Introduction
The primary function of the social work profession is to ensure the well being of human and their basic needs are met. The National Association of social workers (NASW) ethical standards state guidelines on how social workers should conduct themselves while performing their duties. The ethical standards include;
Social workers’ ethical responsibility to clients
The primary responsibility of social workers is to ensure the clients’ well being, and this ethical standard ensures that it is achieved. Social workers respect the client’s rights to self-determination and allow the client to choose an action of their preference in any situation. However, this may be broken in a case where a client’s actions pose a danger to themselves or others. Social workers should communicate with the client clearly in a language they understand well when explaining the service and give them a chance to ask questions in case of any clarification. Social workers should provide competent service to clients. When using technology, they should be well conversant with it and comply with the law governing technology in social work. They should use appropriate language when interacting with clients and avoid any form of sexual harassment, for example, asking for sexual favours, verbal or any physical nature of sexual contact.
Social workers’ ethical responsibility to colleagues
This ethical standard ensures that social workers treat each other with respect and professionalism when working. Social workers should not criticize their colleagues negatively in any manner whether verbally, electronic or through writing when communicating with clients or other professionals. An example of this is making negative comments regarding the level of competence of a colleague or talking about an individual’s race, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion and physical or mental ability. Social workers should keep confidential any information shared by colleagues during work. A social worker has to report a colleague’s unethical behaviour to the directors of the National Association of social workers.
Social workers’ ethical responsibility in the Practice setting
This ethical standard is vital as it helps ensures that social workers adhere to the ethical guidelines which are to be used in a practice setting. Social workers should have the required knowledge for consultation, and they should only do it in their area of expertise. Those that work as field instructors should be fair when evaluating the students’ performance. When charging clients, it should be for only the services provided. When providing information to clients, it should be based on the most recent data.
Conclusion
Ethical standards guide social workers when performing their duties. All ethical standards are import as they ensure the professionalism of all social workers while on duty.