Abstract
Social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand are bound by codes of practice and ethics, including the three Maori values of tika, pono and aroha. Ethical dilemmas occur frequently in practice situations for social workers. Student social workers on practicum may have to face these issues not only in regard to work with service users, but also in the behaviour and actions of the social workers and staff in the agency in which they are placed. Given the evidence regarding the disjuncture of learning transfer between theoretical and practical settings, this article argues that ethics and whistle-blowing issues faced by social work students are beneficial experiences in terms of translating theory and belief into practice.
Highlights
Registered social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand are bound by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) Code of Conduct for social workers (SWRB, 2016), and guided by the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers’ (ANZASW) Code of Ethics (ANZASW, 2013)
In Máori social work practice, three values of tika, pono and aroha are central (Young, McKenzie, Omre, Schjelderup & Walker, 2014)
Registered social workers in New Zealand are expected to practice social work according to these values
Summary
Registered social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand are bound by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) Code of Conduct for social workers (SWRB, 2016), and guided by the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers’ (ANZASW) Code of Ethics (ANZASW, 2013). In Máori social work practice, three values of tika (being correct and appropriate), pono (acting with integrity) and aroha (actions motivated by empathy and compassion) are central (Young, McKenzie, Omre, Schjelderup & Walker, 2014). Registered social workers in New Zealand are expected to practice social work according to these values. For social work students placed within agencies and organisations for practical placements, these, along with the policies and procedures of the placement organisation, provide a framework for appropriate actions and behaviour. What happens when the student becomes aware of a gap between policy, procedure and practice? This paper aims to highlight the learning potential of such situations, both in terms of personal learning for student social workers and as a ‘spot check’ on students’ abilities to practice in an ethical way What happens when the student becomes aware of a gap between policy, procedure and practice? This paper aims to highlight the learning potential of such situations, both in terms of personal learning for student social workers and as a ‘spot check’ on students’ abilities to practice in an ethical way
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