Importance of Ethics and Code of Ethics in Social Professions

This paper discusses whether I agree or disagree with Hugman’s assertion on the significance of the code of ethics for the social professions and they manage ethics concerning policy and practice. It will also reflect on what I learned regarding social professions as well as the interrelationship between these professions and social policy on the group presentation on social work where I participated.

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ETHICS AND CODE OF ETHICS CONCERN
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ETHICS AND CODE OF ETHICS CONCERN
Essay Question
Concern with ethics and codes of ethics has been at the heart of the development of the caring
professions (Hugman, 2003). Do you agree or disagree with Hugman’s statement on the
importance of codes of ethics for the social professions. When constructing your answer consider
how two social professions manage ‘ethics’ in regards to policy and practice.
Reflection on Group Presentation
How has your understanding of the social professions developed by engaging with the task of
preparing and delivering a presentation and through your wider participation in module SP311.
In drafting a brief answer reflect on what you have learned about the social professions and the
relationship of the social professions to social policy. Any thoughts on personal learning gained
by working with a group to prepare and deliver a presentation.
Introduction
In every profession today, ethics and code of ethics have been deemed to play a
significant role in ensuring their success. However, the social profession is a critical profession
which requires special attention and best practice. Therefore the code of ethics has been formed
for social professionals such as community workers, youth workers and social workers to follow.
All social professionals are confined to the Social Work Code of Ethics during their studies and
also during practice vowing to conform to its standards as well as principles all through their
careers (Share and Lalor, 2013, p.22). According to Hugman, social professionals’ code of ethics
is significant for their development. However, there have been differing perspectives regarding
this. Therefore, this paper discusses whether I agree or disagree with Hugman’s assertion on the

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significance of the code of ethics for the social professions and they manage ethics concerning
policy and practice. It will also reflect on what I learned regarding social professions as well as
the interrelationship between these professions and social policy on the group presentation on
social work where I participated.
What is social professions?
There is no concrete meaning to the term ‘profession’ however some theorists have
defined ‘profession’ as an occupation with certain features and traits. The group of certain
profession are specialized in a field of education and possess important qualification with their
profession. They hold a high degree of control and knowledge over their work. Also, they
practice their knowledge with a specific code of ethics .
Different definition of the term ‘profession’ are associated with different approaches that
are categorized with the study of the profession. Social profession is an occupation that aims to
work for the Public good. Social professionals assists individuals and families who deal with an
illness or health related issues. They help their clients with their families with a range of issues
involving counselling, coping, education and referrals. Ethics, as well as the code of ethics, are
essential and critical aspects for social professionals.
The occupations are often regulated by the state with protected titles, professional associations,
prescribed national examination and code of ethics. These ethics follows the rules of ethics, and
may vary place to place. Through this process the term ‘social’ and ‘social professional’
describing a set of professions that are different from each other and yet same.
What is ethics?

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It is hard to think of a profession that do not consider a code of ethics. There are
professions that considers their code of ethics as their hallmark. Code of conduct can be defined
as a term covering various types of code of conduct, practices and behavior. According to
Millerson (1964) the ethics of professionals are associated with concerns with moral directives
that guides the relationship among the professional and the related who are designated to
differentiate right from wrong action.
Code of ethics perform several functions. They help in recognizing professional group
including a professional association. This makes vivid statements to the members who are
involved in the group. Code of ethics helps to evaluate practice. They make the working of the
profession in a right way eliminating the wrong. Applying ethical decision making in the
planning process of a social profession’s services or when enable them to come up with proper
strategies that facilitate and ensures that their work is productive. Code of ethics acts as guidance
for the social professions which enables them to attain good performance and development. Code
of ethics is essential in regulating the behaviour, conduct and way of preparation of social
professions. Code of ethics is essential in regulating the conduct and practice of social workers,
community workers and youth workers. Code of ethics is also relevant in the social professions
in enabling them to make ethical decisions. Essentially, code of ethics is essential in enabling
social professionals to solve ethical issues amicably in a professional, peaceful and productive
way without negatively impacting their professions or worse creating bias. Also, good
relationship between social professions and society helps brining the effectiveness and
development of the social profession (Banks 2004).

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Arguments Supporting Hugman’s Statement
Regulating conduct and practice
Ethics and code of ethics are very important in social professions. Social professions are
professions that demand professionalism, best conduct and practice (Ledwith, 2011, p.35). Since
the core mandate of the code of ethics in the social professions is to guide and acts as a point of
reference for their best conduct and practice expected of them. Code of ethics stipulates and sets
the exact methods that social professionals are expected to conduct themselves when in the line
of duty and availability of code of ethics enables them to stay focus which eventually results in
top performance and high-quality service deliverance (Twelvetrees, 2008, p.11).
Guides decision making processes
The code of ethics provides a set of standards, values as well as principles that help in
guiding decision making and way of conducting oneself when handling ethical issues. Social
professionals usually undergo difficult situations and are often encountered with ethical
problems that significantly impact their work and to overcome it, the code of ethics helps them in
guiding them on ways of handling ethical problems by proving them guidelines and specific
principles to undertake in order to efficiently handle ethical issues effectively (Crickley and Mc
Ardle, 2010, p.17). In essence, the precise postulate ensures that the social professions consider
the context of the ethical issue under consideration as well as the probability of conflict among
the parties involved (Crickley and Mc Ardle, 2010, p.22).
Ensure ethical judgements
Ethical decision making is critical in this process, especially when encountered with a
complicated ethical dilemma which lacks simple answers when in the line of duty (Kiely and

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Meade, 2018, p.6). This code of ethics provides relevant standards, values as well as principles
which guide social professions to think critically and make ethical judgments which will be of
help to them. Without ethical decision making, social services provided by these social
professions will be likely to be ineffective. Ethical decisions help in making sound decisions
during the planning process or when solving issues which eventually leads to the production of
high-quality services (Banks, 2004, p.64).
Source of information
Also, the code of ethics is rich in useful information and thus acts as a source of
information for the social professions. Code of ethics has valuable information such as ethical
theory as well as principles, agency policies, social work laws and regulations (Billett et al.,
2014, p.37). This information helps in keeping the social professions knowledgeable since such
useful information they need is accessible and always readily available. For their work to be
productive and run smooth, it is vital that social professions conform to the code of ethics and
refer to them when need be. Code of ethics enables social professionals to know what is expected
of them especially by allowing them to know and understand the relevant laws, policies and
regulation applying to their field of operation (Flyvbjerg et al., 2012, p.56). Getting to know and
follow these laws and rules enables them to abide by these laws thus making them avoid falling
in trouble with the law. As professionals, they are expected to follow the laws in place to the
latter and failure to do so, they will land in trouble, and this can negatively impact their
profession.
Maintains reputation and protects social professionals

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Code of ethics promotes the reputation and wellbeing of social professionals. Therefore it
is vital that social professionals are awarded a code of ethics to protect them from the
exploitation of any kind. Social professionals undergo through difficult situations in their line of
duty which can impact their health either physically or mentally (Dickens, 2016, p.32). For
instance, social workers may be psychologically affected by the work they do and the code of
ethics provides them with guidance and principles of how to manage such situations. Dealing
with some issues or some people can be stressful and therefore, the code of ethics guides social
professionals on how to manage stress and get over it. With regards to the reputations, the code
of ethics has stipulated clear guidelines of conduct that is to be followed by these social
professions (Skehill, 2003, p.149). Therefore, the detailed instructions of behaviour and practice
for social professionals enable them to gain a competitive reputation due to their good and
professional conduct which eventually is good for the development of the profession.
Enhances human relations
Social work involves a lot of human interaction, and human relationships are vital to take
into consideration. For social work to run smoothly and effectively, social professionals need to
establish a right and proper human connection with the people they serve (Kirwan and Melaugh,
2015, p.1057). They need to understand the people they are offering their services. Therefore, the
code of ethics enables social professionals to the value of human relations and also provide them
with an ethical principle of having the capacity of recognising and appreciating humans,
understanding them and establishing a good relationship with them. A good relationship between
social professions and society guarantees the effectiveness and development of the social
profession.
Establish integrity

