NASW Core Values
This ethical value emphasizes helping people in need and addressing social problems.
What is service?
This ethical responsibility protects client information from being shared without appropriate authorization.
What is Confidentiality?
This refers to automatic assumptions or stereotypes that may influence decisions without conscious awareness.
What is Implicit Bias?
When an MSW intern faces an ethical concern, this person should usually be consulted first.
Who is the Field Instructor/Supervisor?
This practice involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and reactions to improve professional effectiveness.
What is Reflective Practice?
This ethical value requires social workers to challenge injustice, inequality, and barriers that limit access to resources.
What is social justice?
Before beginning services, a social worker explains treatment options, risks, benefits, and client rights. This process is called:
What is Informed Consent?
This practice involves lifelong self-reflection, recognizing power differences, and learning from clients about their experiences.
What is Cultural Humility?
This tool helps social workers examine competing values, ethical standards, laws, and possible consequences.
What is an Ethical Decision-Making Model?
This type of documentation focuses on observable facts rather than judgmental statements.
What is Objective Documentation?
A social worker respects a client's choices, even when the social worker would choose differently. This demonstrates this ethical principle.
What is self-determination?
A former client invites their social worker to attend a family celebration. The social worker should consider this ethical issue.
What are Professional Boundaries/Dual Relationships?
A provider describes a client as "noncompliant" without considering transportation problems, poverty, or work schedules. This may demonstrate:
What is Bias or Attribution Bias?
A social worker is unsure whether a situation requires reporting suspected child abuse. The social worker should:
What is Consult with a supervisor and follow legal requirements?
Instead of writing "client is manipulative," a social worker should document:
What is the client's specific behaviors, statements, and circumstances?
This ethical value reminds social workers that every person has inherent worth regardless of their circumstances, diagnosis, or social status.
What is dignity and worth of the person?
A client sends a social worker a Facebook friend request. The social worker should first consider this professional issue.
What are Social Media Boundaries?
A social worker asks, "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?" This approach reflects:
What is Trauma-Informed Practice?
A social worker disagrees with a client's decision but believes the client understands the risks. The social worker should:
What is Respect self-determination while providing education and support?
This approach recognizes that client behavior is influenced by relationships, communities, culture, and social environments.
What is Person-in-Environment Perspective?
A social worker notices a personal bias affecting their view of a client and seeks supervision to improve their practice. This reflects this ethical value.
What is Integrity and Competence?
A social worker begins a romantic relationship with a former client shortly after termination. This raises concerns about:
What are Boundary Violations and Exploitation Risks?
A social worker recognizes they feel frustrated with a client and explores whether their reaction is connected to personal experiences or assumptions. This process is called:
What is Self-Reflection and Reflective Practice?
When ethical principles conflict, a social worker should consider these four factors:
What are Ethics, Laws, Agency Policies, and Supervision/Consultation?
An MSW intern feels overwhelmed by a case involving trauma. The most ethical response is:
What is Seek supervision, practice self-awareness, and use professional supports?