With March being Social Work Month, we will be taking the time to highlight how Peace of Time Wellness strives to embody the ethics of social work via the NASW Code of Ethics, as well as how we as a practice implement these values to promote social justice and social change.
What is Social Work?
The preamble of the NASW Code of Ethics describes the mission of the social work field as "to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession's focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living."
What is the role of a social worker?
According to NASW, social workers aim to work with and on behalf of clients to promote social justice and change, while also being sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity. Additionally, social workers work with both clients to help them address their own needs, as well as with larger institutions and communities to make sure they respond appropriately to peoples' needs and social issues. Ultimately, social workers strive to end forms of social injustice, such as discrimination, oppression and poverty. This may be approached via many routes, such as direct practice, community organizing, advocacy, social and political organizing, policy development and research.
The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. Below are these core values, and examples of how Peace of Time Wellness works everyday to implement these values in practice:
Service - Peace of Time serves populations, communities, individuals, and groups impacted by adverse events.
Social Justice- We have many ongoing social justice initiatives, including our dialogues regarding experiences with race and oppression. Peace of Time is also entering a new role with Pennsylvania's Office of Advocacy and Reform, which will allow us to better advocate for vulnerable populations using trauma-informed practices.
Dignity and Worth of the Person- As a holistic practice that encourages both physical and mental healing, we aim to reaffirm the dignity and worth of our clients through the various services we offer.
Importance of Human Relationships- Peace of Time engages the community in which we practice through donation drives, food drives, and environmental upkeep.
Integrity- Our practice follows the NASW Code of Ethics, and we as clinicians and staff coordinate with one another to ensure the integrity of our work and practice is of the highest level possible.
Competence- Our therapists practice various modalities that backed by neuroscience. We are also maintain current understanding of research, neuroscience, and modalities in the field of trauma-healing.
Resources
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English - National Association of Social Workers (NASW)'s Code of Ethics
https://www.governor.pa.gov/about/office-of-advocacy-and-reform/ - website for PA's Office of Advocacy and Reform