Community Worker Code of Ethics
Codes of ethics are quite widespread for community workers, and in Australia they are one of the main priorities of work. They represent a set of standards of ethical practice that all the workers should meet when serving the community. They usually determine the ethical principles of behavior, the decision-making process and responsibilities social workers have as professionals.
The main values usually incorporated in the Codes of Ethics are focused on the areas of dignity, integrity, social justice, service to humanity and work competence. According to the codes, workers should optimize their work potential independently of their background. Moreover, they are professionally obliged to improve and develop their skills and knowledge for promoting the well-being of community. Still, the core of the codes is safeguarding of human potentials and values.
As for the responsibilities of workers in relation to clients, they should always prioritize the clients’ interests, respect them and protect privacy. Actions and decisions of social workers should always be unbiased and accurate. They also have responsibilities before their employers and colleagues. In particular, they should address concerns and issues considering the unprofessional conduct of their colleagues to the management. All the issues should be resolved via established channels.
On the whole, I think that code of ethics is essential in the work of each community worker. It makes the daily work better, promoting eternal values and making people’s relations as they should be – equal and fair. If representatives of all the professions had such codes and actively used them, we would all live in a harmonious way, from which not only our generation would benefit, but the next ones will as well.