Social Work Core Values

Social work core values are fundamental principles that guide the practice of social work. These values are essential to the profession and are the foundation upon which social workers build their practice. In this post, we'll explore the six social work core values and their significance to the social work profession.

Service

Service is the foundational value of social work. Social workers are committed to helping individuals, families, and communities in need. This core value emphasizes the importance of providing compassionate, responsive, and effective services to those who need it most.

Social Justice

Social justice is the value that emphasizes the importance of promoting fairness and equality in our society. Social workers advocate for policies and practices that support equal access to resources, opportunities, and social rights. This core value underscores the importance of recognizing and challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for social change.

Dignity and Worth of the Person

The dignity and worth of the person is a core value that highlights the importance of respecting the inherent value and uniqueness of each individual. Social workers promote and protect the human rights of individuals and strive to create an environment that promotes their personal growth, self-determination, and empowerment.

Importance of Human Relationships

Social work is a relationship-based profession, and this core value highlights the importance of building positive, supportive relationships with clients, colleagues, and community members. Social workers recognize the significance of interpersonal connections in creating positive change and improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Integrity

Integrity is a core value that emphasizes the importance of honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in social work practice. Social workers must maintain high standards of professional conduct and ethical decision-making to ensure that they provide the highest quality of care to their clients.

Competence

Competence is a core value that highlights the importance of knowledge, skills, and continuous learning in social work practice. Social workers must maintain a high level of expertise in their field and continue to develop their knowledge and skills to ensure that they provide the best possible care to their clients.

Social work core values provide a framework for ethical and effective social work practice. These values highlight the importance of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Social workers must embody these values in their practice to provide the highest quality of care to their clients and promote positive change in our communities.