ETHICS AND VALUES

IN SOCIAL WORK

BY LC. NYAMAKA
 ARMS

• Training institutions
• Government
• Employers of social workers (CSOs, FBOs, NGOs)
• National Association of Social Workers – Zimbabwe (NASW-
Z)
• Council of Social Workers (CSW)
 WHY REGULATING SOCIAL WORK

1. Promote Professional identity and integrity through the Social

Work Code of ethics and their set of Values that contribute
towards service provision
2. Protect the public service users and clients from potential harm
3. Promote increasing inter-professional work-force/groups: There
is need for a distinctive professional identity especially when
social workers deal with other professionals.
4. Promote the quality of services offered: IFSW has stated the
ability and commitment of social workers to act ethically as an
essential aspect to those who use our services.
5. -and Protect the Professional Space: The Social Workers Act
sought to protect the name “social worker”, and require all social
workers to register and be licensed to practice by CSW.
 DEFINING SOCIAL WORK

• The practice and calling of a social worker is noble and honorable. It

seeks to do that which if we all did or shared that vision, the world will
be a better and safer place, with all living and looking to the future
with confidence.
• Broadly, a social worker is a person whose profession or occupation is
social work which promotes the welfare of the human being and the
betterment of human society through the development and systematic
application of scientific knowledge of human and societal activities
and social services.

4
• Professional social workers aim at satisfying the need and aspirations
of individuals and groups at national and international level, while
constantly bearing in mind the need for promoting social policy, using
techniques that include psycho therapeutic casework, social-dynamic
group work and planned community intervention, and their activities
include performing the function of probation officers in terms of the
Children’s Act (Chapter 5:06) ,(definition as per S.4.(1) as read with the
First Schedule of the Social Workers Act (Chapter 27:21) , (hereinafter
referred to as “the Act”) .

5
 GLOBAL DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK
PROFESSION

• The following definition was approved by the IFSW

General Meeting and the IASSW General Assembly in July
2014:
• “Social work is a practice-based profession and an
academic discipline that promotes social change and
development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and
liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human
rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities
are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of
social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous
knowledge, social work engages people and structures to
address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.
 FUNCTIONS & OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL
WORK
• “Helping people to help themselves” Social work deals with
the scientific solution and treatment of the social and
individual’s problem.
• Its main aim is to increase human happiness in general.
Therefore social work has been focused towards the
attainment of two goals,
• first: the creating of those conditions which help to make a
more satisfying way of life possible,
• Second: the development within the individual as well as
community, that which helps to live more adequately and
creativity.
 CONTI…

• Social Work is profession which removes the social,

economical, psychological, educational, political,
environmental etc problem on three stages…
1. Individual Problem (Micro)
2. Group Problem (Meso)
3. Community Problem(Macro)
SUMMATION OF SOCIAL WORK FUNCTIONS

• Functions of Social Work Social work operates to assists

individuals in adjusting to the institutional framework of
society & attempts to modify the institutional framework
of itself in appropriate area.
• There are four broad functions of social work i. Curative
function ii. Correctional function iii. Preventive function iv.
Developmental function
 OBJECTIVES

Generally Social work has following Objectives

• To solve psycho-social problems.
• To fulfill humanitarian needs.
• To solve adjustment problems.
• To create self sufficiency.
• To making harmonious social relations.
• Develop democratic values.
• Provide opportunities for development and social programme.
• Provide socio legal act.
• Change the environment in favour of individuals growth &
development.
• Bring Change in social system for social development.
 ETHICS

WHY ARE SOCIAL WORK

ETHICS SO IMPORTANT
ANYWAY?
 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ETHICS?

Definitions from the Dictionary:

• moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the

conducting of an activity.

• the moral correctness of specified conduct.

• a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or

affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct.
 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ETHICS?
• The word "ethics" means a system or code of morals of a
particular profession.

• The word "moral" or to be "moral" means to be capable of

making the distinction between right and wrong.

• Moral reasoning/ethical reasoning in social work practice

means being able to make the distinction between right and
wrong in how one conducts the practice of social work.
• These are the values in action that influence preferences for
behaviour in relationships (Levy 1993:2).

• A professional code of ethics provides guidance on how the

profession conducts it’s work and is based on the values of the
profession.
 SOCIAL WORK CODE OF ETHICS

• Professional ethics are at the core of social work

• An ethical code, detailing the values and ethical principles
of a profession is developed by the professional
organization.
• Ethical principles listed in a Social Work Code of Ethics
are developed based on social work's core values of:
• service
• social justice
• dignity and worth of the person
• importance of human relationships
• integrity
• competence
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CODE
OF ETHICS?
• An ethical code in Social Work serves several
important purposes:
• Articulates the basic values, ethical principles, and
ethical standards of the profession.

