How has the Code of Ethics influenced your practice?

Learning Objectives

After considering this resource, you should be more aware of the influence the Code of Ethics can have on your practice.

A code of ethics within a profession offers many advantages, not least outlining the responsibilities which professionals are accountable for. In the UK, the BASW Code of Ethics provides this underpinning of the profession for social workers.

In a practical sense though, how does the Code of Ethics influence practice? In the following video, students share their own experiences of how the ethical code has contributed to their work.

Download: Video transcript

Reflective Questions

  1. If you haven't started a placement yet, how do you view the Code of Ethics? If you are on placement, did your view of the Code of Ethics change when you started in practice? How?
  2. Why is it important to have a Code of Ethics for your own practice? For service users?
  3. Reflect on how the Code of Ethics can guide your decision making on placement.
  4. How can the Code of Ethics contribute to your professional value base?
Preparation for practice