Field Work in Social Work
and Field Ethics, Values &
Ethics of the social work
profession, Code of Ethics
Field Work
Values of Social Work
• Every profession of human behavior has some values and on the basis
of these values it achieves its objectives
• Social values have a significant role as they maintain social
equilibrium, unity in behavior, the psychological foundation of life,
determination of role, and evaluation of social events and problems.
• Basic value of social work do not spring up like wildflowers by the
wayside; they are, instead rooted in the deep fertile belief that
nourishes civilization
• Kohs has divided the value of social work into primary and secondary
social work:
They are:
• The worth and dignity of man
• The capacity of human nature to achieve full human potential
• Tolerance of differences
• Satisfaction of basic human needs.
• Liberty
• Self-direction
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Construction social co-operation
• Importance of work and constructive use of leisure
• Protection of one’s existence from the danger caused by man and nature
Purpose of Code of Ethics
• To identify the core values on which the social work mission is based
• To help social workers identify relevant considerations when
professional obligation conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
• To provide ethical standards to which the general public can hold social
work professionals accountable.
• To socialize practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission,
values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.
Maintain
confidentiality and
anonymity of
Vulnerable
Population
Do not disclose PII
Privacy and Confidentiality
• Clients have a right to privacy. Once clients decide to share otherwise private information with social workers,
practitioners must then apply relevant confidentiality standards. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, "Social
workers should respect clients' right to privacy. Social workers should not solicit private information from clients
unless it is essential to providing services or conducting social work evaluation or research. Once private information
is shared, standards of confidentiality apply" (standard 1.07[a]).
• In clinical work especially, social workers have always had a deep-seated respect for their clients' need for
confidentiality. The trust between social worker and client, so essential to effective help, typically depends on the
worker's assurance of privacy. Clients' willingness to disclose intimate, deeply personal details about their lives is
understandably a function of their belief that their social worker will not share this information with others without
consent.
• But privacy is also relevant in other social work domains. Social work administrators need to understand the limits of
confidentiality as they pertain to personnel matters or sharing of information with colleagues in other agencies and
organizations (eg, insurance companies, accrediting bodies, utilization review representatives, human services
departments, and court and law enforcement officials). Protective service workers need to avoid excessive invasion of
privacy while investigating reports of child or elder abuse and neglect. Social workers involved in community
organizing need to appreciate the nature of privacy when they meet with local residents who air grievances about
public officials. Social workers in social policy positions need to understand the tension between confidentiality rights
and local open-meeting statutes, which may allow the public and media to attend sensitive high-level meetings.
