The purpose of this study is to compare the ethical principals for social workers from several countries and to understand the ethical principals, values and the ethical minds required of social workers who are employed in social welfare facilities in...
The purpose of this study is to compare the ethical principals for social workers from several countries and to understand the ethical principals, values and the ethical minds required of social workers who are employed in social welfare facilities in order to find the problems and solutions.
To understand the ethical mind of a social worker, who provides social welfare services to clients at social welfare sites in Korea, the ethical principals of social workers from Korea and other countries were compared and analyzed, also a survey was performed to see how social workers feel and behave when confronting ethical problems at social welfare sites.
The survey period was from April, 10, 2007 to April, 30, 2007 for 21 days and the survey area was a total of 40 facilities such as welfare facilities for the elderly, complex social welfare centers, and social welfare facilities for the disabled in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk, Gumi, Yiksan Jeonbuk and Jeonju, and a total of 480 out of 650 papers were collected. SPSS 10.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Science) was used to analyze the 428 papers which were pretty sincerely answered.
The ethical mind of Korean social workers employed at social welfare facilities was revealed to be pretty healthy. They had high pride and considered their jobs to be professional jobs, also they were aware of the social worker's ethical principals but didn't know the details about them, moreover, many of them have never received any formal training or education about them, which indicates that education on Ethical Principals and Values for Social Workers needs to be provided.
Social workers pursued the goal of having a professional job, and were very enthusiastic about their job, however, they think that related associations or groups are not interested in social workers, and moreover, they don't believe that they will receive the proper punishment if they violate the social worker's ethical principals.
The research about the social welfare associations or group activities, less than a half of social workers are enrolled in a group and subscribed to the regular magazines, moreover, they were passive about the seminars or other types of education provided by those associations and groups, and even showed a negative response, which brings up worries. Related groups such as the Social Welfare Association need to prepare a wider and more organized plan and methods to induce the active participation of social workers.
Social workers considered their own values, benefits, judgments and rights as well as the client's benefits, also they think that the attitude of demanding a social worker's unconditional service or sacrifice need to be restrained.
Even though they think their own judgment is very important in their profession, it was revealed that many of them find it difficult to make decisions with their own judgment. They hoped to have more uncontrolled situations so they can make their own decisions; moreover they were not satisfied with their salaries.
On the whole, they had a healthy mind considering their client's rights first; however, the efforts to develop their professionalism or participation to educations were revealed to be very low. Even though they think the clients are important and need to be protected, the standards of protection depend on the social worker's value aspect, and therefore, a firmer value aspect needs to be established.
Social workers wished to have more assistance and generous understanding from supervisors to perform their professional job, rather than the current authoritative attitude.
They respected the ethical warnings or decisions of organizations or welfare ethic committees, however, it was revealed that most organizations have never discussed or filed any complaints with the welfare ethic committee when an organization or coworkers violated the ethical principals. Even though it is necessary for social workers to take active roles and participate in activities conducted by the social welfare associations, many social workers haven't participated in educations or seminars, which is a problem that needs to be solved by the welfare ethics committee.
The academic world of Social Welfare or social worker's association or welfare association needs to enhance the ethical education for social workers and Social Worker majors. More organized and practical educational programs, for example providing incentives for social worker certification, need to be provided to Certified Social Workers who are working in social welfare sites in order to establish organized ethical education. These kinds of efforts will contribute to the development of the social worker's professionalism.
Ethical principals are a bowl for the value of the era also it needs to pursue the values that are proper for the needs of age, culture, and history. Therefore, instead of ignoring the ethical principals after they are established, they need to be constantly developed and changed according to the requirements of the age.