Ethical Principles of Professional Social Work

Principles of Social Work

Human Rights and Human Dignity

Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and the rights arising therefrom. Social workers should uphold and defend the integrity and physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual development of each person. This means:

1. Respecting the right to self-determination: Social workers should respect and promote the right of individuals to choose for themselves and make their own decisions, regardless of their values and life choices, provided they do not threaten the rights and legitimate interests of others.
2. Promoting the right to participation: Social workers should promote the full commitment and involvement of users to empower them in making decisions and taking actions that affect their lives.
3. Treating each person as a whole: Social workers should intervene with the whole person, family, community, and social and natural environment, taking into account all aspects that influence a person's life.
4. Identifying and developing strengths: Social workers should focus on the strengths of individuals, groups, and communities and promote their empowerment.

Social Justice

Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice in relation to society in general and with the people with whom they work. This means:

1. Challenging negative discrimination: Social workers have a responsibility to challenge negative discrimination on the grounds of ability, age, culture, gender or sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, political opinions, color or other physical characteristics, sexual orientation, or religious ideas.
2. Recognizing diversity: Social workers should recognize and respect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the societies they work with, taking into account the individual, family, group, and community.
3. Distributing resources equitably: Social workers should ensure that available resources are distributed fairly, according to need.
4. Opposing unjust policies and practices: Social workers have a duty to draw the attention of their employers, legislators, politicians, and society in general to those situations where resources are inadequate or when the distribution of resources, policies, and practices are oppressive, unjust, or harmful.
5. Working in solidarity: Social workers have the obligation to object to social situations that contribute to social exclusion, stigmatization, or subjugation, and work towards an inclusive society.