Introduction
Not just anyone can be a social worker. It takes hard work and dedication to be able to tend to the needs of others on a daily basis. In addition, you must have skills and values to be as effective as possible when working with the community. In this paper I will describe my values as they relate to social work and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and life situations that led to these values. I will also discuss how I see myself practicing social work and promoting its values
Helpful Values
The one thing that I can say about myself is that I’m sensitive about the feelings and needs of others. I’m always willing and wanting to be helpful if I can. In my circle of family and friends I do my best to be there when needed. The first core value in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics is Service. This is being able to help provide recourses so that one may be able to reach their highest potential. This is a value in life that I learned at an early age from my late mother and grandmother. As a child I watched my mother and grandmother help people as much as they could. I saw as they worked together with neighbors, family and friends to make sure that their household had the daily necessities and the kids were feed. I’ve always tried to help and be resourceful. When I receive information and or recourses that I believe will make life better for someone I’m eager to share it with them. I believe that because I posses this attribute I will be a good social worker. In a professional manor I’ve used the skills of service to help parents have quality childcare.
Another value that I posses that relates to the values of the code of ethics is Integrity. I’m trustworthy and can keep what is talked about between me and that person. A client should not feel that when he/she leaves my office that I’m discussing their situation with other clients or making light of it with my co-workers. I personally do not like to be talked about to other people although there’s nothing that you can do about it. Since I personally do not like this, I don’t want to do this to someone else. A dilemma that could result from me not showing integrity is that the client may not trust me.
My personal interactions with Social Work
My life situation that has helped me shape my values and supports my belief in the social work values is that I at a point in life had to rely on social services myself. After thirteen years of marriage I was divorced in 2007. Although I received child support from my ex-husband, there were still necessities that I needed as a single mother. A friend referred me to the Family Independence Agency where I could receive help with my property taxes. I remember felling nervous about going to the Family Independence
Agency for help because I had not needed their services before. I was cautious because I had heard how some social workers did not talk to clients with respect and dignity. I also felt a bit of embarrassment and shame because I needed the help. When I met with the case worker I was actually treated with dignity and respect. The case worker helped me get the resources that I needed and also checked into other services that qualified for. I was able to express to the case worker how I was feeling in regards to asking for help.
The case worker addressed my feelings, and encouraged me. He did this mainly by using the skills of social justice and telling me that I had a right to the services and had no need to be embarrassed. He was only my case worker for a few months, however, I trusted him and to this day we are good friends five years later. He also played a part in me continuing my education, and suggested that I apply for the same position that he held with the Family independence Agency. I will never forget that time in my life or how I was treated when I need help. I support those values that were used when dealing with me. It made me feel like a person and not a beggar. I plan to use the same skills and values when someone comes to me in the same position that I was once in.
Conflicting Values
Social workers have an ethical responsibility to their clients to not be bias or judgmental. I will admit that I do not believe that homosexuality is right. I’ve been a member of my church since I was twelve. I’ve been taught by my spiritual leaders and the Holy Bible that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman. This is my belief and value and will always be. I know that I have to keep my beliefs and comments to myself when dealing with gay clients and help them with their needs. I must remember that it’s actually not my business who the client lives with or has a sexual relationship with.
Another issue that may conflict with the values is the fact that I believe that blacks should marry blacks and ect. This is mainly due to my upbringing and only seeing cultures married to one another. I also believe that children of mixed races endure teasing and identity issues because they are of a mixed race. However as my own children grew up I realized that I would prefer them to have a relationship with someone of the opposite race other than someone of the same sex. As a social worker I can’t judge or decide who my client. My personal views are not important when I’m dealing with a client.
Practicing and promoting the values
When I become a social worker I see myself loving my job. I want to choose an area of social work to work in that I love so that I can be very effective. I see myself being concerned about the people that come to me for help. I want to do the best to find the best resources that will help them. I see myself respecting them no matter how I personally feel about their personal choices. I see myself being honest with the client about what I can/can’t do for them, and making sure that I follow through on what I can do. I would work with dignity and treat my clients with dignity. I would use the skills that I’ve learned to be effective and always keep discussions between my clients and me between us. I want to keep in touch with clients and help ensure that they are making progress. By doing those things I be promoting some of the values of the Code of Ethics. I will also promote the values by advocating for the clients by making sure that they are treated with dignity as human beings and not animals when they are in my facility. I will also advocate by helping to organize and provide new recourses that will help those in need, and display social justice by treating every client fair.
My Classmates Values
I viewed the values of my classmate Rochelle Robinson. What stood out to me was the fact that three years ago she met two pregnant women who needed assistance with their unborn children. Without a degree or job in Social Work, Rochelle had a heart to help and showed concern for the women and their children. She helped and told them about resources available to them. She did not look down at them or talk about them. That is a good social worker in the making.
In closing the values of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are important. Without these skills the client will not be effectively served. As a social worker I plan to apply the values that I have learned and life situations that I have encountered to help my clients. I have dignity, I'm competent and I have integrity. These values along with skills will help me to be the social worker that I want to be.
References
Barsky, A. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work. New York: Oxford University Press.
