SOWK13006  Ethical Social Work Practice

This course presents ethical theories and principles and their relationship to social work practice. The Australian Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics is examined thoroughly as it is applied to a case study from fieldwork. Ethical decision making for professional practice and its relationship with moral responsibility is explored. The role of personal and professional value systems and their place in various practice settings, and in the legal and organisational context of social work is analysed. An analysis of modernist and post-modernist approaches to ethical dilemmas is also presented prompting reflection on the legislative nature of modernist ethics as opposed to skilful moral questioning in context, which is the preferred position of post-modern ethics.