• Guides the social worker’s conduct and behavior

• Is relevant to all social workers & social work

students, regardless of professional functions,
settings in which they work, or populations they serve

• Holds social workers accountable to the general

public
 DEFINING VALUES

• These are ideals that one believes in and strives towards. It

therefore involves preferences for certain actions
(Bernstein & Gray 1996:137; Hoffman & Sallee 1994:32;
Levy 1993:2).
 LEVELS OF VALUES

• Bernstein & Gray (1996:88-90) and

Loewenberg & Dolgoff (1996:50-53)
distinguish certain levels of values.
• Differences in the values of the respective
levels can result in conflict, for example,
differences between the values of a worker
and a client or differences between the
values of the worker and the organisation.
 LEVELS OF VALUES
LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Societal values These are usually reflected through the government, in
terms of the policy and welfare model which it subscribes
to, for example a residual (welfare is a privilege) or
institutional model (welfare is a right
Professional values The values of the profession, which are reflected through
respect for the person and social entitlement. Social
workers are held accountable for the expression of their
values by means of the ethical code.
Values of the This is demonstrated by means of the policy of the
organisation organisation involved, for example, by only providing
social relief for a limited period. This reflects the
organisation‟s value of encouraging independence
Values of the client Clients have their own frame of reference regarding
values, which in the light of their problematic nature
need to be reconsidered
Social workers own This is that which the worker as a person believes in,
values their own ideals and what they as human beings strive
towards
 VALUES IN SOCIAL WORK

According to the CSW (2012) The

core values of the profession of
Social work is committed social work, which
must be shared by all social
to five basic values:
workers include-
1. Human dignity and (a) service above self;
worth (b) social justice;
(c) unhu/ubuntu;
2. Social justice
(d) professional integrity
3. Service to humanity (e) competence;
4. Integrity (f) importance of human
relationships;
5. Competence
(g) respect of human rights;
(h) respect of diversity.
 VALUES

Social work is committed to five basic values:

• Human dignity and worth
• Social justice
• Service to humanity
• Integrity
• Competence
 HUMAN DIGNITY AND WORTH

• All persons have a right to well-being, self-

fulfilment and to as much control over their
lives as is consistent with the rights of
others
• Social workers have a duty to respect basic
human rights and show respect for all
persons
 SOCIAL JUSTICE

• Social justice includes equal treatment and

protection under the law and fair
distribution of resources to meet basic
human needs
• The pursuit of social justice involves
identifying, seeking to aleviate and
advocating strategies for overcoming
structural disadvantage
 SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Fundamental goals are:

- to meet personal and social needs
- to enable people to develop their full
potential
- to contribute to the creation of a fairer
society
 INTEGRITY

• Integrity comprises honesty, reliability,

openness and impartiality and is an
essential value in the practice of social work
 COMPETENCE

• Proficiency in social work practice is an

essential value
• Social workers have a duty to identify,
develop, use and disseminate knowledge,
theory and skill for social work practice
 DEFINING PRINCIPLES

• This refers to a foundation, conviction, point of reference

and basis for discussion (Lombard, Weyers & Schoeman
1991:76).
 7 PRINCIPLES OF CASEWORK
RELATIONSHIP
• These 7 principles were propounded by F.P Biestek in
1957.
• Purposeful expression of feelings
• Controlled emotional involvement
• Acceptance
• Individualisation
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Client self-determination
• Confidentiality
 PRINCIPLES

• Social workers serve the development of human beings through

adherence to the following basic principles:
1. Every human being has a unique value, which justifies moral
consideration for that person.
2. Each individual has the right to self-fulfilment to the extent that it does
not encroach upon the same right of others, and has an obligation to
contribute to the well-being of society.
3. Each society, regardless of its form, should function to provide the
maximum benefits for all of its members.
4. Social workers have a commitment to principles of social justice.
5. Social workers have the responsibility to devote objective and disciplined
knowledge and skill to aid individuals, groups, communities, and societies in
their development and resolution of personal-societal conflicts and their
consequences.
 PRINCIPLES CONTI ..

6. Social workers are expected to provide the best possible

assistance to anybody seeking their help and advice, without unfair
discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, colour, social
class, race, religion, language, political beliefs, or sexual orientation.
7. Social workers respect the basic human rights of individuals and
groups as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international conventions derived from
that Declaration.
8. Social workers pay regard to the principles of privacy,
confidentiality, and responsible use of information in their
professional work. Social workers respect justified confidentiality
even when their country's legislation is in conflict with this
demand.
 PRINCIPLES CONTI….

9. Social workers are expected to work in full collaboration with

their clients, working for the best interests of the clients but paying
due regard to the interests of others involved. Clients are
encouraged to participate as much as possible, and should be
informed of the risks and likely benefits of proposed courses of
action.
10. Social workers generally expect clients to take responsibility, in
collaboration with them, for determining courses of action affecting
their lives. Compulsion which might be necessary to solve one
party's problems at the expense of the interests of others involved
should only take place after careful explicit evaluation of the claims
of the conflicting parties. Social workers should minimise the use of
legal compulsion.
 PRINCIPLES CONTI….

