Social Work Standards I. STANDARDS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Social Work Values*
-
Commitment to the primary importance of the individual in society.
-
Respect for the confidentiality of relationships with clients.
-
Commitment to social change to meet socially recognized needs.
-
Willingness to keep personal feelings and needs separate from professional relationships.
-
Willingness to transmit knowledge and skills to others.
-
Respect and appreciation for individual and group differences.
-
Commitment to developing clients' ability to help themselves.
-
Willingness to persist in efforts on behalf of clients despite frustration.
-
Commitment to social justice and the economic, physical, and mental well‑being of all in society.
-
Commitment to a high standard of personal and professional conduct.
II. MAJOR PRINCIPLES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS CODE OF ETHICS
In the United States, the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (1994) serves as the primary guide to which social workers must adhere. Because this association is so dominant, its code of ethics tends to be used in adjudication processes and court proceedings even for those social workers who are not members of the National Association of Social Workers.
The NASW Code reflects the relationship between values and ethics. The preamble (NASW, 1994, p. v.) states: "This code is based on fundamental values of the social work profession that include the worth, dignity, and uniqueness of all persons as well as their rights and opportunities. It is also based on the nature of social work, which fosters conditions that promote these values." In order to practice ethically, therefore, students in the Ph.D. program at Indiana University School of Social Work must be thoroughly familiar with the social work code of ethics. A copy should be readily accessible in order that students may refer to it in considering the value and ethical implications of their academic and professional behavior.
*NASW Standards for the Classification of Social Work Practice, p.18.Copyright 1981, National Association of Social Workers, Inc.
National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
Summary of Major Principles**
I. The Social Worker's Conduct and Comportment as a Social Worker
A. Propriety ‑‑ The social worker should maintain high standards of personal conduct in the capacity or identity as social worker.
B. Competence and Professional Development ‑‑ The social worker should strive to become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions.
C. Service ‑‑ The social worker should regard as primary the service obligation of the social work profession.
D. Integrity ‑‑ The social worker should act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity and impartiality.
E. Scholarship and Research ‑‑ The social worker engaged in study and research should be guided by the conventions of scholarly inquiry.
II. The Social Worker's Ethical Responsibility to Clients
F. Primacy of Clients' Interests ‑‑ The social worker's primary responsibility is to clients.
G. Rights and Prerogatives of Clients ‑‑ The social worker should make every effort to foster maximum self‑determination on the part of clients.
H. Confidentiality and Privacy ‑‑ The social worker should respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.
I. Fees ‑‑ When setting fees, the social worker should ensure that they are fair, reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with the service performed and with due regard for the clients' ability to pay.
III. The Social Worker's Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues
J. Respect, Fairness, and Courtesy ‑‑ The social worker should treat colleagues with respect courtesy, fairness, and good faith.
K. Dealing with Colleagues' Clients ‑‑ The social worker has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.
IV. The Social Worker's Ethical Responsibility to Employers and Employing Organizations
L. Commitments to Employing Organization ‑‑ The social worker should adhere to commitments made to the employing organization.
V. The Social Worker's Ethical Responsibility to the Social Work Profession
M. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession ‑‑ The social worker should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession.
N. Community Service ‑‑ The social worker should assist the profession in making social services available to the general public.
O. Development of Knowledge ‑‑ The social worker should take responsibility for identifying, developing, and fully utilizing knowledge for professional practice.
VI. The Social Worker's Ethical Responsibility to Society
P. Promoting the General Welfare ‑‑ The social worker should promote the general welfare of society.
**National Association of Social Work. (1994). The code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington, DC: NASW Press. Copyright 8 National Association of Social Workers, Inc. | 
