Ethics in social work

Abstract

The subject which I have chosen to write about is 'Ethics in social work' and my dissertation will deal mostly with social work as it is practiced in Malta. The study revolves around three questionnaires which were administered to social work students, to social workers and to social work clients. The feminine pronoun will be used when referring to all three categories because most of the people involved in the field of social work are women. This first chapter will serve as an introduction to the subject. In the second chapter the students' responses will be analyzed. From these, the five ethical dilemmas most detrimental to social work practice as observed by the students will emerge. These ethical dilemmas will be elaborated upon individually in the third chapter and in this process reference will be made to the responses of the social workers and their clients. The fourth chapter will be the concluding one and in it the information will be drawn together and the resulting recommendations about the practice of social work in Malta will be made.