December 6th, 2021
Why Are Good Ethics Important in Social Work?
Ethics are the set of principles and moral guidelines that tell you how should behave in any given circumstance. If you enter the field of social work, it’s critical that you adhere to ethics that are beyond reproach. The people you encounter may be vulnerable, frightened, and distrustful. It’s up to you to earn their trust and assist them with empathy and compassion. A good place to start is with good ethics.
The Purpose of Ethics in Social Work
Ethics are at the heart of social work. They outline the professional standards necessary to protect the dignity and rights of others, while also protecting you if you work in the field. Ethics ensure that you represent your clients well and honor your colleagues, the profession, and society as a whole. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has developed a Code of Ethics to help social workers make professional decisions that are morally sound. The code extends to students who study social work as well as established employees in the field. The code includes these components:
Ethics Serve Social Work Ideals
There are six core values of the social work field:
- Service
- Social justice
- Dignity and worth of the individual
- Importance of human relationships
- Competence
- Integrity
These are the ideals to which all social workers should aspire. The social work Code of Ethics was built around these core values.
Good Ethics Help Identify and Prevent Conflicts of Interest
The Code of Ethics helps you identify appropriate and inappropriate behaviors for you, your colleagues, and your clients and to avoid conflicts of interest. For example, it would be a conflict of interest for you to get paid for a referral or accept lavish gifts from a client. Understanding right from wrong helps you understand that even the appearance of a conflict of interest could harm the trust you’ve built with your clients and in your profession.
Social Work Ethics Hold Members of the Profession Accountable
A standard set of ethics creates rules and a means to hold social workers accountable if they step out of bounds. Good ethics help you focus on your clients and the integrity of the profession. In the event of questionable ethical behavior, the NASW has a formalized process to handle complaints. When everyone understands expectations, it’s better for you and the people you serve.
It Encourages Self-Care
In 2021, the NASW updated the Code of Ethics to include provisions for self-care. Social work can be a challenging career path. The work can take a mental and emotion toll, especially when you deal with clients who have suffered serious trauma. The updated language in the Code of Ethics encourages workplaces to promote professional practices and policies that support the personal health and well-being of employees.
If you feel called to pursue a rewarding career in social work, we can help you forge a path. Limestone University offers both a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work degree that will introduce you to ethical decision-making, human behavior, and social welfare. Click the button to learn more.
