Social Work: An Authority-Based Profession

Abstract

Although social work is flourishing by many outward signs, such as the increased number of schools of social work, it is argued that this growth has not honored obligations in our code of ethics, for example to inform clients, to empower them, and to offer competent services. A great disconnect continues between what we say we do and value and what we actually do. Change in this pattern will be encouraged by increased client access to information over the Internet and the evidence-based practice movement, which encourages transparency of what is done and to what effect, and involvement of clients as informed participants in decisions that affect their lives.