2.1.

4 Engage diversity and difference in practice

Practice Behaviors:
Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal bias and
values in working with diverse groups; recognize and communicate the
importance of difference in shaping life experiences
3410
Moral Reasoning Values
This paper I explain the differences between morals, values and ethics as they relate to people
and to professional social work practice. I discuss me beliefs of how these are all interrelated and
how they are different. I explain how they are important to professional social work and how
social workers may perceive them or use them.
In this paper I discuss how each person has their own individual sets of morals and
reasonings. I explain how as a social worker it is important to have and value their morals but to
not let those morals interfere with the help they are providing for their clients. I also discuss the
biological, physiological and social aspects of morals and values that can create barriers or be of
help to the practice of my professional social work.

In this paper I dices moral decision and judgements and how it pertains to the NASWs
code of ethics. As a professional social worker we use the NASW code of ethics as guidelines for
our practice. As a social worker it is important to use this code of ethics to help clients on a daily
basis. I discuss how moral and ethical decision making are different and similar and how
important each is for a social worker. This paper helped me to become self-aware for my own
morals and ethical dilemmas that may arise in the social work profession. It also helped me to
understand the process that a social worker needs to understand for creating those barriers
between moral beliefs and ethical standards.

Moral Reasoning Values

SW3410
Kayli Sheehan
EK7956
Wayne State University

Moral Reasoning Values

According the text Morals are first-order convictions about what types of behavior are
right and wrong (Barksy, 2010). Ethics refers to the rules that define what types of behavior
are appropriate and what types of behavior are inappropriate (Barksy, 2010). By these
definitions ethics is what defines the morals for a person. Moral decision making. When an
individual is using moral decision making they are making decisions based on their inner
compass of what is right and wrong. Ethical decision making is based more on ones exterior
impressions of what society says is right and wrong. These are both important types of decision

making processes for a social worker because it is good to know the difference between moral
and ethical. It is important for each individual to uphold their own values and morals. But it is
also important as a social worker to make decisions based on their ethical codes and not only on
their moral beliefs. As a social worker they may hold different morals then that of their client,
these differences are values and should be kept separate from how the social worker helps their
client. What they view as moral and their clients view as moral should not conflict during the
helping process. Social workers have an ethical code that they must follow and this helps to
guide them to make the best possible choices and options to help their clients that they can.
There are many things that could impact a social workers judgement and behavior when
impacting clients although it is important to remember to keep personal feelings aside. For me
personally biologically there could be an impact based on my sex. I may feel uncomfortable in
situations with males clients or I may feel connected to a females client if I could relate to some
of their biological situations. Psychologically my behavior may be impacted with clients because
I can be sensitive to others problems. I am very empathetic and always try and place myself in
someones position before judging them. Psychologically helping clients could be draining and
place stress on a person mentally but it is important to do everything you can to help a client and
not to bring those issues into your own personal life. Socially I could see my clients social life
having an impact on my judgments if I morally did not agree with their behaviors or choices. It is
detrimental for a social worker to leave their personal opinions out of the helping process in
order to make their clients feel more comfortable and safe. Spiritual factors could also have an
impact during the helping process, a clients spirituality can be a large hand in helping them. It is
important for the social worker to not only understand but support their clients spirituality and
leave their own out of it. I am a Christian, and I was raised catholic so those are the only

religions I that I know a lot about, but as a social worker I will do my homework on each client
to be sensitive to their spirituality. It is important for the social worker to always remember to
keep their personal judgments and behaviors professional and empathetic when impacting
clients.
There may be many things that can influence moral decision making, although moral
decisions are important it is important as a social worker to also remember ethical obligations.
Our morals are what keep our heads above water in a sense, we have faiths, beliefs and things
that we feel are wrong. Social workers have their own morals but also follow along the
guidelines of the NASWs code of ethics in order to help them maintain this ethical decision
making skills. In order to be a professional social worker it is important to set aside personal
morals choices and to remember that the ethical choices will persevere within the profession in
order to help their clients.
When faced with an ethical dilemma it is important for social workers to take caution. It
is important for social workers not to say too much to their clients without receiving all the
information that they need to help them. As a social worker, the main concern is their client, their
safety, and helping them whatever it takes. But there is a line that social workers need to
remember that once this is crossed to proceed with caution. Each situation with will be different
and many will be new, using all of the resources available are important for the social worker.
Most importantly is to always refer back to the code of ethics. Maintaining professional
relationship, and conversation with the client. The social worker can also use other colleges as a
tool, as long at maintaining confidentiality while doing so. Social workers must always
remember that their primary goal is to help their clients and that if they can no longer do so,
because of moral or ethical reasons then they need to refer them to someone who can. As social

workers it is also imperative to up hold the disclosure agreement that they and their clients have
discussed, but if that agreement cannot be upheld that needs to be explained to the client. The
social worker must do as they see fit for the safety of their clients and others in society. Always
remembering that it is a social workers job to help serve their clients and community in any way
that they can.
Moral and ethical decision making can be important tools for a social worker. To have
both a sense of morals and ethical standards, and the important part is to know the difference. As
long as a social worker can always maintain professional and empathetic practices with clients,
even if faced with a difficult situation. It is important for a social worker to remember their
obligation to practice ethical standards while doing everything that they can to help their clients,
given each individual situation.

References
Barksy, A. E. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work. Oxford New York: Oxford
Universtiy Press.