I don’t know why we don’t say it more often, but the entire team here at Global Vision Technologies is proud to be of service to the social work profession. Social workers are the unsung and under-rewarded heroes of our democratic society. In a culture where individuals are taught to strive to “get-ahead” of one another, social workers police the boundaries of our responsibility to one another. They toil in obscurity supporting the vulnerable without the acclimation afforded the average policemen or firemen. Perhaps only schoolteachers get less respect or monetary reward, yet both are the noblest of the noble selfless professions.
What is a Social Worker?
The International Federation of Social Workers offered this definition of their profession:
“The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work…”And the IFSW continues:
“…Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and the rights that follow from this.”
Standards
In their mission statement, “Ethics in Social Work Statement of Principles”, social workers reveal the humanitarian practice standards they impose on themselves in their everyday work:“Social workers should uphold and defend each person’s physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual integrity and well-being. This means: Respecting the right to self-determination• Promoting the right to participation • Treating each person as a whole• Identifying and developing strengths”And then they add:
“Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society generally, and in relation to the people with whom they work. This means:• Challenging negative discrimination• Recognizing diversity• Distributing resources equitably • Challenging unjust policies and practices• Working in solidarity”
Code of Ethics
Finally, the social work profession sets a high bar when establishing a self-imposed code of conduct. About ethics, they write:- Social workers maintain integrity.
- Social workers act toward the people using their services with compassion, empathy, and care.
- Social workers never subordinate the needs or interests of people who use their services to their own needs or interests.
- Social workers maintain confidentiality regarding information about people who use their services.
- Social workers acknowledge that they are accountable for their actions to the users of their services.
