The social work ethics audit: a risk-management strategy

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Professional Ethics
• Continuing Education

Background:

• The knowledge base for social work ethics has grown substantially.
• Many current social workers were trained before ethics was a core curriculum component.
• This gap necessitates updated ethical guidance for practitioners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate current social work ethics knowledge.
• To introduce a social work ethics audit framework.
• To assist social workers in ethical practice evaluation and enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current social work ethics.
• Conceptualization and introduction of the social work ethics audit.
• Guidance on applying the audit for practice improvement.

Main Results:

• The article provides a framework for a social work ethics audit.
• The audit facilitates identification of ethical issues.
• The audit supports review, modification, and monitoring of ethical practices.

Conclusions:

• A social work ethics audit is a valuable tool for practitioners.
• Implementing the audit can strengthen ethical decision-making and practice.
• Continuous ethical assessment is crucial for professional social work.