4.4 The role of professional judgement

An ethical approach is one where the social work relationship with the legal framework takes account of social work skills and values. The existence of the legal framework does not mean that there is no need to exercise professional judgement and discretion. Such judgement is crucial and must be informed by the wider knowledge base, values and skills of social work practice (Stevenson, 1988). Sometimes practitioners may only have limited discretion in making decisions; at other times they may have considerable discretion. Social work practice is based on assessments of situations and decisions about strategies to be adopted. Tension may arise between the law and social work value; in such situations the law provides the framework or boundaries for practice.