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Integrity plays a more significant role in gaining trust from the public. Code of ethics
helps social professions to gain confidence from the public and make it a trustworthy institution
as well as to develop integrity (Evetts, 2014, p.42). Without trust from the public, any social
work will not prosper but rather fail which it makes it essential for social professions to have a
code of ethics which guides them on ways to conduct themselves that will help them develop
trust from the public. Code of ethics reminds and inform social professions of their profession’s
value, ethical standards, as well as practice, mission and ethical principles that are consistent
with their operation that they need to stick to and in return, will enable them to gain trust from
the public.
Arguments against Hugman’s Statement
Code of ethics does not guarantee ethical behaviour
Alternatively, code of ethics is not essential for social professions to ensure development
in the caring profession. This is because the code of ethics does not guarantee ethical behaviour.
Despite code of ethics providing guidelines, values, principles and standards of work operation
and conduct for social professions, it cannot assure ethical practice will be achieved and
therefore having a code of ethics in care profession is not necessary (Devlin and Gunning, 2009,
p.39). Thus, code of ethics does not entirely contribute to the development of the social
professions since it only sets principles and values that social profession should follow, but they
do not enforce them. It solely depends on the individual professionals to abide by these values
and principle in good faith. However, this is not effective since it depends on personal
willingness to comply with the principles and values in good faith whereby some professionals
will abide by it while others will not.

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Fails to resolve some ethical disputes
Additionally, code of ethics cannot solve all ethical disputes and issues or even
demonstrate the process and complexity entailed in the efforts of making responsible options in a
moral society (Dent et al., 2016, p.63). Therefore code of ethics cannot be relied upon in
promoting development in the social profession. Code of ethics have a weakness in handling
specific issues; it does not have an adequate basis and concept of resolving disputes. Code of
ethics only solves minor differences and not capable of addressing significant disputes thus
making it unreliable. Also, the code of ethics does not demonstrate and clearly explain the
process and how difficult it is to strive to make sound choices in a moral society (Dent et al.,
2016, p.66). These instances make the social professionals who try to apply these code of ethics
in their practices to fall out in the process due to the unexpected challenges encountered.
Especially that abidance by the code of ethics by social professionals depends on their
willingness at good faith, it makes the code of ethics to be unable to solve various issues
particularly in instances whereby the individual addressing the dispute chooses not to abide by
the code of ethics.
Managing ethics based on policy and practice
Community worker’s way of managing ethics
Community workers manages ethics based on policy and practice by providing the best
services as is expected of them which will improve the state of the community as well as the
health of the community while not conflicting with the existing laws (Gilchrist and Taylor, 2016,
71). They also manage ethics by respecting civil, human and legal rights of everyone. Moreover,
social work manages ethics by avoiding attempts to undertake interventions in fields that they are

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not specialised, trained and competent in as the law requires them to operate and offer services
they are trained in (Gilchrist and Taylor, 2016, 71).
Social worker’s way of managing ethics
Social workers manage their ethics concerning policy and practice by ensuring that they
have careful planning and preparation of their services. They also ensure that they include
diverse people as well as ensure that they maintain transparency and gain trust from the public.
Social workers assure that they do their best to impart a change in the target group they are
offering their services to (Skehill, 2003, 72). They also encourage flexibility and practicability in
their operations to adequately address the problems identified in a particular society as their
means of managing ethics.
Reflection on Group Presentation
The group preparation and presentation of the group work was incredible and very
informative. In our group, we focused on research on the social work profession. The group
presentation aimed to give highlight the mandate of the Health and Social Care Professionals
Council (CORU) as well as why it is formed to regulate social workers. I learned that the
majority of Australian social workers do not know about CORU and its role. I also got to learn
that social workers need to be regulated to obtain optimal performance and ensure the
management of ethics and that is why CORU exists (CORU, n.d.). I learned that to work as a
social worker, one has to be registered and will be able to utilise the protected social worker title.
Also, I noted that social workers are expected to abide by the registration criteria as well as
accept to comply with the social worker’s code of ethics. Additionally, I got to learn that
CORU’s mandate is to facilitate registration of social workers, ensure that professional conduct

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and ethics codes are abided by social workers, educate social workers, and ascertain progressive
professional development among social workers. I got to learn that the social work profession is
under regulation by social policy and code of ethics to ensure their effectiveness. I think working
in groups is very crucial in enhancing personal learning. Group work entails sharing of a lot of
information and includes detailed discussion which facilitates a good understanding of the topic
under study. Also, I think group work is the best way of gaining confidence since it entails
participation of all members. I have improved my self-confidence by participating in this group
discussion and as well learned a lot of information and knowledge about the social work
profession.
Conclusion
To sum up, I agree with Hugman’s assertion on the significance of the code of ethics for
the social professions. It is clear that the code of ethics plays a more significant role in ensuring
the development of social professions. Code of ethics shapes social professionals by providing
them with values, principles, standards and guidelines which promote progress in this profession.
Therefore, code of ethics is should be encouraged in all social profession to gain effectiveness
and also ensure top performance among these social professionals.

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References
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