Social work values and ethics

¶ … Nasw Code of Ethics

Sociology

Author's institution affiliation

Reflection Upon the NASW Code of Ethics

The National Association of Social Workers composed and presented a code of ethics for social workers. This paper serves as a reflection upon the code and the aspects of the code that struck me personally as an individual, and as a social worker. Ethics interest me in general and they are particularly intriguing as they relate to social work. An aspect of the code that stood out to me was the necessity and the methods for clear separation of relationships with clients. I was in particularly in awe regarding the thin line between practicing and behaving ethically and unethically with respect to social work. The code also connected to a memory I have about a presenter from the course, who spoke of ethics as an issue that one practices without education. I will reflect upon the aspects and critically consider how the code and my reactions to the code as part of a critical consideration upon ethics in social work.

Step 1: Describe

I first read the code while in a public library. I was in a secluded area of a library during the afternoon. I had been working on other assignments and decided to turn to social work studies. I was relatively alone while I read and this was good for me because I had apparent visceral reactions to the code as I read it.

I made exaggerated facial expressions, including ones of confusion, surprise, and interest. There were a few times while reading that I said a word or phrase aloud, such as "Really?" Or "Obviously!" As I continued to read through the code, I noticed how my body language changed. When I first began reading, I was sitting upright, very alert. As I continued, I slouched down, became more relaxed, or became so focused that I was situated so that I had the laptop screen close to my face. In preparation for my reflection, I tried to recreate this situation, to sort of recreate the mood and the context of the first reading to help inform my reflection upon this code.

More preparation for this reflection includes rereading class notes from the course and skimming through the most relevant readings for me on this particular subject. I did also reread the NASW code of ethics again, to rekindle any intense feelings or recollections I had about specific points, as well as to check if there were any new insights or reflections I now since the time of my first reading.

My preparation for this reflection reinforced one of the primary reactions I initially had regarding this code: that there is a thin line between having ethics and lacking ethics when practicing social work. Ethics is fundamental to the mission of social work. It is arguable that lack of ethics produces the need for social work; thus, to have and practice ethics in social work is crucial.

Step 2: Examine

After concluding the preparations for my reflection, I began to reflect upon my personal experiences and how they might inform how I reacted to the NASW code. I thought about the importance of articulation of relationships and declaration of boundaries with respect to social workers and their clients. I have not had a social worker assigned to me or someone in my family, but I have known people who have. I have also not seen a therapist or counselor professionally in my life, but I have known people who have and who do. This aspect of the code made me think about these instances in my life and compare them. I realize that social workers, in a way, can be a kind of therapist for individuals and families. Just as much as it is important to have clear boundaries between psychologist and patient, it is critical to the success of the social work practice for the social worker to have clear boundaries with the clients.

It is very easy to get caught up in the personal dramas of those that we help, whether in a professional capacity, such as a social worker, or a personal capacity, such as a friend or family member. Social workers might not be the healthiest people in the world, or not have their lives in complete order -- so it does not benefit a client to have an over-involved social worker in their lives in a greater capacity or outside the capacity of their job descriptions. Certainly, the people who need social workers, need assistance, and are often underprepared for life's challenges. Therefore, it behooves social workers to respect the boundaries between them and their clients. It is dangerous for social workers and clients alike if boundaries within that relationship are not respected or adhered to. My personal experiences, as they relate to this reflection, tell me that the relationship between social worker and client is in some ways fragile, with the ability to grow quite strong. It is also a relationship that demands care and respect or else it will fail miserable or otherwise go horribly wrong.