ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: Values, Principles and Code of Ethics
of Social Case Work
SUBMITTED TO: SUMBITTED BY:
Fr. AJU PHILIP VARGHESE ANJALI SASI
HEAD OF THE DEPT MSW S1
DEPT. OF SOCIAL WORK DEPT. OF SOCIAL WORK
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE ST. THOMAS COLLEGE
KONNI KONNI
SUMBITTED ON: 07/02/2021
INTRODUCTION
Social case work is the primary method of social work, is concerned with the adjustment and
development of individual towards more satisfying human relations. It deals with individual
problems through one-to-one relationship which is guided by professional knowledge of the
social case worker. Under method the social case worker attempts to repair the impaired
relationship of the client with his social environment and through a guided interaction he/she
enables the client to adapt with his/her social environment. Through this method the case
worker discovers different aspects of the client problem, prepares an appropriate treatment
plan and finally with professional knowledge in social relationship tries to bring about
necessary changes in the attitude and behaviour of the client in favour of his own growth and
development
1. DEFINITION
According to Mary Richmond Social case work is those processes which develop
personality through adjustment consciously affected, individual by individual, between
men and their social environment.
2. VALUES OF SOCIAL CASE WORK
Values are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions. They
help us to determine what is important to us. Values describe the personal qualities we
choose to embody to guide our actions; the sort of person we want to be; the manner in
which we treat ourselves and others, and our interaction with the world around us. They
provide the general guidelines for conduct.
2.1 Values related to individuals
Values related to individuals means every individual as worth and they have every right
to get respected. The individual reacts in totality. The internal and external condition of
each individual is different there for, their behaviour is differ. Also, the individual right to
develop personality according to their choice and right of self determination
2.2 Values relating to problem
1
A problem arises when an individual fails to reach his /her objectives through the learned
habit social case work believe the changing the behaviour pattern to achieve the
objectives.
The problem has many side effects and create other problem. The Internal and external
factors of the problem may not happen together but may be a cause of one another.
Everybody feels problem those who solve the problem does not become a client. The
social case worker believes in the problem-solving capacity of individual
2.3 Values relating to relationship
The person who comes for help to the agency to accepted by social case worker as an
individual and not as a case. The feeling of the client is not hurt and client is accepted as
he/she is. The basic of relationship is cooperation, sympathy, equality and help.
2.4 Values relating to social agency
The nature of social agency is always welfare and humanitarian. Proper use of agency
resources may solve the problem. The social agencies are capable of dealing with mal-
adjust mental problem. The objectives of the agency are fulfilling through process and
using the services and opportunity of the agency, problem can be solved
2.5 Values relating to social case work practice
Social case work believes in scientific knowledge and practice. It has humanitarian
attitudes and it believes in distribution value and justice. The social case work accepts not
only a solution to problem but also social development. It believes that economic
objective can be achieved through social planning
3. PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL CASE WORK
Every agency has some rules & regulation. The fundamental rules which guide the
caseworker in his action are called the principles of social casework. These principles are
classified into two-
Differential principles: The differential principle refers to those principles which help
the caseworker to diagnose case in different condition.
2
Generic principles: The generic principle refers to those principles which can be applied
in all conditions of casework practice. The generic principles are classified into seven.
These are
3.1 Principle of Individualization
Individualization means analyse an individual not from a single aspect but from various
aspects. Every Individual is different from others & unique in itself. Problem of every
individual is different from another & depend upon her/his intelligence, so the mode of
helping must be according to the Intellectual level, socio-economic situation and ego
strength, one’s capacity and resource
3.2 Principle of confidentiality
It is the preservation of secret information about the client which is disclose in the
professional relationship
3.3 Principle of client self determination
It is the practical recognition of the right and need of the client freedom in making their
own choices and decision in the case work process
3.4 Principle of non-judgmental attitude
It is the quality of case worker relationship. It involves not making any judgement on the
attitude’s standards and action of the client
3.5 Principle of acceptance
It is the principle of action where in the case worker deal with the client strength and
weakness, positive and negative feeling, constructive and distractive attitude and
behaviour maintaining the client dignity and personal worth
3.6 Principle of control emotional involvements
It is the case workers sensitivity to the client feelings understanding and providing
appropriate response
3
3.7 Purposeful expression of feeling
It is the recognition of client and need to express the positive and negative feeling freely.
The case worker never discourages such the emotion.
4 CODE OF ETHICS OF SOCIAL CASE WORK
A code of ethics specifies rules conduct to which members must adhere to remain in good
standing within a professional organization. The code of ethics sets forth the values,
principles & standards to guide social worker’s behaviour
4.1 Social case workers must:
The social case worker must maintain high standards of personal conduct and
professionalism throughout their careers. They also maintain a high level of professional
integrity. Acknowledge service as the most important element of social case work.
The social case worker engages in lifelong learning to maintain competence. Guide
practice according to scholarly inquiry and use evidence to inform best practices.
4.2 Responsibility to Clients, Social case workers must
The social case worker makes their client as a primary responsibility. They give
maximum self-determination in clients. Respect the privacy of clients and keep
information that has been shared during the course of their duties confidential. Charge
fees for services that are fair and considerate to clients.
4.3 Responsibility to the Social Case Work Profession
Uphold, represent, and advance the values of the social case work profession. The social
worker must protect and enhance the dignity of the profession. To take action through
appropriate channels to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social case
work. The social case worker must help the profession to make social services available
to the general public. Educate themselves to become culturally competent and
understanding of diversity
4.4 Responsibility to society
The social case worker promotes the general welfare of the society. The act to prevent
and eliminate discrimination against any person on the basis of race, colour, sex,
4
orientation, age, religion, origin, status, political belief, mental or physical handicap, or
other preference. To advocate change in policy and legislation to improve social
conditions and promote social justice
CONCLUSION
In this assignment we discuss about the values, principles and code of ethics of Social Case
Work. Social case work is important in our society because individuals are facing many
problems in their day today life. Through this study we identify that values, principles and
code of ethics is very important in the entire process of case work. As a social case worker, I
obey and use this principles, values and code of ethics for handling a case.
REFERENCE:
i. https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/social-casework-nature-values-
principles-and-trends/36541
ii. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43759887
iii. https://www.slideshare.net/srengasamy/social-case-work-main
iv. https://ddceutkal.ac.in/Syllabus/MSW/Paper-5.pdf
