Ethics and Challenges in Social Services WorkLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The student

• is familiar with the value base of social welfare
• understands the importance of values and ethical foundations in social welfare and is able to apply ethical concepts and principles in professional practice
• understands the diversity of values and ethical perspectives and can critically assess the justification of various ethical decisions in social service work
• recognises the importance of professional ethics in social welfare, commits to the ethical principles of social welfare professionals and is able to act in accordance with them
• understands the ethical issues related to documentation in client work
• can anticipate and respond to challenging and potentially threatening client situations
• understands the importance of client safety
• is able to reflect on their professional conduct, emotions and occupational well-being.

Content

• Values and professional ethics in social welfare

• Ethical thinking and problem-solving

• Concepts and theoretical foundations of ethics

• Ethical principles of social welfare professionals

• Ethics in client work documentation

• Supporting and restricting self-determination

• Challenging and threatening client situations, client safety

• The role and management of emotions in social services

• Professional empathy

• Occupational safety and well-being

• Professional vocabulary and key expressions related to the topic in Finnish

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Framework of assessment is attached in the curriculum's description.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Framework of assessment is attached in the curriculum's description.

Further information

Passing the course is a prerequisite for Work Placement and Language Internship 2 - Professional client work in social services. For students with Finnish as a second language, completing the course requires participation in the entire semester of Finnish in Social Services instruction.