11. Social work is inconsistent with direct or indirect support

of individuals, groups, political forces or power-structures
suppressing their fellow human beings by employing
terrorism, torture or similar brutal means.
12. Social workers make ethically justified decisions, and
stand by them, paying due regard to the IFSW International
Declaration of Ethical Principles, and to the International
Ethical Standards for Social Workers adopted by their
national professional association.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

S O U R C E S O F I N F O R M AT I O N :
- N AT I O N A L A S S O C I AT I O N O F S O C I A L W O R K E R S
(2017) CODE OF ETHICS, USA
- COUNCIL OF SOCIAL WORKERS (2012) SOCIAL
W O R K E R S C O D E O F E T H I C S , S TAT U T O R Y
INSTRUMENT 146, 2012
 SERVICE

• Value: Service
• Ethical Principle: Social workers' primary goal is to help
people in need and to address social problems.
• Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest.
Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills
to help people in need and to address social problems.
Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion
of their professional skills with no expectation of
significant financial return (pro bono service).
 SOCIAL JUSTICE

• Value: Social Justice

• Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
• Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and
on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and
groups of people. Social workers' social change efforts are
focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment,
discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These
activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge
about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social
workers strive to ensure access to needed information,
services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and
meaningful participation in decision making for all people.
DIGNITY AND WORTH OF THE PERSON

• Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person

• Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and
worth of the person.
• Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful
fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic
diversity. Social workers promote clients' socially responsible
self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients'
capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own
needs. Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to
clients and to the broader society. They seek to resolve conflicts
between clients' interests and the broader society's interests in a
socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical
principles, and ethical standards of the profession.
IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

• Value: Importance of Human Relationships

• Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central
importance of human relationships.
• Social workers understand that relationships between and
among people are an important vehicle for change. Social
workers engage people as partners in the helping process.
Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among
people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain,
and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social
groups, organizations, and communities.
 INTEGRITY
• Value: Integrity
• Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy
manner.
• Integrity comprises honesty, reliability, openness and
impartiality and is an essential value in the practice of social
work
• Social workers are continually aware of the profession's mission,
values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a
manner consistent with them. Social workers act honestly and
responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the
organizations with which they are affiliated.
 COMPETENCE

• Value: Competence
• Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their
areas of competence and develop and enhance their
professional expertise.
• Social workers continually strive to increase their
professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in
practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the
knowledge base of the profession.
FOCUS OF SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION

• Professional social work is focused on problem solving

and change
• The profession strives to alleviate poverty and to liberate
vulnerable and oppressed people in order to promote
social inclusion
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
CLIENTS
1. Accept primary responsibility to identified clients, but
within limitations set by the ethical claims of others.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
CLIENTS
2. Maintain the client's right to a relationship of trust, to
privacy and confidentiality, and to responsible use of
information. The collection and sharing of information or
data is related to the professional service function with the
client informed as to its necessity and use. No information is
released without prior knowledge and informed consent of
the client, except where the client cannot be responsible or
others may be seriously jeopardized. A client has access to
social work records concerning them.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
CLIENTS CONTI …..
3. Recognise and respect the individual goals, responsibilities,
and differences of clients. Within the scope of the agency and
the client's social milieu, the professional service shall assist
clients to take responsibility for personal actions and help all
clients with equal willingness. Where the professional service
cannot be provided under such conditions the clients shall be
so informed in such a way as to leave the clients free to act.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
CLIENTS CONTI …..
4. Help the client - individual, group, community, or society-
to achieve self-fulfilment and maximum potential within the
limits of the respective rights of others. The service shall be
based upon helping the client to understand and use the
professional relationship, in furtherance of the clients
legitimate desires and interests.
SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
1. Work and/or cooperate with those agencies and organizations
whose policies, procedures, and operations are directed toward
adequate service delivery and encouragement of professional practice
consistent with the ethical principles of the IFSW.
2. Responsibly execute the stated aims and functions of the agency or
organizations, contributing to the development of sound policies,
procedures, and practice in order to obtain the best possible
standards or practice.
3. Sustain ultimate responsibility to the client, initiating desirable
alterations of policies, procedures, and practice, through appropriate
agency and organization channels. If necessary remedies are not
achieved after channels have been exhausted, initiate appropriate
appeals to higher authorities or the wider community of interest.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS CONTI ….
4. Ensure professional accountability to client and community
for efficiency and effectiveness through periodic review of the
process of service provision.
5. Use all possible ethical means to bring unethical practice to
an end when policies, procedures and practices are in direct
conflict with the ethical principles of social work.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
COLLEAGUES
1. Acknowledge the education, training and performance of
social work colleagues and professionals from other
disciplines, extending all necessary cooperation that will
enhance effective services.
2. Recognise differences of opinion and practice of social
work colleagues and other professionals, expressing criticism
through channels in a responsible manner.
 SOCIAL WORK STANDARDS RELATIVE TO
COLLEAGUES CONTI …..
3. Promote and share opportunities for knowledge,
experience, and ideas with all social work colleagues,
professionals from other disciplines and volunteers for the
purpose of mutual improvement.
4. Bring any violations of professionals ethics and standards
to the attention of the appropriate bodies inside and outside
the profession, and ensure that relevant clients are properly
involved.
5. Defend colleagues against unjust actions.
 STANDARDS RELATIVE TO THE
PROFESSION
1. Maintain the values, ethical principles, knowledge and
methodology of the profession and contribute to their
clarification and improvement.
2. Uphold the professional standards of practice and work for
their advancement.
3. Defend the profession against unjust criticism and work to
increase confidence in the necessity for professional practice.
4. Present constructive criticism of the profession, its
theories, methods and practices
5. Encourage new approaches and methodologies needed to
meet new and existing needs.
SOCIAL WORK AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
BY LC . N YA M A K A
 HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their

