Introduction To Social WorkUnit 310 min read

Social Work Profession: Values, Ethics & Code of Conduct

Unit 3 of Introduction To Social Work explores the core values, ethical principles, and professional codes guiding social work practice globally and in Nepal, with real-world applications and exam-focused analysis.

Padhai · Based on the official syllabus and past papers
Updated 29 Sept 2026

Social work is built on six core values (NASW, 2021) that distinguish it as a profession. These values are not just abstract ideals—they are the moral compass for every intervention, from counseling a child in conflict to advocating for policy change. Below is a visual hierarchy of these values and their practical implications:

Hierarchy of NASW’s 6 core values with Nepali-relevant examples

Why this matters: These values are not optional. For example, when a social worker at eSewa designs a digital inclusion program for elderly users, they must ensure dignity (easy-to-use interfaces) and social justice (affordable access for rural areas).

Ethics in social work are not just rules—they are frameworks for decision-making when values conflict. The NASW Code of Ethics (2021) provides guidelines, but real-world dilemmas require critical thinking.

Key Ethical Principles

Principle	Definition	Example in Nepal
Client Self-Determination	Respect clients’ right to make choices, even if risky.	A sex worker refusing HIV testing.
Confidentiality	Protect client privacy unless harm is imminent.	A domestic violence victim’s case notes.
Non-Maleficence	Avoid causing harm (e.g., over-medicalizing poverty).	Labeling a street child as "delinquent."
Beneficence	Act in the client’s best interest.	Advocating for a mentally ill person’s right to medication.
Justice	Fair distribution of resources.	Allocating NGO funds to marginalized groups.

Worked Example: A social worker at Khalti notices a customer’s transaction history suggests they are a victim of online scams. Should they report it to the bank?

Conflict: Confidentiality vs. protecting the client from harm.
Solution: Use informed consent to discuss risks and involve law enforcement only if the client agrees.

Code of Conduct: NASW vs. Nepal’s Context

While the NASW Code of Ethics is global, Nepal’s social workers face unique challenges due to cultural, legal, and systemic barriers.

Comparison Table: NASW Code vs. Nepal’s Adaptations

NASW Standard	Nepalese Adaptation	Example
1.01 Commitment to Clients	Prioritize clients’ needs but balance with family/community expectations (e.g., caste).	A Dalit client’s family pressures the worker to hide their caste status.
2.01 Self-Determination	Respect autonomy, but intervene if harm is culturally sanctioned (e.g., child marriage).	A 14-year-old girl’s family arranges her marriage; the worker must decide whether to report.
3.04 Privacy and Confidentiality	Limited by Nepal’s Right to Information Act (2064) and court orders.	A child abuse case where police demand case files without a warrant.
4.02 Discrimination	Address systemic discrimination (e.g., untouchability, gender bias).	Advocating for a transgender person’s right to a government ID.
5.01 Sexual Relationships	Strictly prohibited; cultural norms may pressure workers to accept "friendly" gestures.	A client offers a "gift" (bribe) for services.

Real-World Tie-In: At Pathao, a social worker might encounter a driver who refuses to use the app’s safety features (e.g., sharing trips with others). The worker must balance:

Client self-determination (driver’s choice).
Non-maleficence (preventing accidents).
Cultural context (drivers may distrust "big brother" tracking).

In the Real World

eSewa’s Digital Inclusion Program
- Idea Used: Social Justice + Competence
- How: eSewa partners with social workers to train elderly users in Kathmandu and Pokhara, ensuring their platforms comply with Nepal’s Disability Rights Act (2074). Workers use plain language (value: dignity) and home visits (value: importance of relationships) to reduce digital exclusion.
Ncell’s "Safe Line" Helpline
- Idea Used: Confidentiality + Non-Maleficence
- How: Ncell’s helpline for domestic violence victims must protect caller IDs (confidentiality) while ensuring victims get emergency police support (non-maleficence). Workers are trained to assess risk (e.g., if the abuser has access to the phone) and refer clients to shelters like Swayamsidha.
Daraz’s Supplier Code of Conduct
- Idea Used: Social Justice + Integrity
- How: Daraz’s Supplier Code prohibits child labor in its supply chain. Social workers audit factories in Chitwan and Morang, where bonded labor is reported. They must balance:
- Justice (fair wages for workers).
- Integrity (transparently reporting violations to Daraz).
- Cultural sensitivity (avoiding accusations that harm workers’ livelihoods).

