Ethical standards in the NASW Code of Ethics: the explicit legal model, and beyond

Author:
WOODCOCK Ray
Journal article citation:
Families in Society, 92(1), January 2011, pp.21-27.
Publisher:
The Alliance for Children and Families

The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), published in 1999, contains a large structured section on Ethical Standards which is reminiscent of a legal document. This article compares the similarities of this section to the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, arguing that it appears to be modelled upon this ethical code written by lawyers for lawyers. The article argues that the NASW Code of Ethics takes a legalistic perspective that undermines other important professional ethical sources. Social workers may benefit by adopting the Model Rules, with contrasting commentary where legal and social work practices diverge. That contrast would highlight social work’s ethical advantages and demonstrate the need for nonlegal ethical principles that are underrepresented in the Code. Development of companion ethical statements would give social workers improved ethical guidance. Such companion statements, possibly developed through empowered participation by social workers across all specialties, may ultimately yield an empirically informed statement of definition and mission for the profession.

Subject terms:
law, social work, social workers, standards, ethics;
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
1044-3894

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