Values System in Social Work: M. Rezaul Islam, Professor, ISWR University of Dhaka

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Values System in Social Work

M. Rezaul Islam, PhD (Nottingham)


Professor, ISWR
University of Dhaka
E-mail: rezauldu@gmail.com
The Nature of Values

A value is a type of belief, centrally located


in one’s total belief system, about how
one ought, or ought not to behave, or
about some end-state of existence worth
or not worth attaining.
What are social work values?

• Traditionally, the values that underpin social work have been central
to its practice and what makes it distinctive among other professional
groups. Maintaining behavioural codes and standards of practice
aimed at protecting the public are undoubtedly essential, however,
social work values are perceived to be more than adhering to a set of
rules. Due to the types of situations social workers encounter and
have to deal with, they also have to explore personal aspects of their
value base and be aware of how their values affect the work they do.
In this way their professional identity and standards of professional
integrity inform the complex and difficult situations they deal with
(Wiles, 2012, Banks, 2010).
Requirements of social work values
Banks (2010) suggested that in the education of social workers there needed
to be consideration of:
• ‘A commitment to a set of values, the content of which relates to what it
means to be a ‘good person in a professional role’ and/or a ‘good
professional’.
• An awareness that the values are interrelated to each other and form a
coherent whole and that their interrelationship is what constitutes the
overarching goals or purpose of the profession.
• A capacity to make sense of professional values and their relationship to
the practitioner’s own personally held values.
• The ability to give a coherent account of beliefs and actions.
• Strength of purpose and the ability to implement these values.’
Three basic values of social work values
In 2012, the British Association of Social Workers issued a revised Code of
Ethics for Social Work that emphasised its commitment to three basic values:
• Human rights – respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as
expressed in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Social justice – a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to
society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work
• Professional integrity – a responsibility to respect and uphold the values
and principles of the profession and act in a reliable, honest and
trustworthy manner. (BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work - Statement of
Principles (p. 8))
BASW guideline
The BASW code, for example, also notes that social workers have to:
• work with conflicting interests and competing rights
• have a role to support, protect and empower people, as well as
having statutory duties and other obligations that may be coercive
and restrict people’s freedoms
• are constrained by the availability of resources and institutional
policies in society.
Top 5 Values in Being a Social Worker

• Service to Humanity
• Social Justice
• Human Dignity and Worth
• Integrity
• Competence
Service to Humanity

• Service to others is one of the main values in social work, from which
all of the other values stem. Social workers acknowledge that serving
others is more important than self-interest and put the needs of their
clients ahead of their own. This can be difficult at times, and you'll be
expected to seek the advice of your supervisor or even participate in
your own psychotherapy to help you deal with any personal issues
that may arise. Additionally, the value of service means that you'll be
encouraged to volunteer some portion of your time - or working on a
pro bono basis, according to the Code of Ethics of the National
Association of Social Workers.
Social Justice
• Social justice is another key value of social work. Many social workers
decide to enter the profession because they recognize the need to
help underprivileged, vulnerable populations, such as the homeless,
those struggling with substance abuse issues or victims of domestic
violence. Becoming a social worker means that you have an inherent
desire to improve the lives of people who are less fortunate or unable
to advocate for themselves. According to the Code of Ethics of the
National Association of Social Workers, social change efforts in social
work are primarily focused on unemployment, poverty, discrimination
and other forms of social injustice.
Human Dignity and Worth

• As a social worker, you understand the inherent value of every human


life, regardless of background or beliefs. You respect the differences
between your personal beliefs and those of your clients, taking into
account ethnic and cultural diversity. There may be times that you
have to deal with your own biases against a particular population. It
can be a struggle, but you have to put aside your feelings for the sake
of helping your clients. You acknowledge that your clients have the
right to self-determination -- even if you think you know what's best
in a given situation.
Integrity

• Integrity means acting honesty, responsibly and ethically at all times.


You are trustworthy and you don't betray client confidentiality, unless
you're required to do so in certain circumstances by law, such as in
cases of suicidality. Not only do you act with integrity, but you also
promote integrity in your colleagues and other professionals. For
example, you don't ignore a colleague who gossips about a cli
Competence
• The value of competence means that you practice in your area of
expertise -- and you don't misrepresent your skills or experience to
get ahead. According to an article published in 2009 in "The Journal
of Social Work Values and Ethics," competence also means that you're
continually striving to improve your knowledge and to make
meaningful contributions to the profession. This might mean that you
participate in continuing education classes or professional
conferences on a regular basis or engage in academic research.
A List of Ethical Dilemmas Facing Social Work
• Right to Self-Determination
• Confidentiality
• Differences of Morals and Values
• Dual Relationships
• Administrative Dilemmas
Right to Self-Determination

• One of the guiding principles of social work is respect for the client's
right to self-determination. This principle means that the client is
ultimately in charge of making his own decisions and finding solutions
to problems, regardless of whether a social worker agrees with his
course of action. A social worker may provide guidance and help
clients explore their options, but she may not allow her own opinions
and personal biases to influence the client. This is a difficult dilemma
that is created by the social worker's desire to act in the client's best
interest and the need to respect his right to act in a way that he feels
is best.
Confidentiality

• Another common ethical dilemma encountered by both novice and


experienced social workers is the right to confidentiality versus the
right to self-determination, especially in cases of suicidal clients.
Social workers must respect a client's right to privacy and
confidentiality, and they may not disclose information about a client
without his prior, written consent. Social workers must also respect a
client's right to self-determination, that is, his right to choose his
preferred course of action. But in cases of suicidality or the threat of
harm to another person, a social worker is obligated to break
confidentiality to protect her client and the public.
Differences of Morals and Values

• All social workers have their own internal value system and set of
morals. Despite their best efforts to keep their feelings in check and
to respect differences, social workers are often confronted with
situations in which their values and morals conflict with those of their
clients. For example, a social worker who holds certain religious or
moral values about abortion may face an ethical dilemma when trying
to assist a teen client who becomes pregnant and wishes to have an
abortion.
Dual Relationships

• Engaging in dual relationships - meaning having a friendship or


romantic relationship with a client - is forbidden by the social work
code of ethics. And once a social worker terminates contact with a
client, the relationship technically is over. A social worker may find
herself in the same social situation or, for example, in the grocery
store with a former client and his family. The social worker cannot
simply ignore the client, yet at the same time, she may not know how
far to take their interaction. These are examples of common ethical
dilemmas many social workers face that are difficult to resolve and
require professionalism, courtesy and good judgment.
Administrative Dilemmas
• Not all ethical dilemmas in social work involve direct client contact.
According to social work professor Frederic G. Reamer in an article for
"Social Work Today," social workers employed in administrative roles
may also come up against a number of challenging ethical dilemmas.
For example, directors of human services agencies may need to make
difficult decisions regarding the allocation of funds or agency
resources. The decision to provide funds to one program and to cut
funding from another is just one example of a stressful and trying
ethical dilemma social work administrators face.

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