very humanity.” Nelson Mandela
• The history of human rights is that of the struggle against
exploitation of one person by another. It is based on the
recognition of basic rights founded on the concept of the
inherent dignity and worth of every individual.
 HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• The United Nations (UN) was established following World

War II (1939–45) in June 1945 with 50 member states. The
UN plays an important role across the globe in assuring
security and human rights for all people. December 10, 1948,
marks a very important day in history, because the General
Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In embracing the
Declaration, 48 nations asserted their strong obligation that all
humans deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and
with peace in the world.
 HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• Thus recognition of inherent dignity and worth of every

individual was consolidated in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United
Nations. Its preamble asserted “recognition of the inherent
dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members
of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and
peace in the world”.
 HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• The social work profession shares a close relationship with

human rights, because it adheres to values such as respect,
dignity, and self-determination - values that are strongly
embedded in the code of ethics for all practitioners. The social
work profession is highly regarded for challenging the
inhumane treatment of vulnerable people, its commitment to
challenge anti-oppressive practice, and most importantly,
ensuring that vulnerable people are given a voice!
DEFINING SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN RIGHTS

The term "human “Social work is a practice-based

profession and an academic discipline
rights" refers to that promotes social change and
those rights that are development, social cohesion, and the
considered empowerment and liberation of
universal to people. Principles of social justice,
human rights, collective responsibility
humanity, regardless
and respect for diversities are central
of citizenship, to social work. Underpinned by
residency status, theories of social work, social sciences,
ethnicity, gender, or humanities and indigenous knowledge,
other social work engages people and
structures to address life challenges
considerations. and enhance wellbeing (IFSW, 2014)
 SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are "commonly Social Work is the professional
understood as inalienable activity of helping individuals,
fundamental rights to which a groups, or communities enhance or
person is inherently entitled restore their capacity for social
functioning and creating societal
simply because she or he is a
conditions favourable to
human being. Human rights
are thus conceived as universal this goal. Social work in its various
(applicable everywhere) and forms addresses the multiple,
complex transactions between people
egalitarian (the same for
and their environments. Its mission is
everyone). These rights may
to enable all people to develop their
exist as natural rights or as full potential, enrich their lives, and
legal rights, in local, regional, prevent dysfunction. Professional
national, and international law. social work is focused on problem
solving and change.
 IFSW STATES THAT

• “ Social Workers respect the basic human rights of

individuals and groups as expressed in the united nations
universal declaration of human rights and other
international conventions derived from that
declaration”(IFSW:2000).
 THE BASIC INSTRUMENTS
CONCERNING HUMAN RIGHTS
• Charter of the United Nations (1945)
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• The Covenants on Human Rights (1966)
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (1965)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(1979)
• Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (1984)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
• International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant
Workers and Members of their Families (1990)
THESE GLOBAL INSTRUMENTS ARE REINFORCED BY:

• The European Convention on Human Rights (1950)

• The American Convention on Human Rights (1969)
• The African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights
(1981)
THE COVENANTS AND CONVENTIONS ARE SUPPORTED
BY UN DECLARATIONS:

• The Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons (1971)

• The Protection of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts
(1974)
• The Elimination of All forms of Religious Intolerance (1981)
• The Right to Development (1986)
 VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• Despite these agreements, gross and subtle violations of human rights

are perpetrated every day against thousands of people.
• The phenomenon of the “disappeared”, the torture of political
prisoners, summary killings and arbitrary arrests, the increasing use of
the death penalty, the extortion of confessions by physical and mental
abuse, the manipulation of and the intellectual, emotional and moral
pressures imposed on individuals in an attempt to condition their
personalities, the detention of prisoners without trial, the economic
exploitation of adults and children, displacement of populations due to
internal conflicts – these and other violations are all too evident
throughout the world.
• The victims of human rights abuses continue to suffer for many years
as a result of their experience.
 VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

