Profession Code of Ethics Comparison
As a social work student, we are provided with the foundational education necessary to succeed in our profession. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics is the most significant publication because it “is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers” (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017). For this assignment, we are charged with exploring other professional codes of ethics to gain a better understanding of how they may be similar or differ from one another. Therefore, I choose to explore the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics with the intention of conducting a comparison analysis of both documents. First, the NASW Code of Ethics clearly …show more content…
However, when taking a closer look, both the NASW Code of Ethics and ACA Code of Ethics share have similarities and a few distinctive differences. Overall, the professional missions of both NASW and ACA are similar in because they both focus on enhancing human well-being and quality of life while empowering and promoting respect and dignity for all humans. However, slight differences are noted. The NASW mission focuses on all humans, but pays specific attention to those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and in poverty. Whereas, the ACA mission focuses on humans in general with no special emphasis on particular groups of people.
Core Values
While evaluating each professional code, I noticed each profession held their own set of core values. The NASW Code of Ethics lists the core values of social work are service, social justice, dignity and worth or the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. While the ACA Code of Ethics core values and fundamental principles are autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. Yes, they technically have different values. But, similar in principle. …show more content…
According to NASW Code of Ethics 1.09.c Sexual Relationships, “Social workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with former clients because of the potential for harm to the client”. However, the ACA Code of Ethics A.5.c. Sexual and/or Romantic Relationships with Former Clients states “sexual and/or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited for a period of 5 years following the past professional contact”. This particular difference was used because it is one which I feel the NASW Code of Ethics places complete and proper attention to the welfare of the client regards such relationships. I believe the presence of having a relationship with a client, even 5 years after ending professional services, still poses a harm to the client. Personally, I view it as unprofessional because the meeting of the two parties occurred in a professional setting when one person sought services at a vulnerable time. To initiate a relationship with a previous client could be seen as exploiting the vulnerable or abuse of professional