Unit 2.1 DB: Human Services Codes of Ethics
After reviewing the codes of ethics of the National Human Services Organization, the American Counseling Association, and the National Association of Social Workers address the following questions with examples from the codes of ethics:
What are the major ethical principles of human services that these organizations all share within their codes and why are these principles important for human services work?
How do issues of diversity, cultural differences, and multiculturalism fit into these codes of ethics? Describe how these organizations incorporate cultural differences of clients into their codes.
After reviewing these codes of ethics what would you say are the primary roles and responsibilities of human services agencies and providers?
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The major ethical principles shared by the National Human Services Organization (NOHS), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) include:
Respect for Dignity and Worth of All People: This principle requires human service providers to treat every person with respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. It is essential in promoting dignity, self-determination, and empowerment of clients.
Integrity: Human service providers must conduct themselves in an honest and trustworthy manner. This includes being truthful with clients and colleagues, avoiding conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality.
Competence: Providers must possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide effective services to clients. They should also strive to continually improve their knowledge and skills to maintain competence.
Ethical Responsibility: Providers must adhere to ethical standards and take responsibility for their actions and decisions. They should also report any unethical behavior observed in their colleagues.
These principles are crucial in human services work as they ensure that clients are treated with dignity, respect, and integrity while receiving competent and ethical services.
Issues of diversity, cultural differences, and multiculturalism are essential considerations in human services. The codes of ethics of these organizations acknowledge this by requiring providers to recognize and respect the unique needs, backgrounds, and cultures of their clients. For instance, NOHS requires providers to demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards cultural differences and diverse populations in their practice. ACA requires counselors to be aware of their clients’ cultural backgrounds, including their values, beliefs, and customs. NASW requires social workers to work towards understanding and addressing cultural and ethnic diversity in their practice.
The primary roles and responsibilities of human services agencies and providers include:
Providing services: The primary role of human service providers is to offer services to individuals, groups, or communities that need them. These services may include counseling, case management, advocacy, and crisis intervention, among others.
Upholding ethical standards: Human service providers must adhere to ethical standards to ensure that they offer quality services while protecting clients’ rights and dignity.
Advocacy: Providers should advocate for clients’ rights and access to resources and services. They should also advocate for social policies and programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Collaboration: Human service providers should collaborate with other professionals and agencies to enhance the effectiveness of services. They should also work with clients and their families to develop solutions to the challenges they face.
The codes of ethics of NOHS, ACA, and NASW provide guidelines for human service providers to ensure that they offer ethical, competent, and culturally sensitive services to their clients while upholding their rights and dignity.
