An awareness of one's own ethical assumptions and how these inform everyday practice is crucial for all student social workers. Social workers who genuinely wish to do the right thing by their services users have no alternative but to constantly think and rethink the principles and assumptions that inform their actions, and this book supports them on their journey to do just that.
This third edition is set out in two parts: Part I deals with broad ideas about values and ethics in general, looking at philosophy, religion and politics, as well as the duty of realism. Part II takes the discussion further, looking at how these general principles are relevant to everyday practice, with chapters on the use and misuse of power, the idea of self-determination, and the challenges of working with people whose experience and outlook are different to one's own.
Introduction
PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF VALUES AND ETHICS
What are Values and Ethics?
Moral Philosophy
Values and Religion
Values and Politics
Realism as an Ethical Principle
PART II: VALUES AND ETHICS IN PRACTICE
Being Professional
Uses and abuses of power
Risk and blame
Self-determination and privacy
Respect or oppression
Limited resources
Difference and diversity