Running Head: VIRTUES AND PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL WORK 1

Virtues and Principles of Social Work

Institution

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Over the years, it has been argued that social work is a virtue-based professional activity. In the

field of professional ethics, virtue ethics are recognized as an appropriate moral philosophy for

application in social work practice and has even gained popularity in the social work academics.

Virtues can be achieved and unlocked through practical reasoning and requires regular practice

for them to stick and become part of one’s life rather than being a “one-act” of heroism. This

paper discusses the importance of key virtues and the moral principles in social work.

Social workers make valuable contribution to improving peoples’ lives and in the betterment of

the society. Social workers may choose to operate on a macro scale working for organizations or

work on a micro scale which focuses on smaller targets like individual and family counseling

(Reamer, 1995). However, despite the choice of work setting, it is the responsibility of every

worker to adhere to the professional core virtues of social work. On the other hand, the principles

form a set of ideals by which all social workers should aspire to be.

Since social workers serve large numbers of people on different levels of work setting, they face

demanding and complex situations and ethical dilemmas in their daily activities. The values are

of great importance as they offer guidance to the workers’ professional conduct to face these

dilemmas. The workers also require the strong foundation offered by these values in order to

make ethical decisions with their colleagues and more importantly, their clients (Reamer, 1995).

Service to Humanity

Service to people is one of the key virtues in social work where all other virtues are based from.

This is where social workers believe that serving other people is more significant than “self-

interest” and thus puts the needs of their clients ahead of their own needs (Reamer, 1995). To

many social workers, this virtue is of great importance as it acts as a driving power to help
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people. At times, this can be a little bit difficult and social workers are advised to seek the help

of their seniors and supervisors or even participate in self-psychotherapy to help them deal with

any arising personal issues.

The moral principle in this value of service to humanity is that social workers should set their

objectives in helping the people in need while addressing social problems. This includes

sacrificing their own interests for others and sacrificing their own time to serve other people.

This principle also encourages social workers to volunteer part of their skills in serving people

without expecting a financial return.

Integrity

This means the act of being ethical, responsible, and honest in everything and at all times. This

virtue of integrity is of great importance as it contributes much towards maintaining the

confidentiality of clients, unless one is required to give out information in particular

circumstances more so by the law e.g. in suicide and crime cases. This value also extends to

promote integrity among the colleagues and other staff (Reamer, 1995).

The moral principle of integrity is that all social works should be trust worth. The social workers

should always remain aware of their professional mission, and the required ethical standards and

thus they should act accordingly. Their honest acts should also promote ethical practices to their

organizations of work.

Social Justice

This is the desire to improve the life of the less fortunate people and those unable to support

themselves. This also includes helping those people who struggle with drug and substance abuse

or domestic violence victims.

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The moral principle of social justice is that social workers should aim at challenging social

injustice and pursue social change. Social workers should also strive to ensure that there is access

to services, equality of opportunity and services to all affected people.

Competence

This virtue requires the social workers to practice in their area of expertise and not to

misrepresent their skills to get ahead. This also means that a social worker should continually

strive towards improving the knowledge and experience and make valuable contributions to the

profession.

The key moral principle in competence is regular practice in the respective areas of expertise.

This also means that social workers should participate in professional training conferences and

other educational classes to increase their expertise (Reamer, 1995).

Human Dignity

Every social worker should understand the value of human life irrespective of beliefs or

background. Every social worker should respect the differences between his/her personal beliefs

and the clients.’ During the times when a social worker is experiencing personal struggles, this

virtue helps an individual to put aside those struggles and feelings and concentrate on helping the

clients (Reamer, 1995).

The key moral principle in human dignity is respect where each social worker is required to treat

every person respectfully and in a caring manner regardless of personal issues and differences.
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References

Reamer, F. G. (1995). Social Work Values and Ethics. New York: Columbia University Press.