Australian Association of Social Workers
Encyclopedia
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia
. It was formed in 1946 at the federal level, although a number of state branches had formed prior to this. The AASW created a code of ethics that governs the conduct of social workers and promotes the interests of social workers in Australia.
The Australian Association of Social Workers has a commitment to the international social work community, and is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers
(IFSW).
The document presents three core values (as opposed to five previously) that give rise to general and specific ethical responsibilities.
They are further explained as below
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was formed in 1946 at the federal level, although a number of state branches had formed prior to this. The AASW created a code of ethics that governs the conduct of social workers and promotes the interests of social workers in Australia.
The Australian Association of Social Workers has a commitment to the international social work community, and is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers
International Federation of Social Workers
The International Federation of Social Workers is an international professional organization for social workers. The society consists of 84 national chapters, divided into five regional groups, and has over 480,000 members...
(IFSW).
Journal
The AASW publishes the quarterly journal Australian Social Work. It publishes research and thinking by social workers on political, economic and social policies and programs and on professional practice and education. It is a professionally edited and refereed journal, led by a national committee of practitioners and academics.AASW Code of Ethics
The AASW code of ethics is a document for social workers in Australia created to guide and assist in reaching professional goals. It identifies core values and ethics to provide a guide for ethical and accountable practice.The document presents three core values (as opposed to five previously) that give rise to general and specific ethical responsibilities.
They are further explained as below
- Respect for Persons - Every human being is important and unique. Every person has the right to self-determination, self-fulfilment and wellbeing. Social work practice promotes justice and personal responsibility with consideration to the rights of those around them.
- Social justiceSocial justiceSocial justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
- Social work practice should promote fairness and social justice in any society, taking special considerations for those marginalised. It also encourages the advocating of societal change eliminating oppression towards those who are vulnerable.
- Professional integrity - The social work profession values honesty, transparency, reliability, empathy, reflective self-awareness, discernment, competence and commitment. This value is concerned with professional conduct, acting with dignity and commitment to life-long development as a professional.
Accreditation of Social Workers
The AASW oversees an accreditation process for members in order to ensure and promote competency in social work practice. The process consists of a mix of research, supervision and training.See also
- Social workSocial workSocial Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
- Professional Social Workers' AssociationProfessional Social Workers' AssociationThe Professional Social Workers' Association is an association of Indian / Tamil Nadu social work professionals, headquartered at Chennai. It is a legally registered entity, formerly known as "Professional Social Workers' Forum" ....
- Accredited Social WorkerAccredited Social WorkerAccredited Social Workers are Australian graduate social workers who are committed to continuing professional education in a manner recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers...