Is social work really greening? Exploring the place of sustainability and environment in social work codes of ethics

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Bowles ◽  
Heather Boetto ◽  
Peter Jones ◽  
Jennifer McKinnon
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Professional Body

This article examines the extent to which issues of environmental sustainability are represented in three national social work codes of ethics – the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. These national codes are discussed and implications for social work are analysed with a view to strengthening the profession’s position regarding environmental sustainability. Findings suggest that national codes do not include concern for environmental sustainability as a core professional concern. The authors make recommendations for developing ethical practice and further argue that the international professional body of social work, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), should take a fundamental leadership role in advocating for environmental sustainability.

Social workers’ peculiar contribution to ethnographic research

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald de Montigny
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Ethic Of Care ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face

Over generations, social workers have borrowed theories from sociology. However, sociologists have generally avoided borrowing theory from social work. By beginning with social work practice wisdom, we can unfold the complex elements organizing social work practice and by extension ethnographic research. Complexity and resulting uncertainty are antidotes for theoretical purity. Practice as grounded in life, that of client’s and social workers is inherently “dirty”, i.e., messy, disorganized, confusing, unfolding, and uncertain. Understandings and practices are accomplished in a connection of self to a profession, agency/organization, mandate and purpose, and ethical orientation, in interaction with colleagues and clients. Social workers take sides as they are grounded in an ethic of care. The challenge of developing an ethical practice in the face of difference, disagreement, disjunction, and conflict lead social workers to bracket, and hence reflect on the putative coherence of a “life world.” Face-to-face work with individuals rather than being a liability provides a source of knowledge and wisdom to inform social science generally.

Action Programmes of Social Work Organisations

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
H.R.H. Krommun Narathip Bongsprabandh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Groups ◽  
International Federation ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
International Social

Social work representatives from eleven Asian nations participated in the first regional International Federation of Social Workers Conference for Asia, November 6-10, 1967. The theme was "Action Programmes in Social Welfare and their Impact on a Changing Asia." His Royal Highness Krommun Narathip Bongsprabandh opened the Conference with the statement presented here. In addition, the three position papers of the Conference are reproduced in this issue of INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK. One of the background papers for the Confer ence and a report of the work groups appeared in the April 1968 issue of the Journal.

Reconfiguring professional autonomy? The case of social work in the UK

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Chandler ◽  
Elisabeth Berg ◽  
Marion Ellison ◽  
Jim Barry
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
The Third ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk

This chapter discusses the contemporary position of social work in the United Kingdom, and in particular the challenges to what is seen as a managerial-technicist version of social work. The chapter begins with focus on the situation from the 1990s to the present day in which this version of social work takes root and flourishes. The discussion then concentrates on three different routes away from a managerial-technicist social work: the first, reconfiguring professional practice in the direction of evaluation in practice, the second ‘reclaiming social work’ on the Hackney relationship-based model and the third ‘reclaiming social work’ in a more radical, highly politicised way. Special attention is devoted to a discussion about how much autonomy the social workers have in different models, but also what kind of autonomy and for what purpose.

Beyond the Code of Ethics, Part II: Dual Relationships Revisited

2002 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Freud ◽  
Stefan Krug
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Dual Relationships ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

The authors, both social work educators, serve on an ethics call line committee that provides insights on how the provisions of the (United States) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (NASW, 1996) interface with the ethical dilemmas encountered by the social work community. In this paper, the authors highlight aspects of social work practice that they consider ethical, yet not easily accommodated by the provisions of the current Code. They also question the 1996 introduction of the concept of dual relationships into the Code and suggest that the Code adopt the less ambiguous term of boundary violations. Also recognized by the authors is the need for clear boundaries for the protection of clients against temptations that might arise in a fiduciary relationship, and for the legal protection of social workers. But, the authors argue, social work practitioners in certain settings, with particular populations, and in certain roles, inevitably face multiple relationships as an integral aspect of their work. The authors conclude that social work's adoption of the psychoanalytic constrains of anonymity, neutrality, and abstinence has detoured the profession from its original double focus on individuals and their society.

The NASW Code of Ethics

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic G. Reamer
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
19Th Century ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Historical Trends ◽  
Late 19Th Century ◽  
Professional Codes ◽  
Professional Codes Of Ethics

Ethical standards in social work have matured significantly since the profession’s formal inauguration in the late 19th century. As in most professions, social work’s principal code of ethics has evolved from a brief, broadly worded document to a detailed, comprehensive guide to ethical practice. This article summarizes the diverse purposes and functions of professional codes of ethics and the historical trends and changes in social work’s codes of ethics. The key components of the NASW Code of Ethics—the code’s preamble, broad ethical principles, and more specific ethical standards—are described.

Latinos and Latinas: Practice Interventions

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Ortiz Hendricks
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Institutional Barriers ◽  
English Only ◽  
Complex Population ◽  
Barriers To Service ◽  
Social Work Interventions

Latinos are a heterogeneous and highly complex population that presents the profession with one of the greatest challenges in understanding diversity and what constitutes culturally and linguistically competent social work interventions. At this point in history, Latinos are the fastest growing racial and ethnic group in the United States. This has given rise to strong anti‐immigration sentiment, English only legislation, and increased discrimination and racism, which Latino newcomers must contend with upon arrival in the United States. Social workers need to work to reduce both external and internal institutional barriers to service delivery for Latinos while responding effectively to their interpersonal and familial needs.

Childbirth Distress: A Call for Professional Engagement

Affilia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-396
Author(s):  
Christiana MacDougall
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Policy Statement ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Women's Narratives ◽  
Childbirth Trauma ◽  
Traumatic Childbirth

Among women who give birth, roughly half describe their birth experiences as traumatic. Childbirth trauma is a topic of growing global interest for health and mental health professions. However, social work remains peripheral in this emerging area of scholarship and practice. This article presents a portion of findings from recent feminist narrative social work research exploring women’s narratives of their experiences of emotional distress in childbirth to illustrate the need for increased professional engagement with this important social issue. Analysis of participants’ narratives illustrates how Foucault’s discourse and power/knowledge can be useful in understanding the subtle social forces that shape birth experiences which may result in emotional distress. In this article, I argue the topic of childbirth distress falls within the reproductive rights framework and should be of importance to social workers. The findings presented below are discussed in the context of the International Federation of Social Workers’ ethical principles and its policy statement on women to support this position.

Social work: a “forgotten” piece of the integration jigsaw?

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Risk ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Professional Leadership ◽  
Managing Risk

Purpose – The article seeks to analyse the potential contribution of social work to integration debates. Social work has tended to be seen as marginal to these discussions despite the potential of social work expertise and leadership to help forge effective approaches to joined-up care. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how social work is well positioned to help lead and support practice focused change across social care and health. It also seeks to show how professional leadership can be a powerful vehicle for changing professional and organisational cultures. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on practice and research evidence to demonstrate the proposition that social work can make a powerful contribution to debates about integration. Findings – Three things could help build the cultural capital that is a pre-requisite to building integrated and joined-up approaches. First, the author needs to invest in developing the role of social workers and GPs working together as local professional and practice leaders. Second, there is a real risk that in any discussion about professional leadership and partnership, the author eclipses the singularly critical importance of engaging and involving users and carers in non tokenistic ways. Finally, the author needs to utilise better social work’s skills and knowledge in managing risk, building resilience and promoting social inclusion. Research limitations/implications – Further evaluation and research is needed about the potential for GPs and social workers to develop joined-up approaches to care for and support older and disabled people. Practical implications – Social workers need to be provided with the tools, support and space in which to develop their practice leadership role, including but not exclusively with GPs. Originality/value – This paper does not purport to offer any specifically originally research but rather some reflections on how social work expertise might better contribute to integration debates.

Eugene Kinckle Jones

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix L. Armfield
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Social Work ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Great Migration ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Urban League ◽  
The Great Migration

A leading African American intellectual of the early twentieth century, Eugene Kinckle Jones (1885–1954) was instrumental in professionalizing black social work in America. In his role as executive secretary of the National Urban League, Jones worked closely with social reformers who advocated on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. Coinciding with the Great Migration of African Americans to northern urban centers, Jones' activities on behalf of the Urban League included campaigning for equal hiring practices, advocating for the inclusion of black workers in labor unions, and promoting the importance of vocational training and social work for members of the black community. Drawing on rich interviews with Jones' colleagues and associates, as well as recently opened family and Urban League papers, the book freshly examines the growth of African American communities and the new roles played by social workers. In calling attention to the need for black social workers in the midst of the Great Migration, Jones and his colleagues sought to address problems stemming from race and class conflicts from within the community. This book blends the biography of a significant black leader with an in-depth discussion of the roles of black institutions and organizations to study the evolution of African American life immediately before the civil rights era.

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