PASW Code of Ethics

Preamble

The need to elaborate The Code of Ethics comes from the fact that social work has an effect on social change, it is a social conscience.

The Code of Ethics, as a set of guidelines for everyday professional practice, should be used by all of those who have decided to be social workers.

Also the community has a right to know that the profession of social worker has at its disposal specified protective measures, which guarantee that the work is done in a reliable, professional and responsible way.

The Code of Ethics is not only a set of orders and bans, which should be obeyed, but it also gives certain values such as:

-         undertake activities which ensure social well-being

-         improvement of living conditions for individuals, families, groups of people

-         undertake activities which promote social justice

The Code of Ethics refers to the idea of social work – respecting a human’s dignity and protecting that dignity, respecting a human’s right to self-determination, ensuring equal opportunities.

The Code includes particular standards of ethical conduct, which must be obeyed by social workers. These standards refer to professional practice, relations with colleagues, clients, employers and the community.

The Code sets the basis for solving ethical disputes, when there are doubts that the behaviour of a social worker violates professional ethics and standards. The Code tries to cover most of areas of a social worker’s activity.

When setting ethical standards for social workers, we must also remember, that the rules in The Code are not final and will change in the coming years as the profession and social consciousness develop.

Section 1

General attitude and conduct of the social worker

1.      a social worker should have high personal and professional morals

2.      the duty of a social worker is to maintain and improve his professional skills

3.      a social worker should apply the knowledge, skills and values lying at the basis of social work

4.      a social worker in his/her work should be guided by the rule that the client’s welfare is of the most importance

5.      a social worker is obliged to oppose any inhumane practice that discriminates against person or group of people

6.      a social worker should take final responsibility for the quality and extent of the services offered to clients

7.      social workers can’t use their professional contacts for personal profit

8.      social workers must obey the rule that their basic professional duty is to help clients overcome their living difficulties.

 Section 2

The ethical responsibility of social workers in relation to clients

1.      a social worker is obliged to respect client’s dignity and his or her right to self-determination

2.      a social worker is obliged to provide equal treatment for all client, regardless of age, gender, civil status, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, political  opinions, health, race, colour and other personal features and preferences

3.      social workers should accept as the fundamental in his/her contacts with clients that the client’s needs comes first

4.      a social worker has a responsibility to devote their knowledge, skills and resources to help clients solve their living problems

5.      a social worker should – taking the client’s abilities into account – help the client in his or her efforts to lead an independent life

6.      a social worker is obliged to give clients full information about available services

7.      a social workers should provide a client with accurate information  concerning welfare benefits and the client’s obligations

8.      a social worker should seek a colleague’s or a superior’s advice when it concerns the client’s interest

9.      a social worker with the client’s assent, has the right to stop offering assistance, when the services guarantied by the low have been provided in full or are not needed anymore

10.  a social worker has a right to change the form of  assistance if it is discovered that welfare benefits are not being used as they should be

11.  a social worker is obliged to keep secret all information which he/she acquires during his/her professional activities

12.  a social worker has a right, without the client’s permission, to impart confidential  information only in cases where important professional reason require this.

Section 3

The ethical responsibility of social workers in relation to colleagues

1.      during his/her contacts with colleagues social worker should:

-         respect their knowledge and experience

-         obey the rule of professional loyalty

-         be objective in relation to colleagues

2.      a social worker should cooperate with other social workers in performing his/her professional functions

3.      a social worker should solve conflicts with  colleagues without causing any harm to clients

Section 4

The ethical responsibility of social workers in relation to employer

1.      social workers should obey their obligations towards the institution that employs them

2.      a social worker should strive to improve the functioning of the institution and the efficiency of offered services

3.      a social worker is obliged to dispose welfare benefits in a rational way

Section 5

The ethical responsibility of social workers in relation to the profession

1.      a social worker’s duty is to work fairly and improve their professional knowledge

2.      a social worker’s duty is to ensure professional integrity and appropriate standards of his/her profession

Section 5

 The ethical responsibility of social workers in relation to the community

1.      a social worker is obliged to work for the common good

2.      a social worker is obliged to secure all possible social  services and life opportunities for all clients

3.      a social worker should demand changes in  the legislation aimed at improving social conditions and promote the idea of social justice

4.      a social workers should support the activities of the local community aimed at promoting mutual-aid societies and encouraging people to take part in creating social institutions and social politics.

The Code of Ethics is a set of basic rules of conduct and also offers guidelines for judging the behaviour of social worker. Thus, it is the basic tool for the professional who helps others.

translation by Katarzyna Kadela