Week 3: The Social Work Profession: Ethics and Values
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has set guidelines for the standards and necessary qualifications for the social work profession. Consider the following standard and minimum qualifications.
NASW Standards:
Ethics and Values
Social workers shall function in accordance with the values, ethics, and standards of the profession, recognizing how personal and professional values may conflict with or accommodate the needs of diverse clients. (NASW, 2013, p. 4)
Qualifications
The social work case manager shall possess a baccalaureate or advanced degree in social work from a school or program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; shall comply with the licensing and certification requirements of the state(s) or jurisdiction(s) in which she or he practices; and shall possess the skills and professional experience necessary to practice social work case management. (NASW, 2013, p. 4)
Why are title and licensure standards accepted as indispensible elements of assuming the identity of social worker? What stumbling blocks may prevent individuals from attaining the necessary title and licensure to become social workers? Consider the importance of these qualifications in the context of ethical practice as you prepare for this week’s assignments.
This week, you examine strengths and weaknesses surrounding social work title protection and licensure. You also consider approaches to handling potential ethical challenges in social work situations.
Reference: National Association of Social Workers. (2013).NASW standards for social work case management. Washington, DC: Author.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze strengths and challenges associated with social work title protection
- Analyze strengths and weaknesses associated with social work licensure
- Analyze ethical behaviors in response to a potential quandary
Photo Credit: [pinstock]/[E+]/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Note:To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in theCourse Materialssection of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Document: Social work values and ethics (3rd ed.). (PDF)
Reamer, F. G. (2006).
New York, NY: Columbia University Press, pp. 1–86.
National Association of Social Workers XXXXXXXXXXCode of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx
Daley, M. R., & Doughty, M. O XXXXXXXXXXUnethical social work: Comparing licensing and NASW perspectives.NASW perspectives.Arete, 30(2), 36–50.
Grady, M. D., & Strom-Gottfried, K XXXXXXXXXXNo easy answers: Ethical challenges working with sex offenders.Clinical Social Work Journal, 39(1), 18–27.