Professional SW values & Code of Ethics
Theme 1 & 2 p.1
Table of Contents
Self-awareness............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Values & Ethics ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
4 basic professional values person-centred approach: .............................................................................. 1
4 Basic professional values........................................................................................................................................ 2
Respect ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Individualisation....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Self-determination .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Confidentiality ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Basic communication skills ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Attend ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Listening..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Basic empathy.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Principles underpinning equality & diversity.......................................................................................................... 5
Anti-discriminatory & anti-oppressive practices .................................................................................................... 5
Elements of good practice helping relationship ................................................................................................ 6
Roles of SWs when working with indiv .................................................................................................................... 6
Different fields of practice SW ............................................................................................................................ 6
Self-awareness
Self-awareness = ability – clear understanding of strengths, weaknesses, thoughts & beliefs.
Developing awareness = part journey of learning – become effective SWs.
Understanding of who you = (professionally & personally) can develop greater capacity for
objectivity & learn – respect needs of clients (emphasised skill).
Values & Ethics
Values, ethics & principles = cornerstone of SW practice.
Professional values = certain attitudes facilitator adopt – help treat clients with respect.
SW = value-based profession; everything SWs do must → with professional values mind.
Ethics = guidelines/rules set for society/org; represent judgements about right & wrong.
Principles = rules/beliefs governing morally correct behaviour & attitudes.
Inform choices of values, morals & ethics.
4 basic professional values person-centred approach:
Respect, individualisation, self-determination, confidentiality.
1
,4 Basic professional values
Respect
Facilitator respects client & believes client sufficient capacity – deal constructively with all aspects of
life that come conscious awareness.
Without respect, facilitator communicate empathetically/facilitate personal growth.
2 ways facilitator implement respect practice:
Refrain from judgement
Enable client – work pain.
Individualisation
Focus on uniqueness of each indiv’s situation.
Each person’s experience & perceptions of life & self = unique.
Includes needs, behaviour, emotions, self, values.
Ignoring/disregarding uniqueness = unique potential, experience & direction of person = lost.
Self-determination
Facilitator believe clients have capacity & capability – determine for themselves what they want.
Similar – respect, encourage clients – believe themselves & draw on inner strengths → using
effective communication skills.
Client tends – move forward direction of self-growth.
Facilitator decide what client’s goals =/what best for them.
Clients determine for themselves:
How experience & perceive themselves & world
How wish – satisfy needs
What won values = & will →
Direction – move exploration of painful experiences
What need – enhance, maintain & develop self
Client directing process of facilitation i.t.o.:
What wish – discuss
How wish – discuss Facilitator = guided → clients!!
Whether wish – discuss
Confidentiality
What said will remain private & repeated – someone else.
Create climate clients feel completely safe.
Allows consciously – acknowledge & explore painful experiences symbolised/distorted, threaten self.
Inform clients about confidentiality prior – onset of helping relationship.
2
, Trust = believing someone (honesty & loyalty).
Confidentiality breaches:
Health &/welfare of child/young person at risk.
Client tells committed serious crime.
Worker = subpoenaed – present info court of law.
Client needs – protected from harming self.
If need – keep records.
Work conjunction with other professionals caring for client.
Requirement of professional supervision, training, workshops/seminars.
3
Theme 1 & 2 p.1
Table of Contents
Self-awareness............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Values & Ethics ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
4 basic professional values person-centred approach: .............................................................................. 1
4 Basic professional values........................................................................................................................................ 2
Respect ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Individualisation....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Self-determination .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Confidentiality ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Basic communication skills ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Attend ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Listening..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Basic empathy.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Principles underpinning equality & diversity.......................................................................................................... 5
Anti-discriminatory & anti-oppressive practices .................................................................................................... 5
Elements of good practice helping relationship ................................................................................................ 6
Roles of SWs when working with indiv .................................................................................................................... 6
Different fields of practice SW ............................................................................................................................ 6
Self-awareness
Self-awareness = ability – clear understanding of strengths, weaknesses, thoughts & beliefs.
Developing awareness = part journey of learning – become effective SWs.
Understanding of who you = (professionally & personally) can develop greater capacity for
objectivity & learn – respect needs of clients (emphasised skill).
Values & Ethics
Values, ethics & principles = cornerstone of SW practice.
Professional values = certain attitudes facilitator adopt – help treat clients with respect.
SW = value-based profession; everything SWs do must → with professional values mind.
Ethics = guidelines/rules set for society/org; represent judgements about right & wrong.
Principles = rules/beliefs governing morally correct behaviour & attitudes.
Inform choices of values, morals & ethics.
4 basic professional values person-centred approach:
Respect, individualisation, self-determination, confidentiality.
1
,4 Basic professional values
Respect
Facilitator respects client & believes client sufficient capacity – deal constructively with all aspects of
life that come conscious awareness.
Without respect, facilitator communicate empathetically/facilitate personal growth.
2 ways facilitator implement respect practice:
Refrain from judgement
Enable client – work pain.
Individualisation
Focus on uniqueness of each indiv’s situation.
Each person’s experience & perceptions of life & self = unique.
Includes needs, behaviour, emotions, self, values.
Ignoring/disregarding uniqueness = unique potential, experience & direction of person = lost.
Self-determination
Facilitator believe clients have capacity & capability – determine for themselves what they want.
Similar – respect, encourage clients – believe themselves & draw on inner strengths → using
effective communication skills.
Client tends – move forward direction of self-growth.
Facilitator decide what client’s goals =/what best for them.
Clients determine for themselves:
How experience & perceive themselves & world
How wish – satisfy needs
What won values = & will →
Direction – move exploration of painful experiences
What need – enhance, maintain & develop self
Client directing process of facilitation i.t.o.:
What wish – discuss
How wish – discuss Facilitator = guided → clients!!
Whether wish – discuss
Confidentiality
What said will remain private & repeated – someone else.
Create climate clients feel completely safe.
Allows consciously – acknowledge & explore painful experiences symbolised/distorted, threaten self.
Inform clients about confidentiality prior – onset of helping relationship.
2
, Trust = believing someone (honesty & loyalty).
Confidentiality breaches:
Health &/welfare of child/young person at risk.
Client tells committed serious crime.
Worker = subpoenaed – present info court of law.
Client needs – protected from harming self.
If need – keep records.
Work conjunction with other professionals caring for client.
Requirement of professional supervision, training, workshops/seminars.
3
