Practising ethically during Covid-19: social work challenges and responses

Banks, S.; Cai, T.; de Jonge, E.; Shears, J.; Shum, M.; Sobočan, A.M.; Strom, K.; Truell, R.; Úriz, M.J.; Weinberg, M.

Abstract

This article draws on findings of an international study of social workers’ ethical challenges during COVID-19, based on 607 responses to a qualitative survey. Ethical challenges included the following: maintaining trust, privacy, dignity and service user autonomy in remote relationships; allocating limited resources; balancing rights and needs of different parties; deciding whether to break or bend policies in the interests of service users; and handling emotions and ensuring care of self and colleagues. The article considers regional contrasts, the ‘ethical logistics’ of complex decision-making, the impact of societal inequities, and lessons for social workers and professional practice around the globe.

Citation

Banks, S., Cai, T., de Jonge, E., Shears, J., Shum, M., Sobočan, A., Strom, K., Truell, R., Úriz, M., & Weinberg, M. (2020). Practising ethically during Covid-19: social work challenges and responses. International Social Work, 63(5), 569-583. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820949614

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 23, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 20, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 21, 2020
• Journal: International Social Work
• Print ISSN: 0020-8728
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7234
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 569-583
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820949614
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1296828