Sample Social Work and Human Services Reflection paper/Reflection essay on Social Work Ethics & Values Reflection

(Social Work Ethics & Values Reflection Paper)
Everyone has a set of values by which they live and it is easy to impose the values that we strongly
believe in, onto other people. When working with clients, it is crucial to know the values that we strongly
believe in so that we don’t intentionally or unintentionally impose our values onto our clients. When that
happens, a social worker ends up violating at least one social work value or ethical standard,
sometimes more.
This assignment has the following four questions.
 Create subheadings corresponding to each of the four questions in your paper.
 Apply at least one concept, theory, or facts from the textbook, course readings, or class
discussions (other than the NASW Code of Ethics) in your paper as you address. You
need to cite the source appropriately in the paper.
1) Identify and discuss in detail one of your personal values or beliefs that could be in conflict
with a social work value or ethical standard.
a) Clearly state your personal value or belief;
b) Discuss with details how, when, and why it developed;
c) What makes this value meaningful or important to you?
2) Imagine that you have earned your BASW and are now working as a professional social
worker.
a) State what kind of a SW job you have, including what kind of program or agency (e.g.
school, child protective services, hospital, community organizations, government agencies,
mental/behavioral health, etc.)
b) Describe a realistic challenging client situation that might trigger your personal value
or belief that you discussed in question #1. Please include the reason the client is meeting with
you, and describe your verbal and non-verbal reactions and behaviors to the client(s).
c) Include examples of an actual interaction/exchange between you and the client(s);
provide examples of both verbal and nonverbal communications and behaviors.
3) Name, define, and discuss the social work value AND ethical standard(s) that your
behavior would violate if this really happened with a client.
* Indicate the Ethical Standard(s) number: for example, 1.01 Commitment to clients.
a) Define the social work value and ethical standard in your own words.
b) Why are these social work value(s) and ethical standards important?
c) What are the consequences if it isn’t followed?
SW 3700_FA2022 6
4) Identify one realistic strategy that could help you address or avoid this conflict as a
professional social worker, and help you avoid making the mistakes with real clients in the
future, that you made and discussed in questions #2 & #3.
Discuss how and why this strategy will help you put aside your personal value with future
clients? (Please note that transferring a client is often not feasible, and therefore, is not an
acceptable strategy to discuss for this assignment).
Length: Your paper should be approximately 5 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, with
one inch margins & 12 point Times New Roman font.
The Reference page does not count toward this length requirement. Remember to carefully
proofread your final paper for correct spelling, grammar, complete sentences, use of paragraphs
and professional style.
 Followed all instructions as written in the handout and reviewed in class.
 Explicitly identified and discussed with detail one personal value.
 Discussed a violation of a SW value and ethical standard(s) because of a strongly held
personal value.
 Explicitly identified and discussed (a) professional social work value(s) and ethical
standard(s).
 Demonstrated accurate understanding of SW values and ethics.
 Demonstrated ability to openly self-observe with detail.
 Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytic skills.
 Provided logical and coherent discussions throughout the paper.
 Demonstrated professional writing skills throughout the paper, including correct grammar,
wording, spelling, punctuation, use of paragraphs, complete sentences, and clear meaning.
 Used APA style (format & citations)
[FYI. You also should cite the NASW Code Ethics both in your text and References
section].