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date: 09 February 2025

The NASW Code of Ethicslocked

The NASW Code of Ethicslocked

  • Frederic G. ReamerFrederic G. ReamerRhode Island College

Summary

Ethical standards in social work have matured significantly since the profession’s formal inauguration in the late 19th century. As in most professions, social work’s principal code of ethics has evolved from a brief, broadly worded document to a detailed, comprehensive guide to ethical practice. This article summarizes the diverse purposes and functions of professional codes of ethics and the historical trends and changes in social work’s codes of ethics. The key components of the NASW Code of Ethics—the code’s preamble, broad ethical principles, and more specific ethical standards—are described.

Subjects

  • Ethics and Values

Updated in this version

Sections updated to reflect changes in NASW Code of Ethics

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