Ethical Dilemmas: Case Study from Fieldwork

Scenario: A social worker at a Kathmandu Metropolitan City shelter notices a 16-year-old girl, Priya, who was trafficked from Dharan. Priya’s family demands her return, claiming she "ran away" to escape an arranged marriage. The worker knows Priya wants to stay in the shelter but fears retaliation if she refuses to go back.

Steps to Resolve:

Assess the situation:
- Is Priya a minor? (Yes—child protection laws apply.)
- Is there evidence of abuse? (Yes—trauma symptoms reported.)
Apply ethical principles:
- Self-determination: Priya’s right to choose her safety.
- Non-maleficence: Returning her could mean re-trafficking.
- Justice: Her family’s rights vs. her rights.
Legal framework:
- Children’s Act (1992): Protects children from exploitation.
- Trafficking Act (2007): Criminalizes forced marriage.
Action:
- Involve child protection authorities (e.g., Child Welfare Division).
- Document Priya’s consent for shelter stay.
- Advocate for family counseling to address root causes (poverty, caste discrimination).

Example: NMB Bank’s Microfinance Program NMB’s Women’s Livelihood Program applies social work ethics in three ways:

Social Justice:
- Targets Dalit and indigenous women excluded from traditional banking.
Dignity:
- Loans are group-based (reducing stigma of individual debt).
Competence:
- Trainers use trauma-informed methods for women with histories of abuse.

Percentage of Nepali banks implementing person-first language in customer communications (2023 survey)

Worked Example: A borrower, Sita, defaults on her loan after her husband abandons her. The bank’s social worker must:

Not shame her (dignity).
Assess systemic causes (e.g., lack of childcare support).
Refer her to NMB’s counseling services (competence).
Advocate for policy changes (e.g., flexible repayment for victims of domestic violence).

Exam Tip: How to Score Full Marks

Define + Apply:
- Always define a term (e.g., "Ethical dilemma: a conflict between two ethical principles where no choice is clearly right.") then give a Nepal-specific example.
- Bad: "Social justice is important."
- Good: "Social justice in Nepal requires addressing Chhaupadi (discrimination during menstruation) as seen in Dolpa, where social workers must balance client autonomy (women’s right to refuse isolation) with cultural norms (punishments for violating Chhaupadi)."
Use the NASW Code as a Framework:
- For any question on ethics, map your answer to the NASW standards (e.g., "This dilemma involves 1.04 Client Rights and 2.01 Self-Determination...").
Link to Nepal’s Context:
- Examiners love real-world connections. For every global concept, add:
  - A Nepali law (e.g., Social Security Act, 2076).
  - A local NGO (e.g., INSEC for disability rights).
  - A cultural challenge (e.g., patriarchy in child custody cases).
Structure for Ethical Dilemma Questions:
1. State the dilemma (conflict between X and Y).
2. Identify relevant ethical principles (e.g., NASW 1.01, 2.01).
3. Analyze Nepal-specific factors (laws, culture, power dynamics).
4. Propose a solution with justification (e.g., "Prioritize Priya’s safety under the Children’s Act...").
Avoid Common Mistakes:
- ❌ Saying "social workers should always follow the law." (Laws can be unjust; ethics requires critical analysis.)
- ❌ Ignoring power imbalances (e.g., caste, gender). Always ask: Who holds more power in this scenario?

Final Visual Summary:

Based on the TU BSW syllabus for Introduction To Social Work, unit 3.

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