Why Are Social Work Ethics So Important Anyway?

1. Why Are Social Work Ethics So Important Anyway? Nancy E. Sherman, Ph.D. Bradley University nes@bradley.edu

2. 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.

3. 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.  • A professional code of ethics provides guidance on how the profession conducts it’s work and is based on the values of the profession

4. 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

5. 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

6. Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics • The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics serves 6 purposes: • identifies core values on which social work's mission is based • summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession's core values & establishes a set of specific ethical standards used to guide social work practice • helps social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise

7. Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics, contd. • provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable • socializes practitioners new to the field to social work's mission, values, ethical principles, & ethical standards • articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct

8. What if the Ethical Code is Violated? • NASW has formal procedures to adjudicate ethics complaints filed against its members • In subscribing to the Code of Ethics, social workers are required to: • cooperate in its implementation, • participate in NASW adjudication proceedings, and • abide by any NASW disciplinary rulings or sanctions based on it.

9. 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 • This is the difficulty in resolving ethical dilemmas--how to contend with all the facets of one's ethical obligations in light of competing social work values. 

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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. 

13. Ethical Decision Making Process Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving – Frederic Reamer and Sr. Ann Patrick Conrad • DETERMINEwhether there is an ethical issue or/and dilemma. Is there a conflict of values, or rights, or professional responsibilities?

14. Ethical Decision Making Process, contd. • IDENTIFY the key values and principles involved. • RANK the values or ethical principles which - in your professional judgment - are most relevant to the issue or dilemma.

15. Ethical Decision Making Process, contd. • DEVELOP an action plan that is consistent with the ethical priorities that have been determined as central to the dilemma. • IMPLEMENTyour plan, utilizing the most appropriate practice skills and competencies.

16. Ethical Decision Making Process, contd. 6. REFLECT on the outcome of this ethical decision making process.

17.  Social Worker’s Ethical Assessment Screen   • to “help social workers further clarify and integrate the ethical aspects of decision making in social work practice.” • Identify your own relevant personal values in relation to this ethical dilemma • Identify any societal values relevant to the ethical decision to be made • Identify the relevant professional values and ethicsWhat can you do to minimize conflicts between personal, societal, and professional values?

18. Ethical Assessment Screen, contd. 4. Identify alternative ethical options that you may take 5. Which of the alternative ethical actions will protect to the greatest extent your client’s and others’ rights and welfare? 6. Which alternative action will protect to the greatest extent possible society’s rights and interests? What can you do to minimize conflicts between your client’s, others’ and society’s rights and interests?

19. Ethical Assessment Screen, contd. 7. Which alternative action will result in your doing the “least harm” possible? 8. To what extent will alternative actions be efficient, effective and ethical? 9. Have you considered and weighed both the short and long term ethical consequences?

20. Common Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work • Right to Self-determination • Confidentiality • Differences of Morals and Values • Dual Relationships • Administrative Dilemmas

21. Thank You for Your Attention!