Reamer’s Guide And The Nohse Standards Essay, Research Paper

A Contrast and Comparison of Reamer’s Guide and the NOHSE standards

A lot of individuals are unaware of the presence of social workers in their respective Communities, and the variety of social work services provided by these individuals. While doing the interview with the Community Actions The Community Action Program Corporation of Washington-Morgan County, Ohio I was amazed at the complexity and of the number of human service programs in the local area. So many that I would guest that the question of ethics arises quit often. As a profession, social work has a long tradition with the concern of ethical dilemmas. The identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas is a foundation of social work education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Social workers in all occupational settings have been faced with daily ethical dilemmas. While the nature and complexity of these dilemmas have changed over time, modern-day social workers continue to struggle with difficult ethical dilemmas. In fact, all professionals, regardless of their profession, face ethical dilemmas. As a result, over time, each profession (i.e. social work, law, medicine, military, etc.) has developed a method for dealing with ethical dilemmas unique to their expertise. While there are several methods for dealing with ethical dilemmas, the most common and accepted method is the development and implementation of a professional code of ethics.

The development of a code of ethics for the resolution of ethical dilemmas is instrumental in the development and recognition of a profession by society. Therefore, one of the key attributes of any profession is the development and implementation of a code of ethics. The National Organization for Human Service Education (NOHSE) developed the Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals. Professional ethics are concerned with the correct course of professional actions when dealing with ethical dilemmas. Human Services ethics are designed to help human services workers decide which of two or more competing goals is the correct one for the given situational context. The decisions the human services worker makes may affect only a few, however, in some case their decisions affect a multitude of individuals. There is no sure way of resolving ethical dilemmas, however knowing and honoring the ethical standards will assist the human services worker in making decisions that will be of the greatest benefit for the targeted population or client.

The ethical standards of the human services professional are a set of fifty-four guidelines developed by NOSHE to outline the human service professional responsibility to clients. The purpose of NOSHE is to provide a medium for cooperation and communication among Human Service organizations and individual practitioners, faculty, and students. Improve the education of Human Service personnel, by fostering excellence in teaching, research, and curriculum development. Encourage support, and assist the development of local, state, and national organizations of Human Services. Sponsor forums via conferences, institutes, and symposiums that foster creative approaches to meeting Human Service needs. Frederic G. Reamer’s, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service in comparison gives the human services professional a wide range of complex and controversial concerns in ethical theory and practice. Reamer discusses the ethical concerns involved in working with individuals and families, the design and implementation of social welfare programs and policies, community work, and relationships with colleagues and employers.

Although not part of the comparison between Reamers book and NOSHE I would also like to mention the National Association of Social Worker Code of Ethics mentioned in Reamers book. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish that the human service profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers’ conduct. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. It identifies core values on which social work’s mission is based, and summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the professions core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice. It is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. It provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable. It socializes practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.

The main differences I conceived between the guidelines of NOSHE and that of Reamers book are, the Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals are a code of ethics or standard of conduct. For example Guideline number one states, Human service professionals negotiate with clients the purpose, goals, and nature of the helping relationship prior to its onset as well as inform clients of the limitations of the proposed relationship. Reamers book, what I have read so far (three chapters), has given me an understanding of the complexity in resolving Ethical Dilemmas; Through this understanding of the complexity and theories found in the book, and through practice of given cases, the human services professional can develop the tools to make difficult decisions when dealing with social issues or dilemmas. Only through Education, training and practice can the human services workers develop the skills needed to meet the needs of their clients and well being of the community. The ethical guidelines in the NOSHE and theories presented by both Reamers in his book, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service give guidelines and standards of conduct, which the human service professionals and educators may consider in ethical and professional decision-making. These guidelines are of great assistance when human service professionals are challenged by difficult ethical dilemmas.

Human service professionals as well as those who educate them, regardless of whether they are students, faculty or practitioners, promote and encourage the unique values and characteristics of human services. In so doing human service professionals and educators uphold the integrity and ethics of the profession. Understanding the Theories of Ethical Dilemmas set down in Reamers, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service, and following the guidelines set down in NOHSE Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals could greatly enhance the human service professional ability to resolve Ethical Dilemmas in the communities and agencies in which they work, and in addition enhance their own professional growth

References

The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers; NOHSE, The Purposes of NOHSE; Ethical Dilemmas in Social Services, by Frederic G. Reamer

Bibliography

by Steve Dunn