WEEK 7: AT A GLANCE ETHICS AND VALUES

Social work is a values-based profession; as such, social workers are expected to adhere to professional ethical standards, which include a specific commitment to the “vulnerable and oppressed.”

Ethics represent an integral part of competent social work practice, and entering this profession means that you agree to uphold and abide by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics is founded upon six core values from which the ethical standards are framed. The code outlines the ethical responsibilities social workers apply to (1) clients; (2) colleagues; (3) in practice settings; (4) as professionals; (5) to the social work profession; and (6) to the broader society.

This week, you examine the NASW Code of Ethics and apply an ethical decision-making framework to a specific dilemma.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will:

Evaluate ethical dilemmas in social work using an ethical decision-making framework

Analyze influence of professional social work standards on ethical decision making

Apply social work concepts to social work practice scenarios

LEARNING RESOURCES

PLEASE READ CHAPTERS FROM THE ATTACHMENTS I HAVE PROVIDED AND REFERENCE YOUR WORK FROM THE READING BELOW

Required Readings

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.

Chapter 11, “Values, Ethics, and the Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas” (pp. 419–465)

National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.Links to an external site. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx

Reamer, F. G. (2014, June). Eye on ethics: The evolution of social work ethics.Links to an external site. Social Work Today. http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_061614.shtml

Document: Social Media and Ethical Considerations Download Social Media and Ethical Considerations(PDF)

RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMAS

If there is a right and wrong answer, there is no ethical dilemma. An ethical dilemma occurs when one or more competing ethical principles must be considered and weighed against each other.

Social workers serve individuals, families, and communities who experience complex problems for which there are rarely simple solutions, or right or wrong answers. As such, social workers use the NASW Code of Ethics to identify the various ethical principles and standards that will guide ethical decision making.

In this Discussion, you apply social work ethics as you analyze an ethical dilemma