Identifying as a Professional Social Worker, the Code of Ethics, and Your Field Placement
Study Notes
Skill Lab 1 – Week One Discussion 2
Topic: Identifying as a Professional Social Worker, the Code of Ethics, and Your Field Placement
1. Introduction
Professional Identity in Social Work: Involves embracing the values, ethics, and responsibilities of the profession.
NASW Code of Ethics: Serves as the guiding framework for professional conduct.
Field Placement: Provides experiential learning, bridging theory and practice, and shaping professional identity.
Purpose of Discussion: To explore how social work students identify as professionals, apply ethical principles, and integrate learning from field placements.
2. Identifying as a Professional Social Worker
Definition: The process of internalizing social work values, roles, and responsibilities.
Core Elements:
Commitment to service, social justice, dignity, and worth of the person.
Recognition of professional boundaries and responsibilities.
Continuous learning and self‑reflection.
Professional Roles: Advocate, counselor, mediator, researcher, policy influencer.
Identity Formation:
Begins in education through coursework and reflection.
Strengthened in field placements through practice.
Solidified through ongoing professional development.
Challenges: Balancing personal values with professional ethics, managing role conflict, and navigating systemic barriers.
Strategies for Growth: Mentorship, supervision, peer collaboration, and reflective practice.
3. The NASW Code of Ethics
Purpose: Provides standards for ethical decision‑making and professional conduct.
Core Values:
Service
Social Justice
Dignity and Worth of the Person
Importance of Human Relationships
Integrity
Competence
Ethical Principles:
Respect for client self‑determination.
Commitment to confidentiality and privacy.
Responsibility to challenge social injustice.
Professional integrity and honesty.
Application in Practice:
Guides decision‑making in complex cases.
Provides accountability to clients, colleagues, and society.
Serves as a foundation for professional identity.
Ethical Dilemmas:
Conflicts between client autonomy and safety.
Balancing confidentiality with duty to warn.
Navigating cultural differences and systemic inequities.
Resolution Strategies:
Consultation with supervisors and colleagues.
Use of ethical decision‑making models.
Reflection and adherence to professional standards.
4. Field Placement as Experiential Learning
Definition: Structured practice experience in agencies or organizations under supervision.
Purpose:
Apply classroom knowledge to real‑world practice.
Develop professional skills and identity.
Gain exposure to diverse populations and settings.
Learning Outcomes:
Enhanced understanding of social work roles.
Improved communication and engagement skills.
Application of ethical principles in practice.
Development of critical thinking and problem‑solving.
Supervision:
Provides guidance, feedback, and support.
Encourages reflection and professional growth.
Challenges in Field Placement:
Navigating agency policies and resource limitations.
Managing emotional impact of client work.
Balancing academic and practice responsibilities.
Strategies for Success:
Active participation and initiative.
Open communication with supervisors.
Reflective journaling and self‑care.
Commitment to learning and growth.
5. Integration of Identity, Ethics, and Field Placement
Professional Identity: Strengthened through application of ethics in practice.
Ethics: Provide the foundation for decision‑making in field placements.
Field Placement: Offers opportunities to embody professional identity and ethics.
Cycle of Growth:
Education introduces values and ethics.
Field placement provides practice opportunities.
Reflection solidifies professional identity.
Outcome: Competent, ethical, and reflective social workers committed to service and justice.
6. Case Example
Scenario: A student in field placement encounters a client experiencing domestic violence.
Ethical Considerations: Balancing confidentiality with duty to protect.
Professional Identity: Acting as advocate and support while respecting client autonomy.
Field Placement Role: Applying classroom knowledge, consulting with supervisor, and engaging community resources.
Outcome: Student strengthens professional identity, applies ethics, and gains practical skills.
7. Contemporary Issues
Globalization: Requires intercultural competence in diverse settings.
Technology: Raises ethical concerns about confidentiality and digital communication.
Social Movements: Influence professional identity and advocacy roles.
COVID‑19 Impact: Highlighted need for adaptability in field placements and ethical decision‑making in crisis contexts.
Policy Reform: Field placements expose students to systemic inequities and advocacy opportunities.
8. Support Needs for Students
Training: Ongoing education in ethics and professional identity.
Supervision: Guidance in navigating complex cases.
Peer Support: Collaboration and shared learning.
Resources: Access to professional organizations and networks.
Self‑Care: Strategies to manage stress and emotional impact.
9. Conclusion
Identifying as a professional social worker involves embracing values, ethics, and responsibilities.
The NASW Code of Ethics provides the foundation for professional conduct.
Field placement bridges theory and practice, shaping identity and competence.
Integration of identity, ethics, and practice fosters growth and commitment to social justice.
Ultimately, social work education and field experiences prepare students to become ethical, competent, and reflective professionals.
Quiz (15 Questions)
Multiple Choice
Which organization developed the Code of Ethics guiding social work practice? a) APA b) NASW c) WHO d) UN
Which of the following is NOT a core value of social work? a) Service b) Integrity c) Profitability d) Competence
Field placement primarily serves to: a) Replace classroom learning b) Provide experiential practice opportunities c) Eliminate supervision needs d) Focus only on research
Which ethical principle emphasizes client autonomy? a) Confidentiality b) Self‑determination c) Integrity d) Competence
Which perspective emphasizes cumulative experiences across the lifespan? a) Systems Theory b) Ecological Perspective c) Life Course Perspective d) Psychodynamic Theory
True/False
Professional identity in social work is shaped only by personal values. (False)
The Code of Ethics provides accountability to clients and society. (True)
Field placement bridges theory and practice. (True)
Confidentiality can never be breached under any circumstances. (False)
Reflective practice strengthens professional identity. (True)
Short Answer
Define professional identity in social work.
Provide one example of an ethical dilemma in field placement.
Identify two benefits of field placement for students.
Describe one strategy for managing challenges in field placement.
How does the Code of Ethics support professional identity formation?
Identifying as a Professional Social Worker, the Code of Ethics, and Your Field Placement
To be a professional social worker means embodying the knowledge and standards of the profession. The NASW Code of Ethics is considered one of the bedrocks on which our profession is based and serves as a guiding document for the everyday practice of social workers. In this Discussion, you will explore the Code of Ethics and discuss how it is relevant to you and to your field placement.
BY DAY 3 (Please write out the sub headings)
To Prepare:
Review the NASW Code of Ethics.
Imagine how you would discuss the role of a social worker with friends or family.
Think ahead to your field experience and the types of scenarios you may encounter then
By Day 4
Post a response to the following:
In your own words, describe the primary mission of the social work profession. For your response, imagine you are describing this to a friend or family member.
Define what constitutes an ethical dilemma.
Give an example of an ethical dilemma you might encounter in your field experience (i.e., internship). This could involve your own actions, the actions of a supervisor, or an agency policy.
Identify the Code of Ethics that applies to the ethical dilemma you described.
Describe what you would do to address the situation. Be specific in identifying your dilemma and in identifying what part of the Code of Ethics applies
Please write out the sub headings)
Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