• Many factors contribute to the violations of human rights. The

collapse of totalitarian regimes in Eastern Europe did not
bring an end to the human rights abuses. The resurgence of
nationalism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in countries with
established democracies, as well as in the former Eastern bloc,
posed new challenges to the United Nations.
• In Africa, the rise of tribalism undermined the integrity of
nations and led to widespread abuse of the most basic rights to
life. In more than one region of the world, there has been a
disturbing re-emergence of genocide in situations of armed
conflict.
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• Human Rights condenses into two words the struggle for

dignity and fundamental freedoms which allow the full
development of human
potential. Civil and political rights have to be accompanied by
economic, social and cultural rights.
• Social workers serve human development through adherence
to the following basic principles:
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• Every human being has a unique value, which justifies moral

consideration for that person.
• Each individual has the right to self-fulfilment to the extent that it
does not encroach upon the same right of others, and has an
obligation to contribute to the well-being of society.
• Each society, regardless of its form, should function to provide the
maximum benefit for all of its members.
• Social workers have a commitment to principles of social justice.
• Social workers have the responsibility to devote objective and
disciplined knowledge and skill to work with individuals, groups,
communities, and societies in their development and resolution of
personal-societal conflicts and their consequences.
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• Social workers are expected to provide the best possible assistance

without unfair discrimination on the basis of both gender, age,
disability, race, colour, language, religious or political beliefs,
property, sexual orientation, status or social class.
• Social workers respect the basic human rights of individuals and
groups as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international conventions derived from that
Declaration.
• Social workers pay regard to the principles of privacy, confidentiality
and responsible use of information in their professional work. Social
workers respect justified confidentiality even when their country’s
legislation is in conflict with this demand.
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• Social workers are expected to work with their clients, working for the best
interests of the clients but paying due regard to the interests of others
involved. Clients are encouraged to participate as much as possible, and
should be informed of the risks and likely benefits of proposed courses of
action.
• Social workers generally expect clients to take responsibility for
determining courses of action affecting their lives. Compulsion which might
be necessary to solve one party’s problems at the expense of the interests of
others involved should take place after careful explicit evaluation of the
claims of the conflicting parties. Social workers should minimise the use of
legal compulsion.
• Social workers make ethically justified decisions, and stand by them, paying
due regard to The Ethics of Social Work – Principles and Standards adopted
by the International Federation of Social Workers.
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• These principles, drawn from the experience of social workers

in carrying out their responsibility to help people with
individual and social problems, place a special responsibility
on the social work profession to advance the cause of human
rights throughout the world.
 ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

• Social workers deal with common human needs. They work to

prevent or alleviate individual, group and community
problems, and to improve the quality of life for all people. In
doing so, they seek to uphold the rights of the individuals or
groups with whom they are working.
 ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

• The value base of social work with its emphasis on the unique
worth of each individual has much in common with human rights
theory. Social workers frequently operate in situations of conflict,
and are required by their national codes of Ethics and in the
international Ethical Principles and Standards to demonstrate
respect for all regardless of their previous conduct. Their
experience of the impact of social conditions on the capacity of
individuals and communities to resolve difficulties means that they
recognise that the full realisation of civil and political rights is
inseparable from the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural
rights. Policies of economic and social development have,
therefore, a crucial part to play in securing the extension of human
rights.
 ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

• As a result of their particular role and responsibility in society,

social workers are often the conscience of the community.
Therefore, the value system, training and experience of social
workers requires that they take professional responsibility for
promoting human rights. Social workers need to work with
other professions and non-governmental organisations in
action on human rights issues. As advocates for change, they
are often in the forefront of movements for change and thus
are themselves subject to repression and abuse. The IFSW
Human Rights Commission was established in 1988 to
support social workers under threat for pursuing their
professional responsibilities.
 HUMAN RIGHTS AS PROCLAIMED BY
IFSW (2012)
• IFSW, representing the social work profession internationally,
proclaims the following human rights as a common standard
and guide for the work of all professional social workers:
 LIFE

• The value of life is central to human rights work. Social

workers have not only to resist violations of human rights
which threaten or diminish the quality of life, but also actively
to promote life enhancing and nurturing activities.
• Physical and psychological well-being is an important aspect
of the quality of life. The deterioration of the environment and
the non-existence of curtailment of health programmes
threaten life.
• Social workers assert the right of individuals and communities
to have protection from preventable disease and disability.
 FREEDOM AND LIBERTY

• All human beings are born free. The fundamental freedoms

include the right to liberty, to freedom from slavery, to
freedom from arbitrary arrest, torture, cruel inhuman or
degrading treatment, and freedom of thought and speech.
• Next to life itself, freedom and liberty are the most precious
human values asserting the worth of human existence.
EQUALITY AND NON DISCRIMINATION

• The fundamental principle of equality is closely linked to

principles of justice. Every person regardless of birth, gender,
age, disability, race, colour, language, religious or political
beliefs, property, sexual orientation, status or social class has a
right to equal treatment and protection under the law.
• Social workers have to ensure equal access to public services
and social welfare provision in accordance with the resources
of national and local governments, and have a particular
responsibility to combat discrimination of any kind in their
own practice.
 JUSTICE

• Every person has a right to protection against arbitrary arrest or

interference with privacy, and to equal protection under the law. Where
laws have been violated, every person has a right to a prompt and fair
trial by an objective judicial authority. Those convicted are entitled to
humane treatment whose purpose is to secure the reform and social
readaptation of the individual.
• The impartial operation of the law is a crucial safeguard for the citizen in
the administration of justice. Social justice, however, requires more than
a legal system untainted by interference by the executive. It requires the
satisfaction of basic human needs and the equitable distribution of
resources. It requires universal access to health care and education, thus
enabling the achievement of human potential. It underpins concepts of
social development. In the pursuit of social justice workers may have to
face conflict with powerful elite groups in any given society.
 SOLIDARITY

• Every person whose fundamental freedoms are infringed has a

right to support from fellow citizens. The concept of solidarity
recognises the fraternity ideal of the French Revolution, and
the importance of mutual support. Social workers give
expression to this through the Human Rights Commission in
relation to social workers whose political freedoms are
infringed. In their daily practice they express solidarity with
the poor and oppressed. Poverty, hunger, and homelessness are
violations of human rights. Social workers stand with the
disadvantaged in campaigning for social justice.
 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Social responsibility is the recognition that each of us has a

responsibility to family, to community, to nation and to the
world community to contribute personal talents, energy and
commitment to the advancement of human rights. Those with
intellectual and physical resources should utilise them to assist
those less well equipped. Social work’s engagement with the
disadvantaged is a reflection of that responsibility. No person
or collective body has the right to engage in any activity,
including propaganda, to incite war, hostility, hatred, bigotry
or violence, contrary to the institution and maintenance of
human rights.
 PEACE AND NON VIOLENCE

• Peace is more than the absence of organised conflict. It is the

goal of achieving harmony with self and with others. Social
workers are committed to the pursuit of non-violence. Their
experience in conflict resolution teaches that mediation and
arbitration are effective instruments to overcome seemingly
irreconcilable differences. Non-violence does not mean
passivity in the face of injustice. Social workers will resist and
exercise non-violent pressure for change, but will not engage
in acts of violence in the course of their professional activity.
Social workers devote its energies to constructive efforts to
achieve social justice.
 THE ENVIRONMENT

• Humankind has trusteeship responsibility for the care of the

planet. Environmental degradation poses a threat to life itself
in some areas, and to the quality of life in many countries.
False development models based on industrialisation, the
unequal distribution of resources, excessive consumerism and
ignorance of the pernicious consequences of pollution have all
contributed to this global plight. Social workers need to work
with community groups in tackling the consequences of
environmental decline and destruction.
 SCOPES

• Women
• Children
• Indigenous people
• Refugees
• The elderly/ aged
• Minority groups (ethnic groups, gays, lesbians)
• People living with disabilities
• People living with HIV/AIDs
 CONCLUDING REMARKS

• Human Rights are inseparable from Social work theory,

values and ethics, and practice. Rights corresponding to
human needs have to upheld and fostered as they embody
the justification and motivation for social work action.
Advocacy of such rights must therefore be an integral part
of social work, even if in countries living under
authoritarian regimes such advocacy can have serious
consequences for Social work professionals.
 WHAT IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?

• What social workers do is based on values, and social work ethics

are social work values in action.

• Therefore, an ethical dilemma, by definition, is a circumstance which

occurs only when two or more social work values are in conflict

• Resolving ethical dilemmas is difficult--how to contend with all the

facets of one's ethical obligations in light of competing social work
values.
 ETHICAL DILEMMA CONDITIONS

• Three conditions necessary for a situation to be

considered an ethical dilemma:

• The social worker must make a decision about

which course of action is best.

• There must be different courses of action to

choose from.

• In an ethical dilemma, no matter what course of

action is taken, some ethical principle is
compromised.
 TWO TYPES OF ETHICAL DILEMMAS
• An “absolute” or “pure” ethical dilemma occurs when two
(or more) ethical standards apply to a situation but are in
conflict with each other
• An “approximate” dilemma occurs in a complicated
situation that requires a decision but may also involve
conflicts between values, laws, & policies.
• When attempting to resolve an ethical dilemma in
practice:
• Determine if it is an absolute or approximate dilemma
• Distinguish between personal and professional dimensions
• Identify the ethical, moral, legal, and values considerations in the
situation

• Once these are determined, an ethical decision making

process or model can be used to reach a decision
 HOW IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA
RECOGNIZED?
• One measure of ethical conduct in any occupation is the
continuity between what the practitioner is supposed to do &
what is actually done.

• The more what one is supposed to do & what one does

coincide, the more ethical the practice.

• Because of the complexity of what social workers do, all the

interests affected by an ethical issue in practice can not always
be reconciled.

