, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE ONLY
QUESTION 1
1.1. Discuss “unethical conduct” in the context of integrated social work practice (ISWP) and
provide relevant practical examples where necessary.
In the context of Integrated Social Work Practice (ISWP), “unethical conduct” refers to any action or
omission by a social worker that violates the professional values, principles, and ethical standards set
by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), especially when such
conduct compromises the holistic, multilevel intervention required in ISWP (BSW3705, Study Guide,
p. 20). Unethical conduct may include breaches of confidentiality, failing to obtain informed consent,
imposing personal values on clients, discrimination, or neglecting the principle of self-determination.
Because ISWP involves working across micro, meso, and macro systems (individuals, families,
groups, communities, and organisations), unethical conduct can have cascading harmful effects
across multiple levels.
Practical examples of unethical conduct in ISWP include:
Breach of confidentiality – Sharing identifying information about a client system (e.g., a
community group living with HIV/AIDS) with other professionals or community members
without proper consent, thereby causing stigmatisation (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 23).
Failure to respect diversity – Imposing one’s own cultural or religious beliefs on a client
system, for example, refusing to assist a member of the LGBTQI+ community or a person
seeking an abortion because of personal religious views (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 23; p. 39).
Violating self-determination – Making decisions for a client system (e.g., forcing a family to
accept a particular intervention without their participation) rather than empowering them to
lead the process (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 22).
Practising without proper supervision – Conducting ISWP interventions without the required
academic or organisational supervision, which is prohibited by the SACSSP and the study
guide (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 15).
Using dehumanising service delivery methods – Distributing food parcels or clothing on a
“first-come, first-served” basis using a loudspeaker in a community, which compromises the
dignity of client systems (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 21).
Such conduct undermines the professional relationship, the purpose of ISWP (balancing client needs
and resources), and the principle of social justice (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 20; p. 22).
QUESTION 1
1.1. Discuss “unethical conduct” in the context of integrated social work practice (ISWP) and
provide relevant practical examples where necessary.
In the context of Integrated Social Work Practice (ISWP), “unethical conduct” refers to any action or
omission by a social worker that violates the professional values, principles, and ethical standards set
by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), especially when such
conduct compromises the holistic, multilevel intervention required in ISWP (BSW3705, Study Guide,
p. 20). Unethical conduct may include breaches of confidentiality, failing to obtain informed consent,
imposing personal values on clients, discrimination, or neglecting the principle of self-determination.
Because ISWP involves working across micro, meso, and macro systems (individuals, families,
groups, communities, and organisations), unethical conduct can have cascading harmful effects
across multiple levels.
Practical examples of unethical conduct in ISWP include:
Breach of confidentiality – Sharing identifying information about a client system (e.g., a
community group living with HIV/AIDS) with other professionals or community members
without proper consent, thereby causing stigmatisation (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 23).
Failure to respect diversity – Imposing one’s own cultural or religious beliefs on a client
system, for example, refusing to assist a member of the LGBTQI+ community or a person
seeking an abortion because of personal religious views (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 23; p. 39).
Violating self-determination – Making decisions for a client system (e.g., forcing a family to
accept a particular intervention without their participation) rather than empowering them to
lead the process (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 22).
Practising without proper supervision – Conducting ISWP interventions without the required
academic or organisational supervision, which is prohibited by the SACSSP and the study
guide (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 15).
Using dehumanising service delivery methods – Distributing food parcels or clothing on a
“first-come, first-served” basis using a loudspeaker in a community, which compromises the
dignity of client systems (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 21).
Such conduct undermines the professional relationship, the purpose of ISWP (balancing client needs
and resources), and the principle of social justice (BSW3705, Study Guide, p. 20; p. 22).
