
lasting warning to other professionals who had the malicious intent of committing the
same erroneous act. A law punishing these individuals would filter the practice of the
profession of social work in order to adhere to the pre-existing norms of international
ethics.
Another concept which must be tackled as I observed its necessity is the topic on
reflective practice. This is necessary since this presents the unpredictable nature of
human behavior. It is the moment when all of us experience the extremities of being
human since this is the time when we either perform a good as well as a bad deed.
Although this is indeed applicable in every aspect of a person’s life, this finds great
relevance in the practice of the profession of social work. Through this method, a social
worker is able to understand a person’s perspective by reflecting upon various
circumstances like certain problems and dilemmas which are constant in this life. By
reflecting upon these events, a social worker has a better perspective and strategy in
trying to resolve a certain scenario involving a certain client. Yet this method requires an
ample amount of experience, the beneficial effects are undeniably greater in the
consideration of a client’s welfare.
Additionally, a social worker needs to understand the concept of technical rational

approach. This is a process wherein a social worker reconstructs and reassesses varied
situations in order to come up with an ideal solution to a certain problem. This method
shows the superiority of knowing through reason in trying to resolve different conflicts
life may bring. However, a technical methodology is also required in order to assure that
rationality was properly applied. It is a common scenario wherein rationality if applied
without following certain procedures could not produce the desired effect in the
resolution of conflicts. Hence, there is a great need of addressing a certain manner by
applying a technical approach on the case at hand.
Lastly, a social worker needs to be well-acquainted with professional judgment.

This requires a social worker to have the required skills in situations which call for a vital
decision-making stage. This situation calls for an evaluation of different sources before
making said decision in order to consider all probable implications out of said decision.
This decision will not only affect the welfare of the clientele but also the standards
expected out of a social worker in the society. At the end of the day, this is the stage
wherein the ability of the social worker is greatly tested since this is the moment when all
of the concepts and theories learned through the years of study are being simultaneously
applied.
The summary I have given of the above-mentioned concepts are only parts of the
wide area of social work which must be learned by a prospective social worker. It only
means that there is much to learn in this process of practicing the profession of social
work. This is inevitably required in order to fully embrace the necessity of considering
the welfare of prospective clients which in this present time need our help.

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A Summary on Ethics, Values and Social Work Identity (ies)

A clear understanding about professional identify must be attained in order to

In an educational setting, the professional identity of a social worker mainly

In line with the formation of professional identity, a social worker needs to

Consequently, the stringent application of professional ethics would produce the

Additionally, a social worker needs to understand the concept of technical rational

Lastly, a social worker needs to be well-acquainted with professional judgment.

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