SOCW 2061: An Introduction to Social Work Practice

Important concepts in social work ethics: Respect, self-

determination, confidentiality, empowerment, and social
control

By

Harber-Iles, M.

Harber-Iles, M. (2011). Important concepts in social work ethics: Respect, self-determination,

confidentiality, empowerment, and social control. Kamloops, BC: Thompson Rivers University.
SOCW 2061: An Introduction to Social Work Practice 1

Important Concepts in Social Work Ethics:

Respect, Self-Determination,
Confidentiality, Empowerment, and
Social Control
Social workers view respect as a fundamental value. All social work professional
bodies include this concept in their statement of ethics. This is often a difficult value
to define as our view of what is respectful is often influenced by culture,
relationships, and family values. In our culture, we may judge one behaviour as
respectful, yet for another it may be seen as disrespectful. This is where practice
becomes multi-layered with contexts of diversity. Several social work values are
based on the notion of respect, such as:
Individualization—All human beings are unique, and the issues they present are
particular to them. Therefore, no matter how familiar a person’s particular situation
may seem to you, everyone must be treated as a unique individual. This is where
you must be aware of any stereotyping related to culture, gender, sexual orientation,
and so on, that could impact your view of a situation.
Acceptance and a non-judgmental attitude—All human beings must be accepted
for who they are, even if you don’t agree with their values or actions. This becomes
tricky sometimes. If our values become tested and we cannot work with someone
without judgment, it is best to acknowledge this and take subsequent action (such as
referral, etc.).
Confidentiality—Social workers are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of
service users’ information. However, confidentiality is not a universal value; it is
appropriate for a social worker to consider sharing information: for example, when
the service user’s rights, safety, or interests are threatened or a child is abused or
neglected. The social worker must use professional judgment to decide when such
an exception applies and must justify this decision to the service user.
Self determination—All human beings must be given the opportunity to make their
own decisions.
Empowerment—This is a value that is critical to the practice of social work. Hick
(2010) defines empowerment as “the process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or
political power so that one can improve one’s particular situation” (p. 20). For a
more thorough discussion of empowerment, review the section “‘Empowerment’
and Social Work” in Chapter 1 of your Hick textbook.

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2 Important Concepts in Social Work Ethics…

Social control—Most social workers are employed by government agencies or

organizations that obtain funds from the public sector (the welfare state). Many
social workers are expected to perform certain roles in society that effectively serve
to control or limit the activities of others. Acting as “agents of social control”
involves one of most uncomfortable aspects of social work practice. An example is in
the field of child protection/child welfare. Although we may agree that children
should be protected from abuse, there is no general agreement about who should do
this or how. Actions designed to protect children, perhaps by placing them outside
of the family, may turn out to be detrimental because it erodes support to the entire
family unit. In short, at times, “helping” practices may result in more problems than
they prevent.
Social work practice inevitably places social workers in positions where the available
choices and options are clouded with ambiguity, and their actions could be
destructive or harmful to the service user. Social work practice often involves
practitioners in situations where dilemmas arise.

Case Scenarios
Scenario 1
Mr. Burns is eighty-six years old and suffers from senile dementia. You are the
community health social worker who placed him in a long-term care facility nine
months ago. His wife died three weeks ago. Mr. Burns continually asks when his
wife is coming to see him. The nursing staff once told Mr. Burns that his wife had
died. This upset him to such an extent that he became agitated and had to be
medicated and physically restrained. This has been repeated on a number of
occasions. The other residents on his unit also become very distressed when Mr.
Burns becomes grief stricken. The care staff members feel increasingly
uncomfortable telling Mr. Burns the truth and find they have to spend a lot of time
with him. This means they are often unable to complete their duties for the rest of
the residents. The head nurse is concerned for her staff members and other residents,
but wants to do the “right thing” by Mr. Burns. She asks your opinion as to the best
course of action to take.
• What ethical principles apply to this situation?
• What are the possible courses of action?
• What are the benefits or harms of each course of action?

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SOCW 2061: An Introduction to Social Work Practice 3

Scenario 2
You are a school social worker and have been working with Sally, a thirteen-year-
old student in the eighth grade. You have been away from the school for a month
filling in for another social worker at another school. Today is your first day back in
this school and Sally seems overjoyed to see you. The two of you have a good
relationship and she has come to trust you. Today she tells you that she wants to tell
you a secret, but insists that you not tell her parents.
As her social worker, how would you answer Sally? If you look at the situation from
the perspective of confidentiality, it is ethical to consent to Sally’s request no matter
what the secret is?
Here are some possible secrets Sally may have. How would your response be
different if she tells you:
• She has lost the watch that her parents bought her for her birthday?
• She has a crush on you?
• Her older brother is hurting her?
• Her father has been visiting her at night and discussing the relationship
problems that he and her mom are having?
• She has not been attending school for the past three weeks?

Ethical Decision Making

• What ethical principles apply to this situation?
• What are the possible courses of action?
• What are the benefits or harms of each course of action?

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