Value
Social workers have a responsibility to respect and uphold the values and principles of the profession and act in a reliable, honest and trustworthy manner.
Principles
1 Upholding the values and reputation of the profession
Social workers should ensure that their behaviour does not bring the profession into disrepute.
2 Being trustworthy
Social workers should work in a way that is honest, reliable and open. They should clearly explain their roles, interventions and decisions. They should not seek to deceive or manipulate people who use their services, their colleagues or employers.
3 Maintaining professional boundaries
Social workers should not abuse their position for personal benefit or gratification, financial gain, or for any reason. This applies to people who use their services, colleagues and employers.
4 Making considered professional judgements
Social workers should make judgements based on balanced and considered reasoning. They should maintain awareness of the impact of their own values, prejudices and conflicts of interest on their practice. These judgments should be made in partnership with the people who will be affected. Social workers should be aware of the impact of their presence can have on people who use social work services and their relationships with others.
5 Being transparent and professionally accountable
Social workers should be prepared to account for and justify their judgements and actions to people who use services, to employers and the general public, in terms that are comprehensible to the people concerned.
