ETHC09002 2022 Professional Ethics in Social Work Practice

Contemporary social work has recognised social justice and professional ethics as core contributions to professional competency that have roots in the early history of the profession. Many international and national codes of ethics for social workers, including the Irish Association of Social Workers, contain social justice principles in their ethical statements. Social justice theory is also judged as a strong feature that influences good practice in the Social Work profession. Social work values and ethics have informed practice in the areas of professional decision making, ethical dilemmas and ethical risk management.

Consequently, this module aims to provide a general overview of approaches to social justice sources, which include normative ethical theories and moral reasoning (libertarian, utilitarian, contractual, egalitarian, and communitarian). Emphasis is given to the contemporary capabilities approach to articulate a framework for social justice practice, and to examine societal access to resources and inclusion in opportunities. Similarly, an ethic of care in contemporary society is articulated to evaluate and existing anti‑oppressive practices in social work, and appraise core ethical principles and standards. Lastly, International standards drawn from human rights law are examined to evaluate how law can further social work practice as an anti‑oppressive practice and for the promotion of societal equality. Interdisciplinary readings and personal stories from social work cases are accessed to translate social justice, and core ethical concepts into tangible social work practice.

This module supports the achievement of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:

Domain 1  Automony and Accountability 

Domain 2  Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking 

Domain 3  Safety and Quality 

Domain 4  Professional Development 

Domain 5  Professional Knowledge and Skills 

Social Work Values and Ethics is the leading introduction to ethical decision making and professional conduct. The fifth edition incorporates significant updates to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and new practice and model regulatory standards used by social service and licensing agencies around the world.

Ethics and Values in Social Work offers a clear and systematic account of professional ethics in relation to social work practice, framed within a global context. Having sold over 38,000 copies across its lifetime, this is a thoroughly revised edition of a modern social work classic from a leading international author. Combining a sound grasp of theoretical issues with a sharp focus on the latest policy and practice, this edition features: Detailed discussion of the participation of service users, including their role as activists and the importance of the service user movement; Extended analysis of professional regulation and codes of practice, and their role in defining the nature of social work; A vast array of practice examples, which bring current social issues to life; Comparison of the latest codes of ethics from across the globe; A wealth of supportive features, such as points for reflection, extended case studies and further resources. Ethics and Values in Social Work successfully synthesizes the complex ideas and concepts that characterize social work's value base. Written with Banks' trademark accessibility and theoretical rigour, this book will continue to be an invaluable resource for all students, educators and practitioners of social work.

The second edition of this popular book introduces the subject of ethics for social care and social work by exploring ethical values and principles, and how they inform and guide best practice for care in Irish society today. New to this edition: Detailed exploration of the understanding and application of caring as a value Outline of the ethics underlying various perspectives on the issues of abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide Evaluation of the practices behind the Irish banking crisis, which led to cutbacks in social services and austerity Additional case studies and questions for class discussion, which challenge the student to apply ethical values and principles Guidelines on how to write essays on the topic of ethics in social care. Explains the theoretical basis for the main values and principles that underpin and inform best practice in social care casework, as well as in residential and other care settings. Relates values and principles to specific issues, practices and standards of social care in Ireland. Explains values-led decision-making and behaviour in the context of improving care services. Presents particular ethical considerations that influence social policy formation. Encourages reflection on and critical analysis of ethics in social care, with a view to promoting its development and evolution as a practice. Written for: Applied social care, social work, social science and social studies courses at Levels 7 and 8 Also relevant for philosophy courses and courses covering ethics and social issues

Rev. ed. of: Tangled relationships. c2001.

This book, written for practicing social workers undertaking their ASYE and compulsory CPD, has been designed to help professionals make sound judgments in increasingly complex contexts and under pressure.

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This highly practical guidebook will help you develop the critical and analytical skills essential to your successful social work education and evidence-informed, reflective practice. Key features include: - Theoretical break down and simplification of key theories How to avoid common pitfalls - Activities to help you cement your learning - Case studies applicable in practice. This will support you right from the very beginning of your programme through to the end of your final placement and into practice.

This book offers a much-needed critical overview of the concept of social justice and its application in professional social work practice. Social justice has a rich conceptual genealogy in critical theory and political philosophy. For students, teachers and social workers concerned with empowerment, social change and human rights, this book provides a guide to the key ideas and thinkers, crucial historical developments and contemporary debates about social justice. It synthesises interdisciplinary knowledge and offers a new framework for practice, including a clear and practical exposition of four domains of skills and knowledge important for social justice informed social work. The book also contributes to social work pedagogy by offering a comprehensive set of learning outcomes that can be used to design curriculum, teaching and learning, and further research into social justice praxis. This book provides a range of philosophical and critical perspectives to support and inform social work professional knowledge and skills. In its tight knitting together of theory and practice this book links philosophical and moral principles with an understanding of how to engage with social justice in a way that is relevant to social work.

