The Ethics of Social Work

2. International Declaration of Ethical

Principles and
Principles of Social WorkStandards
2.1 Introduction
Adopted by the IFSW General Meeting, Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 6 -8, 1994

The IFSW recognises the need for a declaration of ethical principles for
1. Background
guidance in dealing with ethical problems in social work.

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the principles formulated therein. The IFSW expects each member
association to assist its members in identifying and dealing with ethical
issues/problems in the practice of their profession.

Member associations of the IFSW and individual members of these can

report any member association to the Executive Committee of the IFSW
should it neglect to adhere to these principles. National Associations who
experience difficulties adopting these principles should notify the Executive
Committee of IFSW. The Executive Committee may impose the
stipulations and intentions of the Declaration of Ethical Principles on an
association which neglects to comply. Should this not be sufficient the
Executive Committee can, as a following measure, suggest suspension or
exclusion of the association.

The International Declaration of Ethical Principles should be made publicly

known. This would enable clients, employers, professionals from other
disciplines, and the general public to have expectations in accordance with
the ethical foundations of social work.

We acknowledge that a detailed set of ethical standards for the member

associations would be unrealistic due to legal, cultural and governmental
differences among the member countries.
2.2 The Principles

Social workers serve the development of human beings through adherence

to the following basic principles:
2.2.1. Every human being has a unique value, which justifies moral
consideration for that person.
2.2.2. Each individual has the right to self-fulfilment to the extent that it
does not encroach upon the same right of others, and has an
obligation to contribute to the well-being of society.
2.2.3. Each society, regardless of its form, should function to provide the
maximum benefits for all of its members.
2.2.4. Social workers have a commitment to principles of social justice.
2.2.5. Social workers have the responsibility to devote objective and
disciplined knowledge and skill to aid individuals, groups,
communities, and societies in their development and resolution of
personal-societal conflicts and their consequences.
2.2.6. Social workers are expected to provide the best possible assistance
to anybody seeking their help and advice, without unfair
discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, colour, social
class, race, religion, language, political beliefs, or sexual
orientation.
2.2.7. Social workers respect the basic human rights of individuals and
groups as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international conventions derived from
that Declaration.
2.2.8. Social workers pay regard to the principles of privacy,
confidentiality, and responsible use of information in their
professional work. Social workers respect justified confidentiality
even when their country's legislation is in conflict with this demand.
2.2.9. Social workers are expected to work in full collaboration with their
clients, working for the best interests of the clients but paying due
regard to the interests of others involved. Clients are encouraged to
participate as much as possible, and should be informed of the risks
and likely benefits of proposed courses of action.
2.2.10. Social workers generally expect clients to take responsibility, in
collaboration with them, for determining courses of action affecting
their lives. Compulsion which might be necessary to solve one
party's problems at the expense of the interests of others involved
should only take place after careful explicit evaluation of the claims
of the conflicting parties. Social workers should minimize the use of
legal compulsion.
2.2.11. Social work is inconsistent with direct or indirect support of
individuals, groups, political forces or power-structures suppressing
their fellow human beings by employing terrorism, torture or
similar brutal means.
2.2.12. Social workers make ethically justified decisions, and stand by
them, paying due regard to the IFSW International Declaration of
Ethical Principles, and to the International Ethical Standards for
Social Workers adopted by their national professional association.
2.3 Problem Areas

2.3.1. The problem areas raising ethical issues directly are not necessarily
universal due to cultural and governmental differences. Each national
association is encouraged to promote discussion and clarification of
important issues and problems particularly relevant to its country.
The following problem areas are, however, widely recognized:

1. When the loyalty of the social worker is in the middle of

conflicting interests
o between those of the social workers own and the
clients
o between conflicting interests of individual clients and
other individuals
o between the conflicting interests of groups of clients
o between groups of clients and the rest of the
population
o between systems/institution and groups of clients
o between system/institution/employer and social
workers
o between different groups of professionals
2. the fact that the social worker functions both as a helper
and controller
The relation between these two opposite aspects of social
work demands a clarification based on an explicit choice of
values in order to avoid a mixing-up of motives or the lack of
clarity in motives, actions and consequences of actions. When
social workers are expected to play a role in the state control
of citizens they are obliged to clarify the ethical implications
of this role and to what extent this role is acceptable in
relation to the basic ethical principles of social work.

3. the duty of the social worker to protect the interests of the

client will easily come into conflict with demands for
efficiency and utility
This problem is becoming important with the introduction
and use of information technology within the fields of social
work.
2.3.2. The principles declared in section 2.2 should always be at the base of
any consideration given or choice made by social workers in dealing
with issues/problems within these areas.

2.4. Methods For The Solution of Issues/Problems

2.4.1. The various national associations of social workers are obliged to

treat matters in such a way that ethical issues/problems may be
considered and tried to be solved in collective forums within the
organization. Such forums should enable the individual social
worker to discuss, analyse and consider ethical issues/problems in
 collaboration with colleagues, other expert groups and/parties
affected by the matter under discussion. In addition such forums
should give the social worker opportunity to receive advice from
colleagues and others. Ethical analysis and discussion should always
seek to create possibilities and options.

2.4.2. The member associations are required to produce and/or adapt

ethical standards for the different fields of work, especially for those
fields where there are complicated ethical issues/problems as well as
areas where the ethical principles of social work may come into
conflict with the respective country's legal system or the policy of
the authorities.

2.4.3.. When ethical foundations are laid down as guidelines for actions
within the practice of social work, it is the duty of the associations to
aid the individual social worker in analysing and considering ethical
issues/problems on the basis of:

1. The basic principles of the Declaration (section 2.2)

2. The ethical/moral and political context of the actions, i.e. an
analysis of the values and forces constituting the framing
conditions of the action.
3. The motives of the action, i.e. to advocate a higher level of
consciousness of the aims and intentions the individual
social worker might have regarding a course of action.
4. The nature of the action, i.e. help in providing an analysis of
the moral content of the action, e.g. the use of compulsion as
opposed to voluntary co-operation, guardianship vs
participation, etc.

5. The consequences the action might have for different

groups, i.e. an analysis of the consequences of different ways
of action for all involved parties in both the short and long
term.

2.4.4. The member associations are responsible for promoting debate,

education and research regarding ethical questions.
3. International Ethical Standards for Social
Workers
(This section is based on the "International Code of Ethics for the
Professional Social Worker" adopted by the IFSW in 1976, but does not
include ethical principles since these are now contained in the new separate
International Declaration of Ethical Principles of Social Work in section
2.2 of the present document.)

3.1 Preamble

Social work originates variously from humanitarian, religious and

democratic ideals and philosophies and has universal application to meet
human needs arising from personal-societal interactions and to develop
human potential. Professional social workers are dedicated to service for the
welfare and self-fulfillment of human beings; to the development and
disciplined use of validated knowledge regarding human and societal
behavior; to the development of resources to meet individual, group,
national and international needs and aspirations; and to the achievement of
social justice. On the basis of the International Declaration of Ethical
Principles of Social Work, the social worker is obliged to recognize these
standards of ethical conduct.

3.2. General Standards of Ethical Conduct

3.2.1. Seek to understand each individual client and the client system, and
the elements, which affect behavior and the service, required.
3.2.2. Uphold and advance the values, knowledge and methodology of the
profession, refraining from any behavior, which damages the
functioning of the profession.
3.2.3. Recognize professional and personal limitations.
3.2.4. Encourage the utilization of all relevant knowledge and skills.
3.2.5. Apply relevant methods in the development and validation of
knowledge.
3.2.6. Contribute professional expertise to the development of policies and
programs, which improve the quality of life in society.
3.2.7. Identify and interpret social needs.
3.2.8. Identify and interpret the basis and nature of individual, group,
community, national, and international social problems.
3.2.9. Identify and interpret the work of the social work profession.
3.2.10. Clarify whether public statements are made or actions performed on
an individual basis or as representative of a professional association,
agency or organization, or other group.

3.3 Social Work Standards Relative to Clients

3.3.1. Accept primary responsibility to identified clients, but within

limitations set by the ethical claims of others.
3.3.2. Maintain the client's right to a relationship of trust, to privacy and
confidentiality, and to responsible use of information. The collection
and sharing of information or data is related to the professional
service function with the client informed as to its necessity and use.
No information is released without prior knowledge and informed
consent of the client, except where the client cannot be responsible
or others may be seriously jeopardized. A client has access to social
work records concerning them.
3.3.3. Recognize and respect the individual goals, responsibilities, and
differences of clients. Within the scope of the agency and the client's
social milieu, the professional service shall assist clients to take
 responsibility for personal actions and help all clients with equal
willingness. Where the professional service cannot be provided
under such conditions the clients shall be so informed in such a way
as to leave the clients free to act.
3.3.4. Help the client - individual, group, community, or society- to
achieve self-fulfillment and maximum potential within the limits of
the respective rights of others. The service shall be based upon
helping the client to understand and use the professional
relationship, in furtherance of the clients legitimate desires and
interests.

3.4 Social Work Standards Relative to Agencies and

Organizations

3.4.1. Work and/or cooperate with those agencies and organizations whose
policies, procedures, and operations are directed toward adequate
service delivery and encouragement of professional practice
consistent with the ethical principles of the IFSW.
3.4.2. Responsibly execute the stated aims and functions of the agency or
organizations, contributing to the development of sound policies,
procedures, and practice in order to obtain the best possible
standards or practice.
3.4.3. Sustain ultimate responsibility to the client, initiating desirable
alterations of policies, procedures, and practice, through appropriate
agency and organization channels. If necessary remedies are not
achieved after channels have been exhausted, initiate appropriate
appeals to higher authorities or the wider community of interest.
3.4.4. Ensure professional accountability to client and community for
efficiency and effectiveness through periodic review of the process
of service provision.
3.4.5. Use all possible ethical means to bring unethical practice to an end
when policies, procedures and practices are in direct conflict with
the ethical principles of social work.

3.5 Social Work Standards Relative to Colleagues

3.5.1. Acknowledge the education, training and performance of social

work colleagues and professionals from other disciplines, extending
all necessary cooperation that will enhance effective services.
3.5.2. Recognize differences of opinion and practice of social work
colleagues and other professionals, expressing criticism through
channels in a responsible manner.
3.5.3. Promote and share opportunities for knowledge, experience, and
ideas with all social work colleagues, professionals from other
disciplines and volunteers for the purpose of mutual improvement.
3.5.4. Bring any violations of professional’s ethics and standards to the
attention of the appropriate bodies inside and outside the profession,
and ensure that relevant clients are properly involved.
3.5.5. Defend colleagues against unjust actions.

3.6 Standards Relative to the Profession

3.6.1. Maintain the values, ethical principles, knowledge and methodology

of the profession and contribute to their clarification and
improvement.
3.6.2. Uphold the professional standards of practice and work for their
advancement.
3.6.3. Defend the profession against unjust criticism and work to increase
confidence in the necessity for professional practice.
3.6.4. Present constructive criticism of the profession, its theories, methods
and practices
3.6.5. Encourage new approaches and methodologies needed to meet new
and existing needs.