• However, ethical practice requires that ethical dilemmas are

satisfactorily reckoned with to fulfill ethical responsibility.
 ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
ETHICAL THEORIES
•Ethical theories provide part of the decision-making foundation for Decision Making When
Ethics Are In Play because these theories represent the viewpoints from which individuals
seek guidance as they make decisions.
•Each theory emphasizes different points – a different decision-making style or a decision
rule—such as predicting the outcome and following one’s duties to others in order to reach
what the individual considers an ethically correct decision.
•In order to understand ethical theory, there must be some understanding of a common set of
goals that decision makers seek to achieve in order to be successful.
•Four of these goals include beneficence, least harm, respect for autonomy, and justice.
 BENEFICENCE

• The principle of beneficence guides the decision maker to do

what is right and good.
• This priority to “do good” makes an ethical perspective and
possible solution to an ethical dilemma acceptable.
• This principle is also related to the principle of utility, which
states that we should attempt to generate the largest ratio of good
over evil possible in the world.
• This principle stipulates that ethical theories should strive to
achieve the greatest amount of good because people benefit from
the most good.
• This principle is mainly associated with the utilitarian ethical
theory.
 LEAST HARM

•Similar to beneficence, least harm deals with situations

in which no choice appears beneficial.
•In such cases, decision makers seek to choose to do the
least harm possible and to do harm to the fewest people.
 RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY

• This principle states that decision making should

focus on allowing people to be autonomous— to be
able to make decisions that apply to their lives.
• Thus, people should have control over their lives as
much as possible because they are the only people
who completely understand their chosen type of
lifestyle.
 JUSTICE

• The justice ethical principle states that decision

makers should focus on actions that are fair to those
involved.
• This means that ethical decisions should be consistent
with the ethical theory unless extenuating
circumstances that can be justified exist in the case.
• This also means that cases with extenuating
circumstances must contain a significant and vital
difference from similar cases that justify the
inconsistent decision.
 TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORIES

(i) Teleological theories

• Value based theories - An act is morally right if it promotes the
good or what has value.
(a) Consequentialism (and utilitarianism)
• developed by Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832),
• Whether an act is morally right depends solely on consequences
or the goodness of consequences.
(b) Virtue ethics
• Aristotle (384–322BC).
• Whether an act is morally right or good depends on whether it is
in conformity or conflict with certain virtues (or character traits).
 TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORIES …

•(ii) Deontological theories

•‘Deontological’ (from the Greek deon, “duty” or “obligation”)
•Whether an act is morally right or wrong depends on whether it
is in conformity or conflict with moral duties and rights.
•A duty not to harm anyone.
•A duty not to lie, kill innocent people, or torture.
•These prohibitions constrain us in what we may do to any
person (not just those close to us), even in pursuit of good ends.
TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORIES CONTI …

(a)Kantian deontology (monistic & absolutistic)

• Emmanuel Kant (1724–1804) was a German philosopher.
• Kant (Kantian deontology): absolute or exceptionless – we
should not lie or kill no matter what.
(b) Rossian deontology (pluralistic & pro tanto)
• Ross (Rossian deontology): pro tanto – we should not lie or
kill unless there are very good reasons to do so (overriding
reasons).
TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORIES CONTI …

• Deontological theories are most easily understood in contrast

to consequentialist theories.
• While consequentialists hold that we should choose the
available action with the best overall consequences,
deontologists hold that we should act in ways constrained by
moral rules or rights, and that these rules or rights are defined
(at least partly) independently of consequences.
• Whereas consequentialists claim that we should always strive
to promote the best consequences, deontologists claim that our
moral obligations (whatever they are) are in some ways
independent of consequences.
 HOW DO WE DETERMINE WHETHER LYING OR KILLING
IS MORALLY RIGHT OR WRONG?

The consequentialist`s answer: The deontologist`s answer:

By appeal to consequences By appeal to norms, rights or
obligations
The rightness or wrongness of lying or
killing must be explained by its The rightness or wrongness of lying or
consequences: if it has good killing cannot be explained simply by its
consequences, then it may be right to lie consequences. The actions of lying or
killing are (often) wrong in themselves,
or kill. independently of whether they have
On the other hand, if it has bad good consequences.
consequences, then it may be wrong to
lie or kill
 RANK ORDERING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

- There are a number of ethical criteria that social workers may

find helpful when assessing decision alternatives.
- Among these are protection of a client’s rights and welfare,
protection of society’s interests, the least harm principle, and
efficiency and effectiveness.
- the preferred way of resolving such conflicts among ethical
principles is a priority ordering of these principles—that is,
rank ordering them from the most important to the least
important.
 CONTI …

- A priority ordering of principles is especially helpful when

two or more ethical standards conflict.
- Such ordering may be helpful even though ‘‘ordering
principles is not an easy task’’ (Christensen, 1986, p. 82) and
even when there is not complete agreement on what the order
should be.
- A priority ordering of ethical principles can provide social
workers with a guide, but such a guide is not meant to be a
magic formula.
 CONT….

- the following two guides or screens are believed to be helpful

in making ethical decisions.
- these guides are called the ethical rules screen (ERS) and the
ethical principles screen (EPS)
- These guides are meant to be only tools––they should never be
applied blindly.
GUIDELINE FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING: THE
DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND TOOLS
Ethical rules screen (ERS)

Examine the Code of Ethics to determine if

any of the Code rules are to be applicable.
These rules take precedence over the
worker’s personal value system

The Code does not

address the specific
One or more of
problem or several
the code rules
Code rules provide
: apply
conflicting
guidance

Follow the Code rules

Use the ethical principle screen
 CONTI …

- The ERS should always be used first.

