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