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8.4.Riehts,Responsibilities,andAccountabilitiesofSocialWork
By definitiory social work is jointly presented by.the
International Federation
of School of Social Work
of Social Workers (IFSW) and Iniernriiottrt Association
(TASSW):

foremost rights
The rights of social work are partially outlined. Social wofk
live by its.values' Its
include thelight to fulfill its professionairyan{ates and to
of its basic functions'
lesponsibilitie"s cover those that peitain to the dispensatiQn
roles, professional standards, urrd udh"."nce to iti local
and international codes
and the
of ethics. Social work is accountable to the clients, the general public,
societY.
of specialization
Responsibilities of social workers wotking within their field
are to hltp chilaren, assist those life-threatening probfems, or aid people in
-social
overcoming addictions. It is a responsibility of worker to protect and
as exPressed in the
uphold res[ect for the inherent *otih and dignity 9f aJl pgople
(1948) and other related
United Nations universal Declaration of Hu-mal Rights
uN declarations on rights and the conventions derived from those declarations'to
social workers hu.re i responsibiiity to promote socialljustice,
in relation
they work' Social
society generally, and in ,uluti"., to"the people with.whom
and principles set
workers have a responsibility to apply the professional values
treat people with
out above t" th;;rrci.". fn"y tL"ra act with integrity and
compassiory emPathY, and care'
Accountability of social worker is to the clients, colleagues, -employers'
accountable for their
professionaf urro.i'utlons, and to the law. Social workers are
reqrrire them to act in
actions to the vaiues and. principles of the profession, which
a reliable, honest, and trustworthy.nur-r.r"r' They are
answerable to their clients'
professionat Uoai"r like registered _social workers
(RSW), certified social workers
(LCSW)'
(CSW), tl.".r"J roJl *o?k"t, (LSW), licensed _clinical social workers
and the laws
and licens"a mJ"p""dent social workers (LISW) organization,
promulgatedandenforcedbyappropriategovernmentagencies.

8.5. Code of Ethics of SocialWork

and performance
The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct,
worker to always
expected of registere,l social workers. It is a duty of -a social
In everything
pritect the heaith and well-beingof people w1.o avail of the se-rvices.
that a social worker does, he/"she'has to demonstrate respect for the inherent
 dignity and worth o,f persons,.pursuit of social justice,
integrity of professional
practice, confidentiality in professionar
Ceration practice, una .o*futence in professional
al Work practice' Critical to any code of ethics is explicit
provisiorro? ethical pr:*.rpi", ,"a
ethical standards and may go into specific
enfo.l."rui" ilid"lines for professional
conduct in details that would prorrid" objective

t
7'; ,,,1
1.:iry.
t-o
Ethical Principles
pr"f*;i;;l judgment and make
idenlifv actual viorations of etrrical rd;;.;;;iln theyoccur.

L:-' ,
A sample of ethical principles and ethical standards
::I
:'I
I
the Code of Ethics-of the Naiional Association
principles based on social work's .o." lruir",
here are adapted from
of social workers. They are broad ethical
of service, sociar justice, dignity
ute I
and worth of the person,-importance of-human
3). l
,1:,
J competence' These principles ind standards
."triiorrr-,ips, integri ty, and
set rortn ii"as to which all social l

workers should aspire.

:rights Value: Seroice

"tes.Its
ctions, Ethical rlincipli ociar workers'primary goal is to herp peopre
in need and
codes to address socialI problems.
rd the social workers erevate service to others above
serf-interest.
social workers draw on their knowledge,
values, and skills to help
zation people in need and to address social p"roblems.
sociar workers are
ple in encouraged to volunteer some porti& of
their professional skils
t and without expecting significant financial ,",,i"-$r5
bono service).
in the Value: Social lustice
rlated
tions. Ethical Principre: social workers challenge
sociar injustice.
rn to social workers pursue social change particularly
iocial on beharf of vurnerible and opp."rr"d individuals with and
:s set of people. social workers' sociar change i"a gr."f,
rvith primarily on issues of
rt, are focused
"n air..i.nination,
unempro'ym",-ri-
-poverty,
and other forms ofsocialinjustice. These u.iirriti", seek to promote
\-ers/ sensitivity to.an! knowredge about oppressionand
cultural and
their ethnic diversity. sociar *orf"., strive to
ensure access to needed
rC in informatiory services, and resources; equality
of opportunity; and
rnts, meaningful participation in decision *utir.,g'for
rii p"opt".
kers
Value: Dignity and Worth of the person
;1V),
a\\'s Ethical Principre: social workers respect the inherent
-' dignity
---6'' and worth of
the Person.
social workers treat each person in a caring
and respectful
fashioo mindful of individual differences and
nce
..rl'tr.ul and ethnic
diversity. sociar workers promote clients' s..irriy
,"rponsibre self-
al's determination. social workers seek to
ing crients, capacity
and,opportunity to change and to address ".rhurr.J
their own needs. sociar
ent workers are cognizant offieir dual respo"riuiiityio
crients and to
 the broader society. They seek to resolve conflicts between clients'
interests and the broader society's interests in a sociaily responsible
manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical
standards of the profession.

Value: lmportance 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 relationshipr a*b.,g people in a purposeful
effort to promote, restore, maintairy and enhance the well-
being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and
communities.
Value: Integrity
Ethical Principle: social workers behaoe in a trusttoorthy 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 affiliited.

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

social workers continually strive to increase their professional

knowledge and skills and apply them in practice. soiial workers
should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Ethical Standards
The following ethical standards are. relevant to the professional activities
of all social workers. These standards are concerned with the social workers'
ethical responsibilities: (1) to clients; (2) to colleagues; (3) in practice settings;
(4) as professionals; (5) to the social work profesiion; and. (o) to the broad-er
society.

Guidelines for Professional Conduct

Jh" following guidelines for professional conduct reflect the spirit of a code
of- ethics. It consists the ethical specifics in the professional conduct of social
workers culled from the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
for Social Workers
lients' devised by the social workers Registration
rnsible Board (swRB) at coRU (2011) and
the Ethics in social y::\!jrr:*entzy eriinciplesby
:thical the Internationar Federation of
Social Workers (IFSW) (ZOO4).
1" social workers are expected to uphord human
rights in theirpractice.
2' social workers shourd respect the rights
and dignity of peopre.
tutnan 3' social workers shourd respect rerationships
of peopre who use their
services.
r and 4. Social workers should promote social justice.
rrkers
,rkers
5' social workers shourd comply with the raws
and regurations governing
their practice.
rseful
rvell- 6. social workers shourd carry out their duties
professionaly andethicarly.
and 7' social.workers shourd demonstrate ethicar
awareness.
8' social workers shourd demonstrate professional
accountability.
9. social workers shourd act in the best interest
of peopre who use their
services.

ion's
10. social workers shourd communicate with
people who use their services,
careers/ and professionals.
and
; act 11" social workers should seek informed consent
of peopre who use their
part services.
.\
72. Social workers should keep accurate
records.
13. social workers should deal appropriately
with health and safety risks.
74, social workers should w,ringly
eilce colraborate, delegate, and manage
appropriately.
15. Social workers should undertake research
rnai ethically.
(ers 76. social workers should maintain high
standards of personarconduct.
LOn. 17. social workers shourd act with
integrity. This meansihut tr,uy shourd not
abuse rhe rerationship of the trust,irttip"opr";r*g,il
Jervices; they
should recognize the boundaries between
personal and professionar
life, and they should not abuse their positior,
tivities for personh be,efit or
gain.
orkers'
:ttings;
18 social workers should provide accurate information
conduct and competence.
about their
roader
L9 social workers should treat information
about people who use their
services as confidentiar except in situations
that l"rii* greater ethicar
requirement such as preservation of life.
20. social workers should act within the limits
a code
knowledge, skills, and experience.
of their professionar
social
-orkers 21. social workers shourd keep their
professionar knowredge and skills up
to date so that they are abG to provide appropriate
services.