Core Values from NASW Code of Ethics

 

Our practice as social workers is grounded in our social work core values.

Ethical   Principles

The following  broad ethical principles are based on social work’s core values of service,  social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human  relationships, integrity, and competence. These principles set forth ideals to  which all social workers should aspire.

Value: Service

Ethical  Principle: Social workers’  primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.                 

    Social  workers elevate service to others above self­interest. Social workers draw on  their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address  social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of  their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return  (pro bono service).

Value: Social  Justice

Ethical  Principle: Social  workers challenge social injustice.                

     Social workers  pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and  oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change  efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment,  discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to  promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic  diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information,  services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation  in decision making for all people.

Value: Dignity and  Worth of the Person

Ethical  Principle: Social  workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.            

         Social workers  treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual  differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’  socially responsible self­determination. Social workers seek to enhance  clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs.  Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients and to the  broader society. They seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and  the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent  with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

Value: Importance of  Human Relationships

Ethical  Principle: Social  workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.                 

    Social  workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important  vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping  process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a  purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well­being of  individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.

Value: Integrity

Ethical  Principle: Social  workers behave in a trustworthy manner.                

     Social  workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical  principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with  them. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices  on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated.

Value: Competence

Ethical  Principle: Social workers  practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their  professional expertise.                 

    Social  workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills  and to apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to  the knowledge base of the profession.