- Only when this screen does not provide sufficient guidance
should the social worker turn to the EPS.
- To be useful, a guide for rank ordering ethical principles must
clearly indicate the order of priority of such principles.
- Once such a priority list has been established, the operating
rule is that the satisfaction of a higher-order principle takes
precedence over the satisfaction of a lower-order principle.
- the EPS is the key ethical assessment tool for resolving ethical
practice dilemmas.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES SCREEN (EPS)

Protection life

Social justice

self determination, autonomy

and freedom

Least harm

Quality of life

Privacy and confidentiality

Truthfulness and disclosure

 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 1

• The protection of human life applies to all persons,

both to the life of a client and to the lives of all
others.
• In the EPS, this principle takes precedence over every
other obligation.
• ‘‘The right to life is the most basic of all rights, for if
one’s right to life is violated one cannot enjoy any
other rights’’
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 2

• The principle of social justice suggests that all persons in the

same circumstances should be treated in the same way—that
is, persons in equivalent situations have the right to be treated
equally.
• At the same time, persons in different situations have the right
to be treated differently if the inequality is relevant to the issue
in question.
• Unequal treatment can be justified when other considerations
such as beneficence (the duty to do good and not harm others)
outweigh the social justice principle or on the grounds that
such unequal treatment will promote greater social justice.
 CASE

• For example, this principle applies in situations that involve

child abuse or elder abuse because the abused child (or elder)
and the abuser are not in an equal position.
• In these circumstances, the principles of confidentiality and
autonomy with respect to the abusing adult are of a lower rank
order than the obligation to protect the child or older person.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 3

• A social worker should make practice decisions that foster a

person’s self-determination, autonomy, and freedom, his
right to and ability to make his or her own decisions.
• Freedom, though highly important, does not override the right
to life or survival of the client or of others.
• No person has the right to decide to harm someone else on the
grounds that such a decision is his or her inalienable right.
• When a person is about to make such a decision, the social
worker may be obligated to intervene because Ethical
Principle 1 takes precedence.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 4

• The least harm principle holds that when faced with

options that have the potential for causing harm, a
social worker should attempt to avoid these.
• When no matter what a social worker does, harm is
unavoidable; a social worker should choose the
option that will cause the least harm, the least
permanent harm, and/or the most easily reversible
harm.
 CONTI…..

• If harm has been done, the social worker should

attempt where possible to repair the harm done.
• Removal of a child from an abusive family setting
can result in harm to both the child and the family.
• The least harm principle suggests that the social
worker weigh—to the greatest extent possible—how
the most good and the least harm will be caused by
her decisions.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 5

• A social worker should choose the option that promotes a

better quality of life for the client, as well as for the
community.
• Consistent with the Code of Ethics, a social worker’s primary
responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients (NASW
Code, 2008).
• Although ‘‘social workers should promote the general welfare
of society, from local to global levels, and the development of
people, their communities, and their environments’’ (NASW
Code, 2008) the priority responsibility is to the client before
others.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 6

• A social worker should make practice decisions that strengthen

every person’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
• Keeping confidential information inviolate is a direct
derivative of this obligation.
• Professionals have a duty to protect the privacy of clients and
groups to the greatest extent possible, consistent with laws and
professional ethics.
• Confidentiality, however, is not sacrosanct when the social
worker can prevent violence or harm of a serious nature to
others.
 ETHICAL PRINCIPLE 7

• A social worker should make practice decisions that permit her

to speak the truth and to fully disclose all relevant
information to her client and to others.
• Social and professional relationships require trust in order to
function well, and trust, in turn, is based on honest dealing that
minimizes surprises so that mutual expectations are generally
fulfilled.
• Social workers are expected to inform clients as appropriate of
their relevant training and education, the methods they will be
using, fees, confidentiality, the rights of the client, access to
files, and so on.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-

Solving – Frederic Reamer and Sr. Ann
Patrick Conrad (1995)

1.DETERMINE whether there is an ethical issue

or/and dilemma. Is there a conflict of values, or
rights, or professional responsibilities?
 ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
PROCESS, CONTD.
2. IDENTIFY the key values and principles
involved.

3. RANK the values or ethical principles which - in

your professional judgment - are most relevant to
the issue or dilemma.
 ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
PROCESS, CONTD.

4. DEVELOP an action plan that is consistent with the

ethical priorities that have been determined as central
to the dilemma.

5. IMPLEMENT your plan, utilizing the most

appropriate practice skills and competencies.
 ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PROCESS,
CONTD.

6. REFLECT on the outcome of this ethical decision

making process.
 GROUP WORK

• Come up with cases and show how you can solve ethical
problems
• Presentation of cases & solutions
 COMMON ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN
SOCIAL WORK
• Right to Self-determination

• Confidentiality

• Differences of Morals and Values

• Dual Relationships

• Administrative Dilemmas
 CONCERNS

• Social workers are concerned with social problems; they

consider the whole individual (including their biological,
psychological, sociological, familial, cultural, and spirital
subsystems) within the context of their situation