Critical Reflection on AASW Code of Ethics for Social Work Practice

This report provides a critical reflection on the purpose and functionality of the AASW Code of Ethics in social work practice. The student explores the core values, roles, and responsibilities of social work, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in ensuring individual wellbeing and promoting social change. The report highlights the significance of respecting individuals, considering their unique circumstances, and upholding their rights and culture. It delves into the application of ethical responsibilities such as Duty of Care and Social Justice, while also examining the role of ecological systems and interpersonal interactions in social work. The student discusses the integration of social work theories and the importance of professional values like honesty and integrity. The report also touches on the challenges of balancing personal and professional values in social work and concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and the application of theories in practice to enhance professionalism. The report references relevant literature, including the AASW Code of Ethics and academic articles.

Running head- SOCIOLOGY
Critical reflection on the purpose and functionality of AASW Code of Ethics
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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SOCIOLOGY
After reviewing the protocols of AASW Code of Ethics, I have learnt that social work
is intended towards ensuring the wellbeing of the individuals. This is with due consideration
of the values, roles and responsibilities, which are crucial for completing the projects
(Aasw.asn.au 2019). I have gained knowledge regarding the promotion of social change,
which accounts for the main purpose of social work. Along with this, I have also gained an
insight into the fact that social work is conducted for enhancing the stability in the
relationship of the individuals. In all of these insights, developing ethical practices is crucial
for preserving the fundamental rights of the individuals.
Out of the ethical responsibilities in the AASW Code of Conduct, I choose Respect
for persons. Under this, I have gained the knowledge that every individual possesses unique
and equal opportunities for catering to the wellbeing of others. Here, the essential attributes
are self-determination, consistency in the rights and culture of others for the creation of a
sustainable environment (Valutis and Rubin 2016). According to my opinions, the focus on
social groups like communities is beneficial in terms of respecting their culture. Referring to
the protocols have enhanced my awareness about the fulfilling the Duty of Care in terms of
avoiding harm to others.
In this ethical responsibility, I think recognition and respect for the group identity is
effective in terms of ensuring that the collective needs of the community people have been
fulfilled. Catering to social justice is accounted as the core obligation of the social workers
regarding protecting the benefits (Kaptein 2017).
I have learnt about the diversity, which prevails in the diverse systems. In this, the
perspective of ecological systems results in the interaction between personal and the
environmental factors. According to Adelstein and Clegg (2016), consideration of the sub-
systems helps in gaining an insight into the specific behavioural, motivational, biophysical

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SOCIOLOGY
factors related to the approaches of the individuals. Along with this, I have also learned about
the interpersonal systems, which reflects the social networks into which the individuals are
tangled. These interactions enhances the cultural diversity. I feel that the physical
environment contributes in completing the social work. Incorporation of Ecological systems
model into the social work is beneficial in terms of gaining an insight into its scope and arena
(Epstein and Turner 2015).
I can make mention of system maintenance and enhancement, of which I have
upgraded my knowledge. Social workers, agencies are entrusted with the responsibility to
evaluate the structures, policies and functional relationships. This is in terms of enhancing the
efficiency. I can make mention of the role of organizational analyst, who develops policies
and procedures after detecting the factors, which can have negative impacts on the service
delivery. Boddington (2017) is of the view that incorporation of the Administrative theory
into the social work helps the workers to delve deeper into the role. I think consideration of
the case study references and journal articles is beneficial in terms of promoting the
wellbeing of the respondents. Making use of the systems adds automation into the process of
data collection.
According to my opinion, social work enhances the personality of the individuals. I
affirm with the viewpoints of the critics regarding social work being considered as a “value
based profession”. Honesty, integrity, respect and acknowledgement for the work done by
others is central for the enhancement of the professional values. On the other hand, I feel that
consciousness towards organizing the works is crucial for upgrading the preconceived skills,
expertise and knowledge. Affirming to the opinions of Epstein and Turner (2015), I can say
that pplication of the theories into the assumptions relate to the professional social work
values. Until and unless the individuals come into contact with the seniors, they do not feel
the urge to modify their personal approach.

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SOCIOLOGY
From the other perspective, social work acts as a medium between the transitions
from personal to professional. Using the theories in a rational manner enhances the
personality of the individuals, indicative of enhancing the professionalism. On the other hand,
Adelstein and Clegg (2016) states that consciousness towards preserving the core values of
research enhances the personal sphere. This enhancement attracts the clients, intending to
collaborate with the social workers. This aspect reflects the socialization of the workers.
In this context, one of the relevant issues is the conflicts, which might arise when the
personal and professional values in the social work merge. In this, ethics and individual
understanding are important components for enhancing the learning processes, needed for
completing the social works (Kaptein 2017).

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References
Aasw.asn.au (2019). Code of Ethics, Australian Association of Social Workers 2010,
Retrieved 22nd March 2019 from https://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/code-of-
ethics
Adelstein, J. and Clegg, S., 2016. Code of ethics: A stratified vehicle for compliance. Journal
of Business Ethics, 138(1), pp.53-66.
Boddington, P., 2017. Towards a code of ethics for artificial intelligence. Cham, Switzerland:
Springer.
Epstein, B., & Turner, M. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. OJIN: The
Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2), 1-10.
Kaptein, M., 2017. The living code: Embedding ethics into the corporate DNA. Routledge.
Valutis, S. and Rubin, D., 2016. Value Conflicts in Social Work: Categories and
Correlates. Journal of Social Work and Values & Ethic, 13(1), pp.11-24.