CHAPTER TWO PROFESSIONAL CODES OF ETHICS The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2 nd ed.)

Key Ideas  Different groups of social workers have developed separate codes of ethics to guide their work.  The NASW Code of Ethics is the most widely known and utilized of the codes. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

The NASW Code of Ethics  Responsibilities to clients  Responsibilities to colleagues  Responsibilities in practice settings  Responsibilities as professionals  Responsibilities to the profession  Responsibilities to broader society © 2011 Taylor & Francis

International Federation of Social Workers Ethical Statement  Contains a more explicit and pervasive emphasis on human rights than NASW Code of Ethics  Forms common standards of achievement and recognizes rights accepted by the global community  Equates human rights with human dignity  Emphasizes a global perspective and the importance of economic, social, and cultural rights for all people © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Limits of Ethical Codes  The role of context  Risk taking and creativity  Diversity © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Ethics and the Law  Duty to report: Child protection  Duty to report: Adult protection  Duty to protect: Threats of violence  Tarasoff I  Tarasoff II © 2011 Taylor & Francis