Term Paper Social Work Ethics
Scenario one speaks about a single unemployed mother of two children who is thinking about having an abortion. She decides to make an appointment with a Social Worker about it, however that Social Worker decides that it’s not in the best interest of the client, doesn’t care about her wants and hands her a church pamphlet.
Right away I see that there is a direct infraction, as a Social Worker one should never speak of their own beliefs and values when working alongside with a client. A Social Worker should always put what the client wants, within reason, first, as an act of self-determination for the client. The infraction that I found in the Code of Ethics is the third principle “Responsibility to Client”, specifically looking at the sub-principles 3.1 and 3.4.
3.1 Speaks of how College members must “provide clients with accurate and complete information regarding the extent, nature and limitations of any services available to them” (pg.11 Code of Ethics). As a member of the College, we as Social Workers have a duty to provide all resources available to a client, even if it may not agree with our own personal values, attitudes and beliefs. I also believe that we are responsible to provide accurate information; as a Social Worker I would not turn away a client looking for resources and tell her to go to a church, specifically my own church, and to seek God and forgiveness for thinking of abortion. I think it is important to deal with each situation without any hidden agendas and to look for the best possible outcome for the specific clients requests.
3.4 Discusses how College members “do not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, political affiliation, national origin etc…” (pg. 11, Code of Ethics). I think this was appropriate as a sub-principle as it speaks of how this Social Worker in the scenario brings in their own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and uses them against the client seeking professional help. I believe it is a direct
Right away I see that there is a direct infraction, as a Social Worker one should never speak of their own beliefs and values when working alongside with a client. A Social Worker should always put what the client wants, within reason, first, as an act of self-determination for the client. The infraction that I found in the Code of Ethics is the third principle “Responsibility to Client”, specifically looking at the sub-principles 3.1 and 3.4.
3.1 Speaks of how College members must “provide clients with accurate and complete information regarding the extent, nature and limitations of any services available to them” (pg.11 Code of Ethics). As a member of the College, we as Social Workers have a duty to provide all resources available to a client, even if it may not agree with our own personal values, attitudes and beliefs. I also believe that we are responsible to provide accurate information; as a Social Worker I would not turn away a client looking for resources and tell her to go to a church, specifically my own church, and to seek God and forgiveness for thinking of abortion. I think it is important to deal with each situation without any hidden agendas and to look for the best possible outcome for the specific clients requests.
3.4 Discusses how College members “do not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, political affiliation, national origin etc…” (pg. 11, Code of Ethics). I think this was appropriate as a sub-principle as it speaks of how this Social Worker in the scenario brings in their own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and uses them against the client seeking professional help. I believe it is a direct
Cited: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbooks . Toronto : Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.