12
Disciplines and Ideas
in the Applied Social
Sciences
Quarter1-Week 5-Module16
Social Workers’ Ethical
Responsibilities
Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences – Grade 12
Quarter 1- Week 5- Module 16: Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad
Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
Development Team of the Module
Writer: RICHARD M. MUÑOZ
Editors: FLORENIA C. TORALDE / RICARDO M. GAMUROT JR.
Reviewers: JARME TAUMATORGO / JERSON V. TORALDE
Illustrator: KIM ARTHUR B. CARGULLO / RICHARD M. MUÑOZ
Layout Artist: KIM ARTHUR B. CARGULLO / RICHARD M. MUÑOZ
Module 16
Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
Introduction: (GET STARTED)
Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation
to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. Ethical
responsibilities flow from all human relationships, whether personal or professional. Thus,
this module will help us to fully understand the different ethical responsibilities of social
workers as professionals, in practice setting, in the social work profession, and in the
broader society.
Learning Objectives: (SET THE DIRECTION)
Generally, at the end of the module, you are expected to identify the social workers’
ethical responsibilities in the performance of their roles and functions. In particular, you
are most likely to exhibit the following competencies:
1. Identify the different ethical responsibilities of the social workers
2. apply a specific responsibility to different settings of human life, and
3. reflect on the different ethical responsibilities of social workers.
Vocabulary List: (DISCOVER CONCEPTS)
For the purpose of creating a definite understanding of specific concepts along
social workers’ ethical responsibilities, here are some important terms you should bear in
mind before proceeding with the activities in this module:
Supervision
Evaluation
Consultation
Administration
Management
Impairment
Research
- is a process that involves a manager meeting regularly and
interacting with worker(s) to review their work.
- the process of judging or calculation the quality, importance,
amount, or value of something.
- a meeting to discuss something or to get advice.
- the arrangements and tasks needed to control the operation of a
plan or organization.
- is the coordination and administration of tasks to achieve a goal
- the act of spoiling something or making it weaker so that it is less
effective.
- a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new)
information or reach a (new) understanding.
Social welfare
Public
participation
- services provided by the government or private organizations to
help poor, sick or old people.
- can be any process that directly engages the public in decisionmaking and gives full consideration to public input in making that
decision.
Pre-test: STRETCH YOUR BRAIN
Directions: Multiple Choice Type: Read the questions critically. Encircle the letter of the
correct answer on the answer sheet. If two or more correct answers are provided in the
option, choose the best correct answer.
1. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) is the source for the code of
ethics for Professional social workers?
a. True
b. False
2. Maintaining professional boundaries is the responsibility of:
a. The supervisor at the agency
b. The worker and the client
c. The worker
d. The client
3. Professional boundaries only apply when there is a dual relationship?
a. True
b. False
4. It is never appropriate to use self-disclosure in a professional setting.
a. True
b. False
5. Transference and counter transference between the work and a client is:
a. When strong physical attraction occurs
b. The worker accepts monetary or valuable gift from a client
c. A client and worker unconsciously transfers feeling regarding issues dealt
with in the therapeutic relationships
d. When confidentiality is broken between client and worker
6. When a worker has a conflict of interest or a dual relationship with a client they only
need to inform their supervisor if a problem occurs?
a. True
b. False
7. Professional social workers should:
a. Be well educated regarding the use of social networking sites
b. Avoid using any social networking sites for professional or personal
reasons
c. Secretly follow their clients on twitter, facebook, etc in order to keep the
client accountable
d. Only participate in social networking with those clients you have dual
relationships.
8. The most frequently used skill in social work
a. Needs assessment
b. The interview
c. Goal setting
d. The determination of eligibility
9. All of the following are TRUE about social work interview EXCEPT;
a. It is purposeful
b. It has a formally determined time, meeting place and duration
c. The workers’ actions are planned, deliberate, and consciously selected
further the interview
d. It is similar to a conversation with a friend
10. The NASW Code of Ethics comprises all of the following primary facets EXCEPT;
a. General goals
b. Ethical principles
c. Ethical standards
d. By-laws
Learning Activities: TELL ME WHAT IT IS?
Directions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Analyze the descriptions provided in each number.
Use the descriptions to identify what ethical responsibility being described.
Write your answer in the blank provided before each number.
Underline the word or group of words that gave you the hint in identifying the work
area.
ADMINISTRATION
PERFORMANCE
CLIENT RECORDS
EVALUATION
COMMITMENT
SOLICITATION
LABOR-MANAGEMENT
COMPETENCE
DISCRIMINATION
INTEGRITY
INFORMED CONSENT
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SOCIAL WELFARE
CONFIDENTIALITY
LOYALTY
___________________1. Social work administrators should take reasonable steps to
ensure that the working environment for which they are responsible
is consistent with and encourages compliance with the NASW
Code of Ethics.
___________________2. Social workers who have responsibility for evaluating the
performance of others should fulfill such responsibility in a fair and
considerate manner and on the basis of clearly stated criteria.
___________________3. Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that
documentation in records is accurate and reflects the services
provided.
___________________4. Social workers should work to improve employing agencies’
policies and procedures and the efficiency and effectiveness of
their service.
___________________5. Social workers may engage in organized action, including the
formation of and participation in labor unions, to improve services
to clients and working conditions.
___________________6. Social workers should not engage in uninvited solicitation of
potential clients who, because of their circumstances, are
vulnerable to undue influence, manipulation, or coercion.
___________________7. Social workers should strive to become and remain proficient in
professional practice and the performance of professional
functions.
___________________8. Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or
collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race,
ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital
status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability.
__________________9. Social workers should work toward the maintenance and
promotion of high standards of practice.
__________________10. Social workers should promote the general welfare of society,
from local to global levels, and the development of people, their
communities, and their environments.
__________________11. Social workers should use clear and understandable language
to inform clients of the purpose of the services, risks related to the
services, limits to services because of the requirements of a thirdparty payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, clients’ right
to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the
consent
__________________12. Social workers should not take unfair advantage of any
professional relationship or exploit others to further their personal,
religious, political, or business interests.
Guide Questions:
1. What did you notice about the given descriptions?
2. How did it help you identify social workers’ ethical responsibilities?
3. What important lessons did you get after completing the activity?
Practice Task 1: KNOW YOUR TARGET
Directions.
1. After completing the previous activity, you are expected to have an idea of the
ethical responsibilities of social worker.
2. Given the understanding you have established in the preceding experience, name
at least three (3) ethical responsibilities of social worker in the given scope.
3. Use bold letters in writing your answer.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS PROFESSIONALS
1.
2.
3.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN PRACTICE SETTING
1.
2.
3.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION
1.
2.
3.
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BROADER SOCIETY
1.
2.
3.
Guide Questions:
1. What difficulty did you encounter in identifying social workers’ ethical
responsibilities?
2. What are the reasons behind the difficulty encountered?
3. How did you respond to the challenge?
Practice Task 2: WE ARE ONE
Directions.
1. Think one ethical responsibility of a social worker.
2. Write your identified ethical responsibility in the box labelled as ethical
responsibility.
3. Analyze how your chosen responsibility will be applied across the given scopes of
the social workers’ ethical responsibility.
4. Write the identified challenges in boxes below the identified ethical responsibility.
(ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY)
AS PROFESSIONALS
IN PRACTICE SETTING
TO THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION
TO THE BROADER SOCIETY
Guide Questions:
1. What motivates you to choose the ethical responsibility?
2. Which part of the activity were you challenged the most?
3. Do you think the activity has helped you to become more critical in organizing your
thoughts? How?
Practice Task 3
Directions.
1. Reflect on the given ethical responsibility of a social worker.
2. Think of particular challenges that may hinder the practice of each responsibility.
3. Write your recommendation on how you can help address these challenges.
Ethical Responsibility
Identified
Challenges
Recommended
Solutions
COMPETENCE
INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
PUBLIC EMERGENCIES__
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTION
Guide Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do you think your recommendation is relevant?
What do you think would be it
s impact to the social workers?
How would it affect effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery?
Post-test: CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Directions: Read and analyze the descriptions in Column A and look for the ethical
responsibilities they represent in Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer
in the blank provided before each number.
Column A
___ 1.
___ 2.
___ 3.
___ 4.
Social workers should have the necessary
knowledge and skill to supervise or consult
appropriately and should do so only within
their areas of knowledge and competence
Social workers should provide instruction
only within their areas of knowledge and
competence and should provide instruction
based on the most current information and
knowledge available in the profession.
When an individual who is receiving services
from another agency or colleague contacts a
social worker for services, the social worker
should carefully consider the client’s needs
before agreeing to provide services.
Social workers should be diligent stewards of
the
resources
of
their
employing
organizations, wisely conserving funds where
Column B
A. Impairment
B. Commitment
C. Evaluation and
Research
D. Client transfer
E. Public
Emergencies
F. Integrity
G.
Misrepresentation
H. Supervision
I. Education
J. Confidentiality
K. Social Welfare
L. Loyalty
___ 5.
___ 6.
___ 7.
___ 8.
___ 9.
___
10.
appropriate and never misappropriating
funds or using them for unintended purposes.
Social workers should make clear distinctions
between statements made and actions
engaged in as a private individual and as a
representative of the social work profession.
Social workers should contribute to the
knowledge base of social work and share
with colleagues their knowledge related to
practice, research, and ethics
Social workers should not allow their own
personal problems, psychosocial distress,
legal problems, substance abuse, or mental
health difficulties to interfere with their
professional judgment and performance or
to jeopardize the best interests of people for
whom they have a professional
responsibility.
Social workers should critically examine and
keep current with emerging knowledge
relevant to social work.
Social workers should provide appropriate
professional services to the greatest extent
possible.
Social workers should promote the general
welfare of society, from local to global levels,
and the development of people, their
communities, and their environments.
Assignment: EXPLORE YOUR EXPERIENCES
Directions:
1. Make an essay about your personal experience on social worker’s ethical
responsibilities.
2. Make it short and simple.
Guide Questions:
1. How did you find the activity?
2. What realizations did you reach while you are writing your essay?
3. In your own simple way, how will you be able to help the social workers assigned
in your community do the roles and functions?
Answer Key:
Pre-test
1. A
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. D
10. D
Learning Activities:
1. ADMINISTRATION
2. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
3. CLIENT RECORDS
4. COMMITMENT
5. LABOR-MANAGEMENT
6. SOLICITATION
7. COMPETENCE
8. DISCRIMINATION
9. INTEGRITY
10. SOCIAL WELFARE
11. INFORMED CONSENT
12. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Practice Task 3: (Suggested Rubric)
Criteria
Number of
identified
challenges
Relevance of
recommendati
ons
1
2
3
Identified
challenge
s do not
exist
1 - 3 but
do not
respond
to
identified
challenge
s
1 to 3 but
some are
not real
challenges
4 - 6 but do
not respond
to identified
challenges
4 to 6 but
majority are
not real
challenges
1 - 2 good
recommend
ations fit
the
identified
challenges
4
5
1 tio 3 real
challenges
4 to 6 real
challenges
3 -4 good
recommenda
tions fit the
identified
challenges
5 -6 good
recommen
dations fit
the
identified
challenges
Post-test
1. H
2. I
3. D
4. B
5. G
6. F
7. A
8. C
9. E
10. K
Assignment: Suggested Rubric
Exemplary
10 points
SelfStudent
disclosure/Depth demonstrates
of Reflection
an in-depth
reflection on,
and
personalization
of the theories,
concepts,
and/or
strategies
presented in
the course
materials.
Viewpoints
and
interpretations
are insightful
and well
supported.
Clear, detailed
examples from
personal
experiences
are provided,
as applicable
Sufficient
8 points
Student
demonstrates
a general
reflection on,
and
personalization
of, the
theories,
concepts,
and/or
strategies
presented in
the course
materials.
Viewpoints
and
interpretations
are supported.
Appropriate
examples are
provided from
personal
experiences,
as applicable.
Minimal
6 points
Students
demonstrates
a minimal
reflection on,
and
personalization
of, the
theories,
concepts,
and/or
strategies
presented in
the course
materials.
Viewpoints
and
interpretations
are
unsupported or
supported with
flawed
arguments.
Examples are
not provided or
are irrelevant
to the
assignment.
Beginning
4 points
Student
demonstrates
a lack of
reflection on,
of
personalization
of, the
theories,
concepts,
and/or
strategies
presented in
the course
materials.
Viewpoints
and
interpretations
are missing,
inappropriate,
and/or
unsupported.
Examples are
not provided.
Connection to
outside
experiences
Student makes
in-depth
synthesis of
thoughtfully
selected
aspects of
experiences
related to the
topic and
makes clear
connections
between what
is learned from
outside
experiences
and the topic.
Connection to
readings
Student makes
in-depth
synthesis of
thoughtfully
selected
aspects of
readings
related to the
topic and
makes clear
connections
between what
is learned from
readings and
the topic.
Includes
reference to at
least two
readings other
than those
assigned for
class.
Student
synthesizes,
analyzes and
evaluates
thoughtfully
selected
aspects of
ideas or issues
Connection to
discussions &
unit objectives
Student goes
into some
detail
explaining
some specific
ideas or issues
from outside
experiences
related to the
topic and
makes general
connections
between what
is learned from
outside
experiences
and the topic.
Student goes
into more
detail
explaining
some specific
ideas or issues
from readings
related to the
topic and
makes general
connections
between what
is learned from
readings and
the topic.
Includes
reference to at
least one
reading other
than those
assigned for
class.
Student
synthesizes
clearly some
directly
appropriate
ideas or issues
from the class
discussion as
Student goes
into little detail
explaining
some specific
ideas or issues
from outside
experiences
related to the
topic and very
few
connections
between what
is learned from
outside
experiences
and the topic.
Student merely
identifies some
general ideas
or issues from
outside
experiences
related to the
topic.
Student goes
into little detail
explaining
some specific
ideas or issues
from readings
related to the
topic and
makes general
connections
between what
is learned from
readings and
the topic.
Student
identifies some
general ideas
or issues from
readings
related to the
topic.
Readings are
only those
assigned for
the topic.
Student
attempts to
synthesize
some directly
appropriate
ideas or issues
from the class
discussion as
Student has
difficulty
restating some
general ideas
or issues from
the class
discussion as
from the class
discussion as
they relate to
this topic.
they relate to
this topic.
they relate to
this topic.
they relate to
this topic
References:
Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
Approved by the 1996 NASW Delegate Assembly and
Revised by the 2008 NASW Delegate Assembly