NASW National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
Douglas,S My Values June 2013
Robinson, R http://rrobinson504.weebly.com/
Not just anyone can be a social worker. It takes hard work and dedication to be able to tend to the needs of others on a daily basis. In addition, you must have skills and values to be as effective as possible when working with the community. In this paper I will describe my values as they relate to social work and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and life situations that led to these values. I will also discuss how I see myself practicing social work and promoting its values
Helpful Values
The one thing that I can say about myself is that I’m sensitive about the feelings and needs of others. I’m always willing and wanting to be helpful if I can. In my circle of family and friends I do my best to be there when needed. The first core value in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics is Service. This is being able to help provide recourses so that one may be able to reach their highest potential. This is a value in life that I learned at an early age from my late mother and grandmother. As a child I watched my mother and grandmother help people as much as they could. I saw as they worked together with neighbors, family and friends to make sure that their household had the daily necessities and the kids were feed. I’ve always tried to help and be resourceful. When I receive information and or recourses that I believe will make life better for someone I’m eager to share it with them. I believe that because I posses this attribute I will be a good social worker. In a professional manor I’ve used the skills of service to help parents have quality childcare.
Another value that I posses that relates to the values of the code of ethics is Integrity. I’m trustworthy and can keep what is talked about between me and that person. A client should not feel that when he/she leaves my office that I’m discussing their situation with other clients or making light of it with my co-workers. I personally do not like to be talked about to other people although there’s nothing that you can do about it. Since I personally do not like this, I don’t want to do this to someone else. A dilemma that could result from me not showing integrity is that the client may not trust me.
My personal interactions with Social Work
My life situation that has helped me shape my values and supports my belief in the social work values is that I at a point in life had to rely on social services myself. After thirteen years of marriage I was divorced in 2007. Although I received child support from my ex-husband, there were still necessities that I needed as a single mother. A friend referred me to the Family Independence Agency where I could receive help with my property taxes. I remember felling nervous about going to the Family Independence
Agency for help because I had not needed their services before. I was cautious because I had heard how some social workers did not talk to clients with respect and dignity. I also felt a bit of embarrassment and shame because I needed the help. When I met with the case worker I was actually treated with dignity and respect. The case worker helped me get the resources that I needed and also checked into other services that qualified for. I was able to express to the case worker how I was feeling in regards to asking for help.
The case worker addressed my feelings, and encouraged me. He did this mainly by using the skills of social justice and telling me that I had a right to the services and had no need to be embarrassed. He was only my case worker for a few months, however, I trusted him and to this day we are good friends five years later. He also played a part in me continuing my education, and suggested that I apply for the same position that he held with the Family independence Agency. I will never forget that time in my life or how I was treated when I need help. I support those values that were used when dealing with me. It made me feel like a person and not a beggar. I plan to use the same skills and values when someone comes to me in the same position that I was once in.
Conflicting Values
Social workers have an ethical responsibility to their clients to not be bias or judgmental. I will admit that I do not believe that homosexuality is right. I’ve been a member of my church since I was twelve. I’ve been taught by my spiritual leaders and the Holy Bible that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman. This is my belief and value and will always be. I know that I have to keep my beliefs and comments to myself when dealing with gay clients and help them with their needs. I must remember that it’s actually not my business who the client lives with or has a sexual relationship with.
Another issue that may conflict with the values is the fact that I believe that blacks should marry blacks and ect. This is mainly due to my upbringing and only seeing cultures married to one another. I also believe that children of mixed races endure teasing and identity issues because they are of a mixed race. However as my own children grew up I realized that I would prefer them to have a relationship with someone of the opposite race other than someone of the same sex. As a social worker I can’t judge or decide who my client. My personal views are not important when I’m dealing with a client.
Practicing and promoting the values
When I become a social worker I see myself loving my job. I want to choose an area of social work to work in that I love so that I can be very effective. I see myself being concerned about the people that come to me for help. I want to do the best to find the best resources that will help them. I see myself respecting them no matter how I personally feel about their personal choices. I see myself being honest with the client about what I can/can’t do for them, and making sure that I follow through on what I can do. I would work with dignity and treat my clients with dignity. I would use the skills that I’ve learned to be effective and always keep discussions between my clients and me between us. I want to keep in touch with clients and help ensure that they are making progress. By doing those things I be promoting some of the values of the Code of Ethics. I will also promote the values by advocating for the clients by making sure that they are treated with dignity as human beings and not animals when they are in my facility. I will also advocate by helping to organize and provide new recourses that will help those in need, and display social justice by treating every client fair.
My Classmates Values
I viewed the values of my classmate Rochelle Robinson. What stood out to me was the fact that three years ago she met two pregnant women who needed assistance with their unborn children. Without a degree or job in Social Work, Rochelle had a heart to help and showed concern for the women and their children. She helped and told them about resources available to them. She did not look down at them or talk about them. That is a good social worker in the making.
In closing the values of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are important. Without these skills the client will not be effectively served. As a social worker I plan to apply the values that I have learned and life situations that I have encountered to help my clients. I have dignity, I'm competent and I have integrity. These values along with skills will help me to be the social worker that I want to be.
References
Barsky, A. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work. New York: Oxford University Press.
NASW National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
Douglas,S My Values June 2013
Robinson, R http://rrobinson504.weebly.com/