The BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work

1 The BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work British association of Social Workers British association of Social Workers x 1 x 1 x CONTENTS. Scope and objectives .. 3. 1. Background ..4. Ethics in Social work .. 4. The international de nition of Social work (2014) .. 4. 2. Values and ethical principles .. 6. Human rights .. 6. Social justice .. 7. Professional integrity .. 8. 3. Guidance on practising ethically as a Social worker .. 9. Appendix: Some working definitions of key terms .. 13. 2 x British association of Social Workers SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES. The British association of Social promote and work to the Code of Workers (BASW) is the professional Ethics in carrying out their obligations association for Social work and Social to people who use Social work workers in the United Kingdom (UK). services, to one another, to their The Code of Ethics states the values employers, to colleagues in other and ethical principles on which the disciplines and to society.

2 The profession is based. association commends and promotes the Code of Ethics to all Social The association has a duty to ensure workers, educators, researchers and as far as possible that its members act employers of Social workers in the UK. ethically and have the professional rights necessary to protect and The Code also applies to any events promote the rights of people who that are organised by BASW members. need to or who access Social work All participation in BASW events, services. Social workers provide whether by BASW members or others, services for and with individuals must conform to the Code of Ethics . (children, young people and adults), Guidance is available for BASW. families, groups and communities. members on how to ensure that participants understand these Social workers support people to meet requirements. their needs and to protect them from harm; they collaborate with family BASW's Code of Ethics rst adopted in members, friends and others who are 1975, has been revised and updated on also trying to provide support; and several occasions.

3 The Code of Ethics sometimes they have to engage with was updated in 2014 to include the people who have been assessed as revised international de nition of Social posing a risk to others. work: All Social workers must abide by the work/global-de nition-of- Social -work conditions of registration that apply in their own countries. While registration This current revision incorporates the allows Social workers to practise, the Global Social Work: Statement of BASW Code of Ethics summarises the Ethical Principles, agreed by the values and aspirations which BASW International Federation of Social believes should characterise Social Workers (IFSW) and the International work in the UK. association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) in 2018: The Code is binding on all Social workers who are BASW members in all statement-of-ethical-principles roles, sectors and settings in the UK. Social workers have a responsibility to British association of Social Workers x 3.

4 1. BACKGROUND. Ethics in Social work The international de nition of Social work (2014). Social workers' ability and commitment to act ethically is an Social work is a practice-based essential aspect of the quality of the profession and an academic service offered to people who engage discipline that promotes Social with Social workers. Respect for change and development, Social human rights and a commitment to cohesion, and the empowerment promoting Social justice are at the core and liberation of people. Principles of Social work practice throughout the of Social justice, human rights, world. collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central Social work grew out of humanitarian to Social work. Underpinned by and democratic ideals, and its values theories of Social work, Social are based on respect for the equality, sciences, humanities and worth, and dignity of all people. Since indigenous knowledge, Social its beginnings over a century ago, work engages people and Social work practice has focused on structures to address life meeting human needs and developing challenges and enhance human potential.

5 Wellbeing.. Human rights and Social justice serve work/global-de nition-of- Social - as the motivation and justi cation for work Social work action. In solidarity with those who are disadvantaged, the In its various forms, Social work profession strives to alleviate poverty addresses the multiple, complex and to work with vulnerable and interactions between human oppressed people in order to promote beings, their Social situation and Social inclusion. Social work values are their environment. Its mission is to embodied in the profession's national enable all people to develop their and international codes of Ethics . full potential, enrich their lives, and Working de nitions of Ethics and safeguard people who may be at values are given in the Appendix. risk of harm. Social workers work in partnership with others to nd The Code is not designed to provide a solutions and achieve positive detailed set of rules about how Social change. As such, Social workers workers should act in speci c are change agents in Social and situations.

6 Instead it comprises civil society as well as in the lives of statements of values and ethical the individuals, families and principles relating to human rights, communities they serve. Social justice and professional integrity, together with guidance on practising ethically as a Social worker . 4 x British association of Social Workers Theory: The holistic focus of Social work is universal, but the priorities of Social Social work is evidence-informed work practice will vary from country to including local and indigenous country depending on cultural, knowledge speci c to its context. historical, legal and socio-economic It recognises the complexity of diversity. Everything that Social workers interactions between human beings, do, whether as individual practitioners, their Social situation and their managers, commissioners, policy environment. The Social work makers or in other Social work roles, is profession draws on theories of human underpinned by the profession's Ethics development and behaviour and Social and values.

7 Systems to analyse complex situations and to facilitate individual, Social work in the UK in the 21st organisational, Social and cultural century is dynamic and evolving, and changes. therefore no de nition should be regarded as exhaustive. Practice: Social work practice aims to address the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It responds to crises and emergencies as well as to everyday personal and Social problems. Social work utilises a variety of skills, techniques, and interventions (including statutory interventions), but always consistently with its holistic focus on people and their Social circumstances. Social work activity ranges from psychosocial approaches such as clinical Social work, group work, Social pedagogical work, therapeutic work with families, to involvement in Social policy, education, research, commissioning, service development and service improvement. Interventions also include organisational administration, community organisation and engaging in Social and political action to impact Social policy and economic development.

8 British association of Social Workers x 5. 2. VALUES AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES. 3 Promoting the right to Human rights participation Social workers should promote the Value full involvement and participation Social work is based on respect of people using their services in for the inherent worth and dignity ways that enable them to be of all people as expressed in the empowered in all aspects of United Nations Universal decisions and actions affecting their Declaration of Human Rights lives. (1948), other related UN. declarations and the European 4 Working holistically Convention on Human Rights and Social workers should be the conventions derived from concerned with the whole person, those declarations. recognising the biological, psychological, Social and spiritual dimensions of people's lives. They Principles should seek to engage with the person and their wider Social 1 Upholding and promoting human systems such as family, community, dignity and well-being societal and natural environments.

9 Social workers should respect, uphold and defend each person's 5 Identifying and developing physical, psychological, emotional strengths and spiritual integrity and well- Social workers should focus on the being. They should work towards capacity and strengths of all promoting the best interests of individuals, groups and individuals and groups in society communities and thus aim to and the avoidance of harm. challenge stigma and promote empowerment. 2 Respecting the right to self- determination Social workers should respect, promote and support people's dignity and rights to make their own choices and decisions, irrespective of their values and life choices, provided this does not threaten the rights, safety and legitimate interests of others. Social workers ensure that any limitations on a person's rights are necessary and proportionate and are for a legitimate purpose. 6 x British association of Social Workers 3 Distributing resources Social justice Social workers should advocate for access to, and equitable distribution Value of, resources.

10 Social workers have a responsibility to promote Social 4 Challenging unjust policies and justice, in relation to society practices generally, and in relation to the Social workers are expected to people with whom they work. bring to the attention of their employers, policy makers, politicians and the general public situations where resources are Principles inadequate, and/or where 1 Challenging oppression distribution of resources, policies Social workers have a responsibility and practice are oppressive, to challenge oppression on any discriminatory or otherwise unfair, basis, including (but not limited to) harmful or illegal. age, capacity, civil status, class, 5 Working in solidarity culture, disability, ethnicity, family Social workers, individually, structure, gender, gender identity, collectively and with others, have a language, nationality (or lack of), duty to challenge Social conditions political beliefs, poverty, race, that contribute to oppression, relationship status, religion, sex, Social exclusion, stigma or sexual orientation or spiritual subjugation, and work towards an beliefs.