CODE OF ETHICS

OF SOCIAL WORK

Nayad, Kyle Lester C.

The code of ethics outlines the ethical
standards for registered social workers,
emphasizing their duty to protect the health
and well-being of clients, respect dignity,
pursue social justice, maintain integrity,
maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate
competence. It provides clear guidelines for
professional conduct, enabling objective
judgment and identifying violations.
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ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

The Code of Ethics of the National

Association of Social Workers outlines
ethical principles focusing on service,
social justice, dignity, human
relationships, integrity, and competence,
aspired to by all social workers.
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Value: Service
Ethical Principle: Social workers' primary
goal is to help people in need and to address
social problems.

Social workers prioritize service over self-

interest, using their knowledge, values, and skills
to help and address social problems, often
volunteering without expecting financial return.
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Value: Social Justice
Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social
injustice.

Social workers work towards social change,

focusing on poverty, unemployment,
discrimination, and social injustice. They
promote sensitivity, knowledge, access to
resources, equality of opportunity, and
meaningful participation in decision-making for
vulnerable individuals. 5
Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person
Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the
inherent dignity and worth of the person.

Social workers treat individuals with care and

respect, promoting social responsibility and
self-determination. They aim to enhance clients'
capacity for change and address their needs,
while resolving conflicts between clients'
interests and societal interests in a socially
responsible manner. 6
Value: Importance of Human Relationships
Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the
central importance of human relationships.

Social workers emphasize the importance of

relationships in promoting change and
enhancing the well-being of individuals,
families, social groups, organizations, and
communities by engaging them as partners in
the helping process. 7
Value: Integrity
Ethical Principle: Social workers behave
in a trustworthy manner.

Social workers uphold the profession's

mission, values, and ethical principles,
acting honestly and responsibly while
promoting ethical practices within their
affiliated organization. 8
Value: Competence
Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within
their areas of competence and development and
enhance their professional expertise.

Social workers continually strive to

increase their professional knowledge and
skills and apply them in practice. Social
workers should aspire to contribute to the
knowledge base of the profession. 9
ETHICAL STANDARDS

The following ethical standards are relevant

to the professional activities of all social
workers. These standards are concerned with
the social workers ethical responsibilities: (1)
to clients; (2) to colleagues; (3) in practice
settings: (4) as professionals; (5) to the social
work profession; and (6) to the broader
society. 10
GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The following guidelines for professional conduct

reflect the spirit of a code of ethics. It consists the
ethical specifics in the professional conduct of social
workers culled from the Code of Professional Conduct
and Ethics for Social Workers devised by the Social
Workers Registration Board (SWRB) at CORU (2011)
and the Ethics in Social Work Statement of Principles
by the International Federation of Social Workers
(IFSW) (2004). 11
THE CLIENTELE
AND AUDIENCES
OF SOCIAL WORK
CHARACTERISTICS OF CLIENTELE AND
AUDIENCES OF SOCIAL WORK

All individuals facing social issues such as

marginalization, injustice, or rights violations are
categorized as the clientele of social work. This includes
those experiencing personal problems like job loss,
illness, or the need for social welfare. It also
encompasses individuals in various settings such as
healthcare facilities, homes for the elderly, rehabilitation
centers, and those facing discrimination or abuse. These
individuals are the focus of social work interventions. 1
NEEDS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIENTELE AND
AUDIENCES OF SOCIAL WORK

The needs are generally that of wanting to be

empowered, to be socially included by way of insuring
that one receives what is legally due him/her and that
one receives the necessary care he/she deserves. Some
people need their rights respected, some need justice,
and others need social welfare help to put them on
their feet. Each context of social work discussed in this
book reflects a unique type of clientele and audience.
However, commonalities do exist. 2
THE INDIVIDUAL AS CLIENT OF SOCIAL
WORK

We have pointed out that social work can happen

on one, two, three, or four levels. The individual
level is generally work on an individual who has
to be assisted to fit in a larger environment or
someone who has been deprived space by the
larger environment calling for change in the very
environment or simply improving one's ability to
cope with it. 3
THE GROUP AND ORGANIZATION AS CLIENT
OF SOCIAL

Work Groups are collections of people who share a similar

identity or characteristic. Examples include gay men,
lesbians, migrants, women, abused or neglected children,
elderly individuals, veterans, people in conflict with the law,
unemployed individuals, and those struggling with
substance abuse. Social work often provides services to
these groups. Other examples include members of an
organization, employees, and students in a school setting.
These groups are classified as such because they require
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specific levels of support and services.
THE COMMUNITY AS CLIENT OF SOCIAL
WORK

The community is the primary focus for social

work as individuals and families are part of it.
Social work provides services to empower
marginalized communities or transform
communities that impose norms that marginalize
minorities. The goal is to create an environment
where everyone can achieve social well-being,
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justice, and respect for their rights.
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING!