2. SOCIAL WORK VALUES AND ETHICS BEN 101 Starz College of Technology Email:nesreobhinneh@gmail.com

3. WHY PROFESSIONAL VALUES? Medicine Medicine Law Law Journalism Journalism Insurance Insurance Social Work Social Work "is a values based profession; that is, everything social workers do must be with professional values in mind.” (Kirst-Ashman 2007) "is a values based profession; that is, everything social workers do must be with professional values in mind.” (Kirst-Ashman 2007)

4. Social Work: Values and Ethics Values- a principle considered worthwhile or important. Values- a principle considered worthwhile or important. “values determine what beliefs are appropriate.” (Kirst-Ashman 2007) “values determine what beliefs are appropriate.” (Kirst-Ashman 2007) Ethics are derived from values. Guide people on what is “good” and what is “bad.” Ethics are derived from values. Guide people on what is “good” and what is “bad.” “Ethics address what to do with or how to apply those beliefs” (Kirst-Ashman 2007) “Ethics address what to do with or how to apply those beliefs” (Kirst-Ashman 2007)

5. VALUES Beliefs, preferences, or assumptions about what is desirable or good for humans. Cannot be scientifically investigated or proven. Cannot be scientifically investigated or proven. Values affect how we practice. Values affect how we practice. We get to help people clarify their own values. We get to help people clarify their own values. It’s critical that we understand our own values. It’s critical that we understand our own values.

6. Ethical Dilemmas Values and Ethics are in constant conflict in professional environments which can result in ethical dilemmas or a situation where you must make a difficult choice between two or more alternatives. Values and Ethics are in constant conflict in professional environments which can result in ethical dilemmas or a situation where you must make a difficult choice between two or more alternatives. Guidelines established for ethical decision making by NASW Code of Ethics Guidelines established for ethical decision making by NASW Code of Ethics

7. SOCIAL WORK MISSION To enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are oppressed, vulnerable and living in poverty. NASW To enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are oppressed, vulnerable and living in poverty. NASW

8. NASW CODE OF ETHICS NATIONAL ASSOCATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS Six core values: Six core values: Service Service Social Justice Social Justice Dignity and Worth of the person Dignity and Worth of the person Importance of human relationships Importance of human relationships Integrity Integrity Competence Competence

9. Purpose of NASW of Ethics Identify social work values Identify social work values Guidelines for practice Guidelines for practice Addressing ethical dilemmas Addressing ethical dilemmas Professional Accountability Professional Accountability Upholding missions, goals, ethics inherent in social work profession Upholding missions, goals, ethics inherent in social work profession Setting specific standards for practice that can be used to judge social work conduct Setting specific standards for practice that can be used to judge social work conduct

10. NASW Code of Ethics Standards related to the social worker’s ethical responsibility… to clients. to colleagues. to colleagues. in practice settings. in practice settings. as a professional. as a professional. to the social work to the social work profession. profession. to the broader society. to the broader society.

11. Responsibilities to Clients Self-determination Self-determination Privacy and Confidentiality Privacy and Confidentiality Conflict of Interest Conflict of Interest Dual relationships Dual relationships Sexual Relationships Sexual Relationships

12. SELF-DETERMINATON INFORMING CLIENT OF ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS INFORMING CLIENT OF ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS HELPING TO DEFINE ALTERNATIVES HELPING TO DEFINE ALTERNATIVES ASSISTING THEM IN EVALUATING THE OUTCOME OF EACH OPTION ASSISTING THEM IN EVALUATING THE OUTCOME OF EACH OPTION ULTIMATELY LETTING THE CLIENT MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION ULTIMATELY LETTING THE CLIENT MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION

13. Privacy and Confidentiality Privacy and Confidentiality Must warn clients about when confidentiality can be broken Must warn clients about when confidentiality can be broken Do not ask for more information than is needed to assist client Do not ask for more information than is needed to assist client

14. Conflict of Interests and Dual Relationships Conflict of interest is violating the boundaries of the client- professional relationship for personal gain. Conflict of interest is violating the boundaries of the client- professional relationship for personal gain. Dual Relationships- occur when the social worker assumes two or more roles at the same time or in sequence with a client. Dual Relationships- occur when the social worker assumes two or more roles at the same time or in sequence with a client. Ex. Social Worker/Friend Instructor/Social Worker Instructor/Social Worker The clients best interests must be protected to the maximum extent possible The clients best interests must be protected to the maximum extent possible

15. Sexual Relationships Social Workers should not have sexual relationships with current clients, clients’ relatives, or others personally involved with clients or former clients. Social Workers should not have sexual relationships with current clients, clients’ relatives, or others personally involved with clients or former clients. Prohibited from providing services to clients with whom they were formerly sexual partners. Prohibited from providing services to clients with whom they were formerly sexual partners.

16. Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues Respect Respect Referral for Services Referral for Services Ex. I make referrals to social workers in private practice, shelters, catholic charities, substance abuse centers, HIV services when I cannot meet their needs Ex. I make referrals to social workers in private practice, shelters, catholic charities, substance abuse centers, HIV services when I cannot meet their needs

17. Self Awareness You must identify your own personal values so that you are careful not to impose them on clients You must identify your own personal values so that you are careful not to impose them on clients

18. Discussion Ethical Problems Break into groups of 6 people. Each group will be given a discussion question. Take 5 minutes to discuss question. Break into groups of 6 people. Each group will be given a discussion question. Take 5 minutes to discuss question. What are your thoughts so far about Ethical Problems in Liberia? What are your thoughts so far about Ethical Problems in Liberia?