FREE ESSAY ON REAMER'S GUIDE AND THE NOHSE STANDARDS

REAMER'S GUIDE AND THE NOHSE STANDARDS

A Contrast and Comparison of Reamer's Guide and the NOHSE standards
A lot of individuals are unaware of the presence of social workers in their respective
Communities, and the variety of social work services provided by these individuals. While
doing the interview with the Community Actions The Community Action Program Corporation
of Washington-Morgan County, Ohio I was amazed at the complexity and of the number of
human service programs in the local area. So many that I would guest that the question of
ethics arises quit often. As a profession, social work has a long tradition with the
concern of ethical dilemmas. The identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas is a
foundation of social work education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Social
workers in all occupational settings have been faced with daily ethical dilemmas. While
the nature and complexity of these dilemmas have changed over time, modern-day social
workers continue to struggle with difficult ethical dilemmas. In fact, all professionals,
regardless of their profession, face ethical dilemmas. As a result, over time, each
profession (i.e. social work, law, medicine, military, etc.) has developed a method for
dealing with ethical dilemmas unique to their expertise. While there are several methods
for dealing with ethical dilemmas, the most common and accepted method is the development
and implementation of a professional code of ethics.
The development of a code of ethics for the resolution of ethical dilemmas is
instrumental in the development and recognition of a profession by society. Therefore,
one of the key attributes of any profession is the development and implementation of a
code of ethics. The National Organization for Human Service Education (NOHSE) developed
the Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals. Professional ethics are concerned
with the correct course of professional actions when dealing with ethical dilemmas. Human
Services ethics are designed to help human services workers decide which of two or more
competing goals is the correct one for the given situational context. The decisions the
human services worker makes may affect only a few, however, in some case their decisions
affect a multitude of individuals. There is no sure way of resolving ethical dilemmas,
however knowing and honoring the ethical standards will assist the human services worker
in making decisions that will be of the greatest benefit for the targeted population or
client.
The ethical standards of the human services professional are a set of fifty-four
guidelines developed by NOSHE to outline the human service professional responsibility to
clients. The purpose of NOSHE is to provide a medium for cooperation and communication
among Human Service organizations and individual practitioners, faculty, and students.
Improve the education of Human Service personnel, by fostering excellence in teaching,
research, and curriculum development. Encourage support, and assist the development of
local, state, and national organizations of Human Services. Sponsor forums via
conferences, institutes, and symposiums that foster creative approaches to meeting Human
Service needs. Frederic G. Reamer's, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service in comparison
gives the human services professional a wide range of complex and controversial concerns
in ethical theory and practice. Reamer discusses the ethical concerns involved in working
with individuals and families, the design and implementation of social welfare programs
and policies, community work, and relationships with colleagues and employers. 
Although not part of the comparison between Reamers book and NOSHE I would also like to
mention the National Association of Social Worker Code of Ethics mentioned in Reamers
book. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish that the human service
profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and
ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and
standards to guide social workers' conduct. It is relevant to all social workers and
social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which
they work, or the populations they serve. It identifies core values on which social
work's mission is based, and summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the
professions core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should
be used to guide social work practice. It is designed to help social workers identify
relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties
arise. It provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work
profession accountable. It socializes practitioners new to the field to social work's
mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.
The main differences I conceived between the guidelines of NOSHE and that of Reamers book
are, the Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals are a code of ethics or
standard of conduct. For example Guideline number one states, Human service professionals
negotiate with clients the purpose, goals, and nature of the helping relationship prior
to its onset as well as inform clients of the limitations of the proposed relationship.
Reamers book, what I have read so far (three chapters), has given me an understanding of
the complexity in resolving Ethical Dilemmas; Through this understanding of the
complexity and theories found in the book, and through practice of given cases, the human
services professional can develop the tools to make difficult decisions when dealing with
social issues or dilemmas. Only through Education, training and practice can the human
services workers develop the skills needed to meet the needs of their clients and well
being of the community. The ethical guidelines in the NOSHE and theories presented by
both Reamers in his book, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service give guidelines and
standards of conduct, which the human service professionals and educators may consider in
ethical and professional decision-making. These guidelines are of great assistance when
human service professionals are challenged by difficult ethical dilemmas.
Human service professionals as well as those who educate them, regardless of whether they
are students, faculty or practitioners, promote and encourage the unique values and
characteristics of human services. In so doing human service professionals and educators
uphold the integrity and ethics of the profession. Understanding the Theories of Ethical
Dilemmas set down in Reamers, Ethical Dilemmas in Social Service, and following the
guidelines set down in NOHSE Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals could
greatly enhance the human service professional ability to resolve Ethical Dilemmas in the
communities and agencies in which they work, and in addition enhance their own
professional growth
References
The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers; NOHSE, The Purposes of
NOHSE; Ethical Dilemmas in Social Services, by Frederic G. Reamer
Bibliography
by Steve Dunn