The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, available as a PDF document, outlines the ethical principles and values that guide the professional conduct of social workers. An example of the Code of Ethics in practice is a social worker ensuring informed consent from clients before proceeding with any interventions.
The NASW Code of Ethics is essential for social workers as it provides a framework for ethical decision-making in complex and diverse situations. Its historical development includes the formation of the NASW in 1955 and the adoption of the first Code of Ethics in 1960.