Ethics in Social Work An ethical code for social work professionals Contents Introduction 3 Why an Ethical Code? 3 Ethical Issues in Social Work 4 Different aspects of social work 4 Ethical dilemmas and risks 5 Ethical Values and Norms 6 Fundamentals of ethics 6 Ethical values and norms 7 Ethical traits of character 11 Ethical Guidelines 13 Case Reports for reflection and discussion 14 This document deals in its entirety with the ethical code for social work professionals. The essence of the code—its core text—is expressed in the Ethical Guidelines on p. 13. This document was prepared by Erik Blennberger, Th.D., researcher on ethics, Ersta Sköndal University College and Titti Fränkel, Head of Development, Akademikerförbundet SSR, in collaboration with a reference group of experts and practitioners. The document “Ethics in Social Work—An ethical code for social work professionals” was approved by the SSR Board in 2006. 2 Introduction This document presents an ethical code—ethical reflections and guidelines— for social work professionals. The intention is to offer a fundamental direction concerning the role of ethics in social work. An ethical code is meant to focus attention and give direction in matters demanding the exercise of own judgement. The code is also intended to stimulate an ethical debate between social work professionals and within the organisations where they practise their profession. Why an ethical code? In social work one is forced to make decisions that It is important for the public to know how social involve ethical judgements. There will be difficult work professionals view their tasks and what kind of choices to make that will have important conse- support they can expect to get, beyond what is writ- quences for individual lives. Aspects of control and ten in laws and other official regulations. dominance are inevitable in the work. The individual help seeker is in a position of weakness that is some- Social work professionals times very evident. This makes it important to be This ethical code is intended for social work profes- aware of value judgements in social work and how sionals. A majority of these are social work graduates, the work affects people’s lives. Social work, in other but there are many persons working within the pro- words, demands observance of ethical behaviour. fession who have other academic qualifications. Competence and professional identity Different activities stand under The value of an ethical code—with ethical reflections different responsible authorities and guidelines for the work—is evident in a growing Core activities in social work are carried out within number of professional fields. Such a code is intended the municipal social services. But social work is also to create an insight into ethical norms for the pro- extensively carried out within the field of health and fession and to focus attention on ethical issues. It is sick care, in schools, correctional care, treatment insti- an important professional competency to be able to tutions, and by National Social Insurance offices. conduct a line of reasoning and come to ethically The greater part of social work takes place within informed decisions. An ethical code serves as guid- the public sector, but a significant amount is also car- ance in taking up a stance. ried out by professionals in voluntary organisations, An ethical code also contributes to the strength- client organisations and churches, as well as in pri- ening of professional identity. The code has both a vate enterprises. A large part of this work, however, symbolic and a guiding role and is a reminder that the is financed by the public sector and is under public person practising a profession is also a representative supervision. of that profession. Ethical codes for different profes- sions also have a value for the organisation. They add Clients and other citizens clarity to the tasks and should lead to greater ethical We use different words to denote the persons who observance within the organisation. become the concern of social work professionals. In an ethical code important themes can be These terms vary with the context and its char- brought forward that are not found in statutes, rules acter. The persons may be pupils, children, young and regulations; for example, how to receive and treat people, patients, care receivers, relatives, customers, clients, basic approach to humanity, and the person- clients, inhabitants, inmates, and substance abusers. al ethical qualities that are desirable in professional Throughout this document we use the general term practice. client. 3 Ethical issues in social work Different forms of social work entail different kinds sional represents her client before—and sometimes in of ethical problems. An approximate picture of the opposition to—various authorities and social group- diversity of social work can be gained by asking what ings in the society. aspects the work covers. While the empowerment theme foremost aims at strengthening the client, the advocate’s role is more about being a strong and driving ombudsman cham- Different aspects pioning the client’s interests. of social work The idea of advocacy also refers to social groups or categories of citizens. The role of advocate may then Social work can be categorized and described in dif- mean—e.g. in an evaluation or a research project— ferent ways. This document has already pointed out that one should choose a perspective representative of the divisions between responsible authorities and persons and groups in a vulnerable position. their respective activities. Social work can also be described from the viewpoint of how regulated it is Community work and social integration by law, i.e., whether and to what degree there are Social work representatives can play an important elements of the exercise of public authority in the role in community planning and the development work. Another classification—that mirrors a frequent of social support programmes. A part of community discussion in social work—can be made on the basis work is also to create meeting places and to work in of methods and ways of working. social problem areas. In this document, aspects or dimensions of social Another important aspect of community social work refer to salient features of the work and their work is the attempt to promote better social integra- purposes. Any social work activity—irrespective of tion. That work may have elements of troubleshoot- regulations and responsible authority—has different ing/conflict solving and lead to better understanding aspects, of which one is often particularly dominant, between individuals or groups. The work may also but each separate aspect will involve ethical problems, aim at creating increased participation in the social if of partly different nature. life of the community and a greater sense of loyalty with the democratic social system. Empowerment One aspect of social work with a strong position in Guidance and fostering the international discourse is that the work shall be Fostering is a classic aspect of social work and characterized by and aim towards empowerment, the involves—when the society finds the client’s atti- term used to lift forward the basic idea that indi- tudes and way of life problematic—guiding the cli- viduals or groups of citizens shall develop their own ent towards a more constructive social bearing. But resources and in this way be able to influence and here balance is vital. If this aspect should be allowed improve their living conditions. to dominate, there is the risk of intimidating or bul- Such themes as consciousness-raising and libera- lying individual citizens. tion belong here as well. Social work is then seen as a Fostering and ‘disciplining’ can be used to get the liberating pedagogy that can strengthen citizens’ abil- client to accept an inferior position in society; to cre- ity to act independently. ate muteness and obedience, which is clearly repres- sive behaviour. But disciplining and repression do not Advocacy necessarily go hand in hand. That social work is a form of advocacy is signalled by Fostering and disciplining should rather aim to the term client, which is Latin and means charge or help a person to gain control over his/her life and to protégé. In contemporary language the expression is promote social consideration, so that the client is no mainly used in legal contexts and in social work. In longer a threat to other citizens’ safety and welfare. the same way that a lawyer advises and represents her client in legal proceedings, the social work profes- 4 Care, support and protection What aspects should dominate depend on the field A very important aspect of social work is to offer care of activity in which we practise. This may also mirror and support to citizens in different life situations. ideological judgements on the role of social work in There is also an essential, shielding aspect to social shaping better welfare and a good society to live in. work; to protect against violation and assault. The professional identity Welfare services and counselling of the social worker The aspects of social work that now have been brought The different aspects of social work—combined in up often aim to change people’s lives and social iden- different ways—involve partly different profession- tities. But social work can have a more purely service- al roles and partly different professional ideals. An minded aspect, to assist people with advice and other emphasis on empowerment places one in a different services in various situations. Social work also means role from seeing oneself foremost as advocate, com- offering a person what s/he needs and has a right to munity builder, guide and fosterer, support, care- without any ambition to change that person’s life, giver, or citizens’ service function.