Now going into its seventh edition, Neil Thompson's Anti-Discriminatory Practice has been providing a trusted introduction to the challenges of promoting social justice and equality for a quarter of a century. Addressing the common concepts and issues across the various forms of discrimination, this book explores the reasons why the development of anti-discriminatory practice is so vital, and examines the steps that need to be taken towards constructing a social work practice based on principles of anti-discrimination and the promotion of equality. Promoting social justice, diversity and equality in social work practice is as vital today as it was when Anti-Discriminatory Practice was first published, and there is still much to learn. Written with Thompson's inimitable clarity, this new, fully updated edition of a classic text is key reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Social Work. Practitioners will also benefit hugely from Neil Thompsons experience and expertise.

In this landmark work, MacIntyre returns to the 'Virtue'-based ethics of Aristotle in answer to the crisis of moral language caused by the Enlightenment.

Previously published as Ethics, Aristotle's The Nicomachean Ethics addresses the question of how to live well, and originates the concept of cultivating a virtuous character as the basis of his ethical system. This Penguin Classics edition is translated from the Greek by J.A.K. Thomson with revisions and notes by Hugh Tredennick, and an introduction and bibliography by Jonathan Barnes. 'One swallow does not make a summer; neither does one day. Similarly neither can one day, or a brief space of time, make a man blessed and happy' In The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle sets out to examine the nature of happiness. He argues that happiness consists in 'activity of the soul in accordance with virtue', for example with moral virtues, such as courage, generosity and justice, and intellectual virtues, such as knowledge, wisdom and insight. The Ethics also discusses the nature of practical reasoning, the value and the objects of pleasure, the different forms of friendship, and the relationship between individual virtue, society and the State. Aristotle's work has had a profound and lasting influence on all subsequent Western thought about ethical matters. Aristotle (384-22 BC) studied at the Academy of Plato for 20 years and then established his own school and research institute, 'The Lyceum'. His writings, which were of extraordinary range, profoundly affected the whole course of ancient and medieval philosophy and are still eagerly studied and debated by philosophers today. If you enjoyed The Nicomachean Ethics, you might like Plato's The Symposium, also available in Penguin Classics.

Adams, R., Dominelli, L. & Payne (Eds) (2009). Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates 3rd Edition. London: MacMillan.

Barsky, A. E. (2010). Ethics and values in social work: An integrated approach for a comprehensive curriculum . Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.

Barcalow, E. (2007).Moral philosophy: Theories and issues. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Capeheart, L. and Milovanovic, D.  (2007). Social Justice: Theories, Issues, and Movements. Dalrymple, J. & Burke, B. (2006) Anti‑Oppressive Practice ‑ social care and the law 2nd Edition. Bucks: Open University Press.

Hamilton, C. (2012). 'Irish Social Work and Social Care Law' 1st ed., Gill and Macmillan.

Cohen, A I., and  Wellman, C.H. eds. (2014) Contemporary debates in applied ethics. 2d ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Lieberman, A. A. and Lester, C.B. (2004). Social Work Practice with a Difference: Stories, Essays, Cases, and Commentaries, McGraw‑Hill.

Reamer, F. G. (2009). The social work ethics casebook: Cases and commentary. Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers Press.

Rothman, J. C.(2014). From the front lines: Student cases in social work ethics. 4th ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

IFSW (2010) Standards in Social Work Practice Meeting Human Rights http://ifsw.org/publications/standards-in-social-work-practice-meeting-human-rights/

International Federation of Social Work (IFSW) (2012) Statement of Ethical Principles.http://ifsw.org/policies/statement-of-ethical-principles/

Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics

Banks, S. (2012) Ethics and values in social work. 4th ed. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Corey, G., Schneider Corey, M., Corey, C.  and Callanan, P. (2015) Issues and ethics in the helping professions. 9th ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning.

Chadwick, R., ed. (2012) Encyclopedia of applied ethics. 2d ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D. and Loewenberg, F. (2012) Ethical decisions for social work practice. 9th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Morgaine, K. and M. Capous‑Desyllas (2015) Anti‑oppressive social work practice: Putting theory into action. Intersections of social work and social justice. K. Morgaine and M. Capous‑Desyllas. Thousand Oaks, CA, SAGE: 1 ‑ 47.

Strom‑Gottfried, K. (2014) Straight talk about professional ethics. 2d ed. New York: Oxford Univ. Press.