4.2 The importance of the practice context

Dilemmas for practice can also arise where there are perceived to be competing rights. Are some rights more important than others? In work with children and families, for instance, there can be a tension between the right to privacy and state powers in relation to child protection.

There are few ‘right’ answers in social work, and neither the law nor an understanding of social work values can give you the ‘right’ answer. Social workers must learn to exercise professional judgement, which is informed by knowledge of the law and the process of intervention, and underpinned by an understanding of, and a commitment to, social work values. Social workers must therefore continually reflect on their own values and beliefs and determine whether and how these values have had an impact on their professional judgement.