Social Work Week 2024
Happy Social Work Week!
Social Work Week (Social Work Practice: Grounded in shared values and ethics. March 4 - 10) is the ideal time to reflect on our social work ethics. As professional social workers, our practice is grounded in our shared values and ethics. Our professional standards for practice guide our work with our clients, whom are often the most vulnerable members of our society.
What are social work ethics? The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) has recently updated and launched seven core values and standards of practice.
The values are:
Respecting the Dignity and Worth of All People
Promoting Social Justice
Pursuing Truth and Reconciliation
Valuing Human Relationships
Preserving Integrity in Professional Practice
Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality
Providing Competent Professional Services
In our practice it is important to be mindful of our ethics and ensure our practice aligns to these values. This may sound obvious, but the reality of social work practice is that ethical dilemmas are very common yet must always be managed professionally. Sometimes our employers put us in grey areas, sometimes it is our clients or others we work with in community. Ethics exist to guide us in our decision making, impact how we address conflictual situations and are the cornerstone for developing helping relationships.
When in doubt; always ask! Consult with your social Work supervisor or practice leader. Also remember: the Alberta College of Social Workers is available to you as well to consult on an ethical dilemma. At the end of the day our Social Work ethics trump our employers' directions. Our ethics take precedence!
Wishing all Social Workers in Alberta a Happy Social Work Week!
Written by SWAA Board Member, Cardinal Fomradas
Find more info on Social Work Month at: