Code of Ethics

Many professions have a code of ethics that establishes standards and guides practitioners in conduct and decision making, including lawyers, physicians, educators, and social workers, among others. Being a social worker, then, means following the code formalized by the National Association of Social Workers, a professional organization. This code is grounded in six core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values reflect social work’s commitment to the social good and to professional accountability. 

In this Discussion, you explore social work’s core values and the ethical standards that connect with those values.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources on the NASW Code of Ethics, as well as the core values of social work.  

Select one core value (service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence). Consider how social workers might demonstrate that value in their work with clients.

For this Discussion, you must write an original scenario that demonstrates how a social worker would uphold your chosen core value when working with a client. Review the following example scenario. Use it as a model for the types of information to include; however, your scenario need not be this lengthy.

Main Assignment

Choose one of the six core values in the NASW Code of Ethics (service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence). 

Create and describe a specific and detailed scenario that demonstrates how a social worker would uphold that value when working with a client.  

Three sentences to answer the question:

Identify a specific ethical standard of the NASW Code of Ethics. 

Explain how the standard might apply to the scenario your colleague created. 

Identify any cultural considerations that the social worker might need to be aware of when working with the client in the scenario. 

Scenario

Diego Gonzalez had end-stage liver disease that was not responding to treatment, and so he was referred to the transplant center of a large hospital. The center’s transplant eligibility screening was conducted by an interdisciplinary team, which included a social worker. The social worker’s role was to gather information about Mr. Gonzalez’s substance use history and social support network to ensure he would have the support needed to maintain sobriety from alcohol and comply with all post-transplant treatment.

Mr. Gonzalez had a long and significant history of alcohol use, and this was not the first time he had tried to stop drinking; however, this was the first time he had sought out external support. “I think my biggest mistake,” Mr. Gonzalez explained, “was that I thought I could do it on my own. Thought I was strong enough to just stop.” The social worker asked Mr. Gonzalez to say more about how things were different this time around. He said, “I didn’t realize I’d need help. Now I do.”

After conducting initial assessments, the interdisciplinary team met with Mr. Gonzalez to review the results. Dr. Smith, the senior physician, began to speak. “Well, Mr. Gonzalez, your lab results look good, but you’ve only been sober for a few months, and most of our patients have been sober for over a year. And it looks like you don’t have the family support you need to facilitate a successful recovery.” Mr. Gonzalez gave the social worker a puzzled glance. “But I’ve been sober 6 months.” The doctor sighed and answered, “You should certainly feel proud of your accomplishments. But 6 months is the bare minimum, and you don’t have the family support. We can’t approve you without it.” Mr. Gonzalez’s face fell.  

At this point the social worker interjected. “Dr. Smith, Mr. Gonzalez described his support plan to me in detail. He has a goddaughter who can care for him every Monday and Thursday. His godson can come every weekend. He has three friends who can fill in on the other days. His neighbor will help drive him to appointments and can respond to any emergency.” Dr. Smith rolled his eyes. “With all due respect, none of those are family members. Our form says we need to document family support. Mr. Gonzalez has none.” The social worker looked down at the form and saw that Dr. Smith was right about the exact wording of the form. Then the social worker turned to Mr. Gonzalez. “It looks like we may need to get some answers from our administration. I’ll follow up and then arrange a second meeting to finish this conversation.” Dr. Smith mumbled that this was acceptable, and the team members all shuffled out of the room. In the hallway, the social worker overheard Dr. Smith grumble to a nurse, “He’s old, he has no kids or wife to miss him, he will probably go back to drinking. There are plenty of more deserving patients than him.” 

A few days later, the social worker met with administration. The social worker acknowledged that transplant patients need robust support to successfully navigate aftercare but that some patients have strong support networks that do not include relatives. The social worker described Mr. Gonzalez and his network of godchildren, friends, and neighbors. Administrative leaders agreed that nonfamilial support networks could be effective and should not be dismissed. They thanked the social worker for bringing this to their attention and said they would ask office staff to review and edit the form to be more inclusive. 

Mr. Gonzalez’s eligibility was ultimately approved, and he underwent a transplant a few months later. Mr. Gonzalez’s social network came through for him, and he attended all aftercare appointments and therapy sessions. He lived for four additional years, during which he participated in book clubs, attended baseball games, and walked his goddaughter down the aisle at her wedding. The social worker often thought of Mr. Gonzalez with fondness and considered this experience the first time their advocacy skills were truly activated.