Ethical Integration of Faith and Practice in Social Work Field Education: A Multi-Year Exploration in One Program

Abstract

Abstract:The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) prescribes competencies and professional behaviors for social work educational programs. Respective, individual programs may add program competencies and practice behaviors specific to their schools and universities. The study examines one program's field education measurement of the additional competency: The ethical integration of faith and practice and behaviors related to clients, students, and practicum sites. More than 600 BSW and MSW students' final field evaluations over a five-year period were examined for grades and for evidence of each of the faith and practice behaviors. Findings include students' emphasis on their own ethics including use of supervision and honoring clients' faith perspectives, students' recognition of faith as strength and resource for clients; and students' recording of the importance of agency context policies in the integration of faith and practice. Grades on the faith and practice competency were essentially equivalent to final field evaluation overall grades.

Are the Profession’s Education Standards Promoting the Religious Literacy Required for Twenty-First Century Social Work Practice?

“…Furthermore, when educational guidelines concerning religion and beliefs are characterised by a lack of clarity and specificity (Leka et al, 2011) they are open to interpretation by individual programme providers and educators, who might provide much less input on topics than had been the intention of those drafting the guidelines. Conversely, some education providers, particularly those which have a religious foundation, may have developed their own standards as to content involving religion and beliefs which are far more extensive than required under their accreditation (Harris et al, 2017). Secular providers of social work education also often provide in excess of what is stipulated (Moss, 2003).…”

Prácticas profesionales y Trabajo Social. Una revisión de la literatura en educación superior

“…On the other hand, Harris, Yancey, Myers, Deimler, and Walden (2017), state that there should be concern about the flexibility of the curriculum in the training of social workers, given that some higher education institutions have incorporated religious beliefs, which they declare explicitly. In the opinion of Sherwood (2012), it is important to appreciate people's beliefs and values (regardless of their creed), as this should allow a better approach to social problems, based on their own views and experiences.…”

“…In this regard, these authors stated that social work programs have not generally included this area in their training curricula, leaving future professionals unprepared in this respect and without the competencies to deal with their beliefs and/or those of the users. Similarly, Harris et al (2017) underscore that the initial training of social workers prepares students to apply knowledge and skills, but a profession that values the comprehensive attention of individuals and selfdetermination should include religious beliefs in professional practice, maintaining ethical limits.…”