socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp of the National Association of Social Workers). Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people (Code of Ethics http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp of the National Association of Social Workers)."

One of the most important ethical considerations in the field of social work is the constant respect that social workers show to the people they server. The dignity of a client is highly valued and held in high esteem in the field of social work and social workers strive to help individuals maintain their sense of dignity and value so that they can regain their sense of self-worth.

Social worker ethics also include the embracing of the value of human relationships. According to the ethical expectations of social workers, the relationships among people are very important to the people who want to change. Those relationships can play significant roles in helping change take place.

Social workers are expected to act responsibly and honorably at all times and promote pure and honest ethical practices within the organization that they work with and affiliate with.

THIS PROBLEM

When it comes to the specific problem being addressed here, while the social worker does have a responsibility to the client the responsibility to the larger group of society supercedes that. If she knows the client has defrauded society and its taxpayers while collecting checks from welfare under three different names she is duty bound to protect that society by reporting the fraud to the proper authorities.

Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. Social workers may...

At the time this client confessed to committing fraud the social worker is not legally obligated to report this as it is not a threat to the client's life however, the social worker should bear the ethical responsibly of talking to the client about confessing her crime and paying the funds back and helping her find a way to get that done.
CONCLUSION

Social workers have a high degree of ethics that they are expected to follow. Their clients trust them and must be able to count on the confidentiality of that relationship. If as in this case the client confesses to breaking the law the social worker must encourage the client to tell the authorities what she did and take the steps to correct it. At the same time she is doing this however, it is important that she also work on a plan with the client to still find a way to leave the batterer for good.

References

Code of Ethics (Accessed 12-05-06)

http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

Janesen, Bruce, (1998) Developing a social work research agenda on ethics in health care.

Health and Social Work;

Reamer, Fredric, G (2000) The Social Work Ethics Audit: A Risk-Management Strategy.

Social Work